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Drying and ironing - Dry, fresh and fluffy

Different fabrics require different treatment when they are dried, just like when they are washed. Spin-drying removes a lot of the water fast without using a lot of energy, so all you need to do is hang the garment up, tumble dry it or dry it flat.


Tumble dryers

Most garments can be tumble dried, since you can choose from a range of programs and times. It’s a fast and easy way to dry your laundry. Many people believe (wrongly) that garments get more worn by tumble drying, because so much lint gathers in the filter. The truth is that your clothes suffer more wear while they are being worn by you! The reason for all the lint in the filter is that the dryer is very effective at filtering out the small fibres that have come loose from your garments before they went into the dryer. If you dry your clothes any other way, these loose fibres remain on the garment and just drop off somewhere else in the house.

Shrinkage

Another myth is that tumble drying shrinks your clothes. Some fabrics shrink in the first few washes. In which case, it doesn’t matter if you hang them up outside or inside, or tumble dry them. What happens in the dryer is that all this shrinkage takes place at once.  Just make sure you use the dryer's programs correctly, and your clothes will stay fresh and neat for longer. Drying at a lower temperature for longer is generally better than a higher temperature for a shorter time. And – as always – read the care label!

Smooth and crease-free

The final stage in your laundry process is, of course, making your clothes, tablecloths or sheets smooth and crease-free. You can do this in various ways.

Ironing
The care label will generally tell you if a garment can be ironed or not and at what temperature. Your iron also has settings for different fabrics and temperatures. It's particularly important to follow these settings for silk, wool and synthetics. Otherwise you risk burning an unsightly hole in your garment! Some fabrics are best ironed slightly damp, such as linen napkins and tea towels, while others should be dry.

Tips and tricks

  • Air more. Does that shirt stink of smoke? Is the smell of last night’s dinner still clinging to your favorite sweater? Washing clothes wears out the fabric. Sometimes it’s enough to air the garment rather than washing it.

  • Fresh air. Drying sheets and clothes outdoors when the weather permits is clearly the most energy-efficient method to dry your laundry. And the smell of clothes dried in the fresh air is a bonus. So if you have the space, the opportunity, and no allergies – dry your laundry outdoors!

  • Prevent yellowing. White wool turns yellowish in the sun.So never dry white wool in the sunlight.