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Sorting
Always sort loads for drying according to the type of
textile (check the care labels) and how much you want to
dry them. Load items loosely into the drum. Do up zip
fasteners and tie loose ribbons, tapes or fabric belts.
Close any tapes or fasteners on duvet covers and pillow
cases to prevent smaller items from getting trapped
inside.
Spinning (water extraction)
Loads should be well spun. The higher the spin speed,
the faster your tumble dryer will dry the load, and the
more energy-efficient the whole process will be. Do not
tumble dry dripping wet garments.
Getting the load size right
An overloaded tumble dryer will cause creasing. Drying
loads which are too small is uneconomical.
Fluff
The first time you use the tumble dryer, you will
probably be surprised at the amount of fluff produced.
This is perfectly normal, and does not mean that your
tumble dryer is wearing out your clothes. When
garments are worn and washed by hand or machine,
fibres and fluff are released, but remain on the surface of
the material. If dried outdoors on a line these fibres will
be blown away by the wind. In a tumble dryer the fluff is
collected in the filter and accumulates through the drying
process.
Shrinkage
To avoid shrinking, garments should not be overdried.
Always check the care labels on your fabrics.
Items which should not be tumble
dried
Items which are especially delicate, such as curtains of
synthetic fabric, woollen garments, silk, textiles with a
metal component, nylon socks/stockings.Garments made
mostly from foam rubber or rubber-like materials must
NOT be dried in the tumble dryer.
Obviously, you must not dry garments in the
machine which are unsuitable for tumble
drying. These are usually labelled with this
symbol.
Garments which have been treated with
flammable liquids (benzine, alcohol, stain
removal products) should not be dried in the
tumble dryer on account of the risk of fire.
Always follow the recommendations of the
garment/item manufacturer.
Tumble drying beneficial
Do not tumble dry
Dry flat
General washing and drying information