There are two ways to dry your freshly washed laundry. You can either put it in the clothes dryer or hang it up on the drying rack. What is better for your laundry?
In addition to your personal preferences, your living situation and available space also play a role. Not everyone owns a clothes dryer (also referred to as a tumble dryer, heat pump dryer, or condenser dryer called) or a long clothesline in the garden.
The material of the clothing is also a key factor in whether it should be air-dried or machine-dried.
But if you have a choice, there are clear pros and cons.
We break down the pros and cons of tumble dryers and drying racks for you.
In the summer, laundry dries in no time out in the sun and smells wonderfully fresh. In the fall, this is far more time-consuming, and the weather is unpredictable — so to be on the safe side, toss it in the dryer. What other pros and cons are there to consider?
Benefits of hanging laundry
Save money: Since hanging your laundry to dry uses no electricity, you save on energy costs and therefore also save money.Protect the environment: As a result, this variant is also far more environmentally friendly.
Gentle on clothes: Your clothes also experience less wear and stay looking beautiful for longer.
Iron-free: If you take the time to hang up your laundry carefully, you will save yourself having to iron later.
Where there are advantages, there are also disadvantages.
Disadvantages of Hanging Laundry to Dry
Time-consuming You do save electricity, but hanging up the laundry takes up a lot of time.Space intensive: Laundry takes up space. If you only have a small drying area or a clothes drying rack inside your apartment, you are severely limited.
Risk of mold: Anyone who dries laundry indoors must ventilate regularly to remove excess moisture.
Pollen hazard: Allergy sufferers are better off not hanging their laundry outside. Pollen can remain trapped in clothing.
Clothes Dryer Benefits
Drying with the bluu balls: You save electricity, time, and as a result money. You can also skip using fabric softener entirely. Why? More on that, here on the blog.
Efficient: Having to hang up laundry is a downside of other options, but this one has a clear advantage: load your laundry, press the button, and you're done.
Space-savingThe tumbler sits securely in its intended position and takes up no extra space, whether placed in your garden or inside your home.
Fast: Whether it's winter, summer, rain, or sunshine — your laundry dries quickly and hassle-free.
Cozy: The laundry out of the dryer is soft, pleasantly fragrant, and cozy.
Disadvantages of Clothes Dryers
Power consumers: Your tumble dryer guzzles electricity and money.Harmful to the environment: This is definitely the worse option for your sustainable lifestyle.
Incoming: Not all fabrics are suitable for the dryer — some can shrink, which is really annoying.
Loss of quality: Wear and tear on clothing from regular dryer-Higher usage. The clothing may develop lint or holes.
Of course, you get to decide for yourself which factors are most important to you.
What else do you need to keep in mind when drying laundry? We'll give you some Tips
Pay attention to the label
Before you put a garment in the dryer, you should pay attention to the care symbols on the label. Not all fabrics are suitable for tumble drying, and some may shrink or get damaged.
Do you see this symbol: Laundry can go in the dryer.
Special fabrics and clothing
You should not machine dry delicate textiles, as their fibers could become damaged. Garments made from synthetic fibers also do not tolerate heat well and may melt.
This must absolutely never go in the tumble dryer:
- Silk, cashmere, pure wool and viscose
- Synthetic fibers such as polyamide or polyacrylic
- Tights, bras and lingerie
- Printed T-Shirts
- Socks with plastic grip dots
- Bath mat with rubber backing
As a general rule, you should always hang expensive, high-quality clothing, as this is gentler on the fabric.
Bed and bath linens
As a rule of thumb: Any laundry you can wash at 60 degrees will also dry perfectly well in the tumble dryer. It will even come out beautifully fluffy.
This can safely go in the tumble dryer:
- Bed linen
- Bath and hand towels
- Kitchen and cleaning cloths
- socks
- cotton underwear
Sustainable Laundry with bluu
The bluu Laundry Detergent Sheets are the next-generation eco-friendly laundry detergents, delivered right to your doorstep. Readily biodegradable, plastic-free, and exceptionally gentle on both your laundry and skin.
And through our bluu balls the dryer cycle finishes faster, so you save electricity and money. In addition, these dryer balls are free of chemicals and fragrances, making them more eco-friendly than, for example, dryer sheets.
Order online now and benefit. Free shipping and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Jeans
Most jeans used to be made from pure cotton and could safely go in the dryer without any issues. Today, however, they often contain acrylic and elastane, so be sure to check the product label for any included washing instructions as well.
- Pure cotton: Tumble dryer safe
- Synthetic fibers such as acrylic or polyester: Do not dry
- High stretch content: Prone to shrinkage, do not tumble dry.
- Ripped Jeans: Risk of tearing, do not dry
Need to get things done quickly? You can tumble dry your jeans on low heat and a gentle cycle for a maximum of 30 minutes, take them out while still slightly damp, and hang them on a clothesline to finish drying.
The right program
Newer dryer models have a wide range of programs tailored to each specific load of laundry. Look for a low drying temperature and select the correct program.
Energy consumption is higher for a full load of towels than it is for a full load of cotton underwear. This way, you can not only protect your laundry, but also reduce your electricity usage.
Do you need more Tips related to the topic of Laundry? You can find more posts here.
