ok so when i dry my clothes after washing them, some of them shrink. how can i stop this? should i just air dry them? is it okay to air dry them on a hanger in my closet? (not touching other clothes, of course)& if i do that, i should leave the closet door open right? and maybe point a fan in front of it..?
please help and tell me what you think of my ideas!
thanks!
2006-07-24 17:45:05 · 7 answers · asked by here2help 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
my dryer does have low heat but it says:
DELICATES
low heat
can i use it on other thigs than delicates?
is that the best to use?
2006-07-24 17:51:12 · update #1
my parents tell me to pour something in the washer on the rinse cycle that makes it un-staticy. does that help the clothes get soft too?
2006-07-24 17:54:17 · update #2
Check if the dryer has a low-heat setting. It's the heat that shrinks clothes. So if it has a low-heat or cool cycle setting, try using that one.
You can air dry them if you want, but they won't be as soft. If that's still ok, try hanging them on door frames around the house rather than in the closet. That's what we did for a couple weeks when our dryer broke. If you do put them in the closet, definately leave the door open or all the moisture will get trapped in the closet and they won't dry very well. The fan is probably a good idea. But check the dryer for alternate settings first.
Cotton is the only fabric that really shrinks that much. So maybe air-dry any cotton or cotton-blend clothes. But stuff that's polyester or anything can be put in the dryer without a problem. Read the tags if you can for directions.
Good luck.
Just read your additional details: Yes, you can use the Delicates cycle for other things. I don't reccomend using it for anything heavy (like jeans or quilts) or filling it up quite as much as a regular load, but it doesn't need to be just delicate items (bras, pantyhose, etc), it can be anything.
I usually just use dryer sheets in the dryer to make the clothes unstaticy. The Fabric Softener that you pour in the washer doesn't really do a whole lot for static because the static builds up as the clothes rub against one another in the dryer.
2006-07-24 17:49:07 · answer #1 · answered by chica_zarca 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some great advantages to drying clothes in fresh air: no extra energy costs, fabrics last longer when not dried in a dryer, stains are not set by the heat of a dryer, clothes dry looking wrinkle free on hangers and clothes don't shrink when air dried. Beware of hot water washing which also shrinks. For drying, I use a black chain that is nearly invisible and hanging from the links keeps clothing apart. Fresh air is the best but if you have to dry in an enclosed area like a closet use a fan to promote good air circulation.
2006-07-25 01:13:58 · answer #2 · answered by murphy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the washing machine also shrinks clothes especially if you use hot or warm water. I always wash my clothes on cold (except for underwear and socks) and either hang dry them, or dry them on a flat surface. I hang dry all of my heavy cotton clothing like t-shirts, pants, jeans, etc. But if it's something knitted or laced, I lay it on a flat surface so that the water will evaporate evenly instead of bulking at the bottom and stretching it lengthwise.
When I hang dry my clothes, I hang them on the guest bathroom shower curtain rod and I make sure there's at least 5 inches between each hanger. The closet is ok too if it's a walk-in closet and you leave the door open. But if it's a normal size closet the walls will prevent the water from evaporating fast enough and the clothes will smell sour.
2006-07-25 01:01:24 · answer #3 · answered by TrippingJudy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always had this problem.
Most people will choose to just dry them on the dryer since its the fastest way
Well im the type of guy that likes to wear tight shirts (nothing homosexual) just a bit prep you know. So i usually go for the size S which fit regularly; since im a skinny guy.
little did i know after a couple washes my shirts looked like they belonged to a 5 year old toddler; and spended much money on good Armani Exchange, Express, Abercrombrie shirts.
Sooo.. I buy M shirts; and i dry them on the dryer; and they end up becoming an S.. after several washes, they wont be able to shrink no more; I mean if they did? we would be having barbie clothes right?.. so yeah just buy them a size ahead.
Or.. you could just air dry them, they wont shrink like that
2006-07-25 00:54:29 · answer #4 · answered by smithelliott 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wash colored clothes in cold water, not hot. Take clothes out of dryer before they are completely dry. (heat of dryer will shrink clothes) and hang on hanger. Do not air dry them in your closet. In the summertime, all my laundry, dries on a clothesline. I only use my dryer in the winter.
2006-07-25 00:55:17 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wash cloths in cold water. I always hang good cloths up to air dry, I hang them in the bathroom on the shower curtain rod. I would not hang them in the closet to dry.
2006-07-25 21:12:02 · answer #6 · answered by Sandra♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dry shrinkable clothes in the dryer for 3 minutes and hang to finish. If you forget and leave them in, wet them and hang to dry.
2006-07-25 10:17:12 · answer #7 · answered by greenfrogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