Modern clothes dryers are loaded with settings and features. With so many options, choosing the right setting for your laundry can be confusing!
Here, we’ll try to explain what each setting does and how you can use it to get the most out of your dryer.
- Air Fluff/Air Dry: This is the simplest cycle in terms of technology, but it’s one of the most mystifying when it comes to your clothes. The air dry cycle doesn’t use heat to dry clothes. In fact, if you’re looking to dry your clothes at all, this is not the setting you should use. It’s mostly useful for fluffing pillows, removing lint and pet hair, and refreshing fabrics throughout your home.
- Delicate/Gentle: This cycle is used mostly for thin, loosely-woven fabrics. It uses a low-heat setting to keep high-performing fabrics looking their best. For any clothing with embellishment (embroidery, iron-on accents) or lace, or any silk or rayon fabrics, this is the best cycle.
- Regular: The regular cycle uses high heat to dry clothes quickly. It can make colors fade and damage more delicate or high-performing fabrics. It’s recommended that this cycle be used to dry sweatpants, jeans, cottons, and sheets, along with any pure white laundry that you have.
- Heavy: Much like the regular cycle, the heavy cycle uses high heat, but usually much more aggressively. This is great for heavier laundry items, like bath towels, but shouldn’t be used for most other fabrics.
- Permanent Press: Permanent press uses a medium heat setting to prevent wrinkles. It is recommended for nearly everything you wear that isn’t delicate or made of cotton. Button-down shirts, blouses, slacks, jackets, dresses, and other outerwear do well in a permanent press cycle. It’s great for most synthetic fabrics.
- Steam: The steam cycle is available on most modern dryers. It works best for freshening your clothes but doesn’t dry well. For this reason, it should be used when clothes aren’t ready to be washed yet but need some refreshing. It can also help prevent wrinkles if you’re going to be leaving clothes in the dryer after the cycle is complete.
Remember that if a garment has specific instructions on the tag, you should attempt to follow those instructions first and foremost. Otherwise, use this quick and easy guide to determine which setting should be used for your laundry.
Any questions or concerns about your washer, dryer, or other appliances? Contact All Brands Appliance Repair in the Wilmington area today!
