Most families have a tumble dryer in their homes or one that is readily accessible to them. Dryers are an incredibly convenient and efficient method of drying fabrics within minutes; however, it is important to be aware of what items and fabrics should never be tumble-dried.

Before purchasing items that will need to be washed eventually, be sure to take note of the care instructions on the tag and be sure to follow those instructions to avoid wasting money and ruining that item or fabric!

5 Items That Are Safe For The Dryer

1. Denim – It is no surprise that jeans and denim were made to withstand heat and are extremely durable in most conditions. This makes using a tumble dryer completely acceptable for your favorite pair of jeans! 
2. Cotton – While it is possible that your favorite t-shirt may come out of the dryer a size smaller than it went in, it is unlikely when dried on a lower temperature. Other cotton items such as hoodies, towels, and heavier cotton shirts are completely safe to dry on medium to high temperatures. 
3. Bedding – After checking the care label to ensure your specific bedding is safe to dry, toss it right in your dryer so you can get your freshly cleaned sheets back on the bed before bedtime. Drying your bedding is also beneficial in that the heat will help kill any dust mites that may be lingering behind! Check out more on bedding care from our blog here.
4. Polyester Blends – When dried at a low temperature, fabrics made of polyester blends are completely safe to use in your dryer. Polyester tends to dry quite quickly so it’s always best to choose a short drying time to avoid unnecessary heat exposure. 
5. Acrylic – Known for its use as a wool and cashmere alternative, acrylic fabrics can safely be used in the dryer. Be sure to use a low temperature setting since acrylic is known to permanently wrinkle when exposed to high temperatures.

5 Items to Avoid Putting in the Dryer

1. Wool/Cashmere – Although wool and cashmere are some of the most luxurious fabrics especially for their warmth in the winter, these two fabrics do require much care and attention for washing and drying. These items should be air-dried to avoid heat damage and shrinking. 
2. Spandex – Most athletic wear is made using spandex, and should never be put in the dryer. You may not notice any damage right away; however, when dried, spandex completely dries out and becomes brittle. This, in turn, will cause your spandex items to lose their stretch and ultimately become unusable. Thankfully, this fabric is known for its fast-drying capabilities so you shouldn’t have to wait too long to enjoy your favorite pair of leggings again! For more information on caring for your activewear, checkout our blog here.
3. Rubber – You may be tempted to toss your freshly washed sneakers or that clean bathroom rug into your dryer for convenience; however, if it contains rubber, you’ll want to steer clear of putting them in the dryer. When dried, rubber tends to shrink and will become deformed rendering these items essentially unusable. 
4. Silk – Pure silk is an extremely versatile and luxurious fabric that has become quite popular. You may be tempted to throw your silk pillowcase in the dryer with your other bedding, but it is important to refrain from doing so. Because of its delicate nature, silk is easy to burn when it is exposed to heat; therefore, it is best to air dry only! 
5. Dry- Cleaned Items – Items that have previously been dry-cleaned contain certain chemicals that can release toxic gas when exposed to the heat from your dryer. These fumes can cause severe damage to your dryer, so you’ll want to continue dry cleaning those particular items.

Now that you’re familiar with what can and can’t be put into your dryer, we hope you can be confident that you’re properly caring for items you spent hard-earned money on! For an extra softening boost and static-free cycle, try our fabric softening dryer sheets or our wool dryer balls!

It’s Sweater Weather – that wonderful time of the year when you can snuggle up in your favorite chunky sweater and hang out with family around the campfire for Thanksgiving or throw on your favorite cardigan to go shopping for holiday presents with friends. Whatever your favorite sweater weather activity, we have some helpful tips to ensure your sweaters are always in pristine condition for this cozy time of year!

Read The Care Label On Your Garment

Because sweaters are each made from different materials, reading the label is of utmost importance. For instance, sweaters made from cashmere should never be machine washed and should only ever be hand-washed. Wool and wool blends require dry cleaning only. Cotton and cotton blend sweaters may be machine washed using Clean People Laundry Detergent Sheets in a cold water or delicate cycle.

Only Wash On Every 3-5 Wears

You can freely enjoy your holiday activities no matter how strenuous knowing it is not necessary to wash your sweaters and cardigans after each wear unless they have been soiled. Typically sweaters need to be washed every 3-5 wears depending on the material of the sweater. Wool can stand up to five wears, and cotton and cashmere should ideally be 3-4 wears. If your sweater does get soiled from hot cocoa, sweet cranberry sauce, or other unfortunate stains, don’t forget to pre-treat the stains using your Clean People Oxygen Brightener or Clean People Stain Spray.

