Checklist before you dry

Short answer: Shake each item out, check whether it can go in the dryer, leave space between items, and dry knitwear flat. These four points decide whether you need to iron afterwards and whether the clothes keep their shape. It takes about a minute extra once the machine is empty.

Shake before you hang

Clothes coming out of the machine are pressed together by the spin. Hold each item by the shoulders or waistband and give it two or three firm shakes. That opens the creases, so the weight of the water pulls out the rest as it dries. An item hung up crumpled dries in exactly that shape. See bamboo underwear for men.

Check the care label

Before anything goes in the tumble dryer, look at the care label. The symbol with a square and a circle shows whether it can be tumble dried, and a cross over it means no. If in doubt, let it dry in the air. An item that dries a little slower comes to no harm, while one that got too hot rarely recovers.

Knitwear and elastic prefer air

Knitwear and anything with elastic should dry in the air. Dryer heat can make elastic lose its stretch, and knitwear can shrink or turn uneven. This matters most for waistbands, ribbed edges and cuffs. Put these items on a drying rack or lay them on a towel, and give them the time they need. See bamboo sweat clothes.

Dry knitwear flat

Hanging knitwear gets stretched by the weight of the water. Wet knit is heavy, and on a hanger or a line the weight gathers at the shoulders and the hem. The length rarely comes back once it has stretched. Lay the item flat on a rack or a towel instead, smooth it into shape and turn it later.

Leave space between items

Air needs to move around every item. When clothes hang close together they dry slowly, and whatever takes longest can pick up a musty smell. Leave a couple of fingers of space between items on the rack. If you have more laundry than room, drying in two rounds works better than squeezing everything in.

Hang it the right way

Dark clothes are best dried inside out, especially in daylight. The inside takes the exposure and the outer colour lasts longer. Hang underwear by the waistband so the fabric falls freely, and socks by the toe so water runs out of the leg. Small habits like these keep clothes looking better for longer.

Place and time matter

Clothes dry fastest where air can move. Indoors, an open window or a well aired room helps. Near a radiator it goes quicker, but the fabric should not lie directly on the heat. Outdoors, wind is often more effective than sun, and strong sun can fade colours over time. See all clothing for men.

Take it down in time

Once the clothes are dry, take them down and fold them. Left hanging, they collect dust and can turn stiff. Folding straight away, while they are still smooth from drying, usually means no ironing. Check seams and waistbands with your hand, since those are the last places to dry.

Frequently asked questions

What should you check before drying

Whether the item can be tumble dried, that it has been shaken out, that there is space around it, and that knitwear lies flat. Then clothes keep their shape.

Why should knitwear dry flat

Because wet knit is heavy. On a hanger the weight pulls it longer, and the length does not come back. Lying flat on a rack, it keeps its shape.

How much space should there be between items

Enough for the air to move around. Clothes hung tightly dry slowly and may start to smell before they are dry. A couple of fingers of space is a good start.