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Drying Guide
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Bedspreads
Choose heat for the type fabric used. Dry one double or two single spreads at once. Chenille and
tufted spreads will shed lint and should be dried alone. New spreads will contain loose lint. Tumble
new spreads on NO HEAT setting before washing to remove loose lint. These spreads may be dried
completely.
Blankets
Electric
DELICATE or NO HEAT cycles. If the manufacturer recommends drying the blanket in the dryer, follow
the “Wool” instructions below. Do not stretch the blanket because of the wiring. Some electric blankets
may have insulation on the thermostats or on the wiring which will not withstand dryer heat. Do not dry
in dryer unless the blanket manufacturer says it can be done.
Synthetic Fibers
DELICATE or NO HEAT cycles. Some of these blankets are fluffy and will shed lint. Tumble on NO
HEAT setting before washing to remove loose lint. Use a gentle wash method, then dry in dryer until
just dry. The lint filter may need to be cleaned during the drying.
Thermal
Cotton
AUTOMATIC REGULAR cycle.
Wool
Agitation and tumbling contribute to the shrinkage and felting of wool. We cannot guarantee that wool
will not shrink. However, if care is taken and the blanket manufacturer’s instructions are followed,
satisfactory results should be obtained. Wash by the soak method with as little agitation as possible.
After washing, stretch blanket gently in both directions. Use approximately five dry bath towels and
place them between folds in blanket. This will "cushion” it to lessen the tumbling. Set dryer for 20
minutes on the TIME DRY cycle. Use REGULAR heat setting, if it is available on your dryer. Check
blanket when timer reaches 10. Wool blankets must be removed from the dryer when damp. Stretch
gently to shape and finish drying over two clotheslines or in a flat position.
Quilts
Choose heat and cycle for fabric. Filling and cover must be completely washable. Old quilts may be too
fragile to machine wash or dry. Quilts filled with cotton may become lumpy. Quilting should be close
together. Remove from dryer slightly damp and stretch gently to shape. Quilted articles may shrink if
over dried.
Mattress Pads
Material in mattress pads is made of either cotton or synthetic fibers. Read fiber content label, found on
your mattress pad, to determine what type of fiber was used to manufacture the pad. READ AND
CAREFULLY FOLLOW the fabric care instructions supplied by the mattress pad manufacturer. Some
pads made of synthetic fibers are very heat sensitive. These pads can be flammable if over-heated or
over-dried. TO AVOID A FIRE HAZARD, DO NOT OVER-DRY mattress pads. Remove pads from the
dryer while they are still damp.
Slip Covers
Choose heat for fabric. Close zippers. Dry one couch cover, two chair covers or five or six pillow covers
at one time. Remove from dryer when slightly damp. Press pleats if necessary and replace on furniture
immediately. Stretch fabrics and knits should be dried completely so they will fit snugly when replaced
on furniture.
Pillows
Feather and
Down-Filled
Ticking must be strong and seams secure. If in doubt, sew pillow into a case or use a zippered
pillowcase to prevent feathers from coming out. After washing, shake pillow to fluff feathers. Dry one
large or two smaller pillows. Use TIME DRY cycle. Use LOW or MEDIUM heat setting if it is available
on you dryer. Shake and reposition pillows several times during drying. Pillows must be dry in the
center to prevent mildew. Drying may take two hours or longer. Reset dryer timer if necessary. The
odor of wet feathers is not pleasant. However, the odor will disappear once the pillows dry.
Fiber-Filled
(polyester)
Follow manufacturer’s directions.
Foam Rubber
Do not dry in the dryer.
Curtains
Cotton
AUTOMATIC REGULAR or TIME DRY cycles. Remove damp items for ironing or dry completely, then
steam iron.
Fiberglass
DO NOT DRY IN THE DRYER unless recommended by the manufacturer. Fiberglass may shred.
Particles may remain in the dryer and rub off on the next load. This could irritate the skin. “Beta”
fiberglass may be dried in the dryer if recommended by the manufacturer.
Synthetic
Fibers
DELICATE or NO HEAT cycles. Allow room for tumbling to prevent wrinkling. Delicate or sheer
curtains must be dried by themselves so they will not be snagged by hooks or crushed by other clothes
in the load. Some sheer curtains are heat sensitive. Dry 10 minutes only, plus the cool down period.
Remove from dryer immediately and hang. If the dryer has been heated from a previous load, NO
HEAT setting may be sufficient.
Draperies
Remove hooks and weights before washing. Choose heat for fabric and allow space in the dryer for
tumbling. Some draperies may be removed when slightly damp and hung immediately. Lined draperies
should be dry-cleaned because they have a tendency to pucker.
