Laundry Items You Should Always Avoid Drying On High Heat

We all know there are things you should never dry in your dryer, like stuffed animals, bras, and rubber mats. But did you know there are laundry items, like leather, silk, and other textiles, that you should always avoid drying on high heat? High-heat dryer cycles use hotter temperatures to dry items — ranging from 135 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the model — making them better suited for heavier fabrics, like denim, jackets, and towels. But for more delicate or sensitive textiles, the intense heat can cause them to warp, shrink, or completely fall apart.

While adjusting the dryer heat level might feel like extra work, it's worth it to ensure everything comes out of the laundry in one cleaner piece than when it went in. And if you don't know all the dryer settings like the back of your hand, don't worry. Just keep in mind that timed dry and automatic cycles typically use high heat, so skip those unless you're doing a load of towels or deep washing the winter coats before putting them into storage.

So which textiles should you avoid popping into the dryer and turning on high? Delicate fabrics, like silk and lace, are likely not a surprise. Silk could lose its famous texture, and lace's signature delicate nature will likely wear down and eventually break in hot dryers. That means the best way to care for your silk pillowcases and those heirloom lace doilies is most likely to skip the dryer.

Wool — especially heirlooms and fragile knits — is also not generally a fan of high heat, causing it to lose its shape and flexibility. Other animal textiles like leather and suede are also susceptible to damage from high heat cycles. Leather is especially sensitive to heat, which can make it fragile, misshapen, or even cause the pigment to fade. Faux leather doesn't fare much better, as the high-heat dryer cycle could cause the textile to distort.

As for manufactured fabrics, spandex, elastic, and any type of stretchy workout gear should skip the hot dry cycle. Excessive heat can actually cause these materials to warp or even melt. Polyester, used for workout clothes as well as everyday pieces, is also susceptible to heat. It can lose its shape or even shrink in size. So how do you know what can be put in the dryer and on what heat setting? Check the care tag. The laundry codes will help you know how to clean everything the right way.