Only Wash With Other Delicate Garments

Sweaters are made from more delicate materials causing them to be more susceptible to pilling. While it is not difficult to remove pilling if it occurs, washing your sweaters with other similar garments is the most effective way to prevent pilling. Be sure to not wash them with items that contain zippers, velcro, or other harsh materials like jeans or winter jackets.

Never Dry Sweaters In The Dryer

All sweaters should be laid out to dry rather than tossed in the dryer. Common sweater materials will shrink when machine dried from a wet state. Cashmere can take a few days to air dry, and other materials can air dry fairly quickly. If you have a sweater with a lot of static cling, toss into the dryer after it is completely air-dried and use your Clean People Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets or Clean People Wool Dryer Balls to help remove that excess static!

Always Fold Sweaters To Store Them

It is a common practice to hang sweaters in the closet on hangers; however, doing so can result in unnecessary stretching and allows odd shapes to take hold in the shoulder area. Loosely fold your sweaters and stack them in a drawer or on a shelf to help them maintain their shape and elasticity. 

We hope you enjoy this cozy sweater weather season with family and friends, and that these tips will give you the confidence you need to know you’re taking care of your delicate sweaters the right way! Cozy up by the fire, drink that hot cocoa, and have a happy sweater weather season!

Staying Cozy

Tips on How to Care For & Store Your Sweaters

Now that spring is here, you may get excited to put away those chunky sweaters and pull out the short sleeves… but wait! Don’t just toss them in a drawer! There are actually a few steps that you should take to make sure that those much loved items stay comfy and cozy for next year. Here are some tips on how to care for and store your sweaters.

Remove Pills & Lint

Something to consider doing regularly (and before storing) is checking over your sweaters for things like lint, dandruff, pills, and hair. These unsightly flaws can be embarrassing, but also lessen the integrity of the garment.

• You could easily use household items like a small pair of scissors or a razor to remove these, just be careful not to put a hole in the sweater. If you care to make a small investment, you could purchase a sweater comb or fabric shaver. 
• Once the larger pieces are removed, use a lint roller to take off any smaller particles.

Fix Snags or Holes

Every once in a while, sweaters can get snagged due to the bigger gaps in the knit. It is important to fix these before they spread. Don’t fret if you think you can’t sew, it’s easy!

• First, turn the sweater inside out and locate the hole. Using a large sewing needle or crochet hook, pull the snagged yarn back through the hole and tug gently until it closes the space. Tie a small tight knot so it won’t happen again and turn it right side out. Voila!

Washing

A very important thing to know is that sweaters should not be washed every time you wear them. Similar to jeans, they have a stronger make-up, but often fade, so plan to wash only once every 3-4 wears unless it gets stained. Wool sweaters may go as long as 5 wears.

• When a sweater says “hand wash only,” reach for a CLEAN PEOPLE Laundry Detergent Sheet. These sheets are great because you can tear off a small portion of it for laundering only a few garments. Fill your clean sink/tub with cool water and add the strip, then put the shirts in and swish around.  Work the detergent and water into the clothes getting all dirt, sweat, and grime out. Rinse well with cool water and lay flat to dry.
• If your sweater allows for a machine wash, make sure to set it for a delicate cycle. Using a CLEAN PEOPLE Liquid Laundry Detergent Pod, wash the sweaters and lay flat to dry.
• If your particular sweater permits drying, using our 100% Organic Wool Dryer Balls helps to fluff and dry gentle items. Remember to run in delicate mode!

Storing

After washing for the last time of the season, it is time to store your cozy clothing. Ensure they are completely dry or they may mold. 

• Breathable large storage bags are ideal because they protect the garments while also allowing air to flow slightly. Simply fold and stack your sweaters into the bag then close tightly. Place in a closet for the off season.
• If you are worried about possible insects, place a few Lavender scented Natural Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets in the bag to deter them. The linalool content in the Lavender has shown to repel mites, beetles, and cockroaches. Plus, they will smell amazing when you pull them out next year!

There you have it! An easy to follow list of how to care for and store your sweaters. CLEAN PEOPLE makes it simple to naturally keep your clothing safe and clean.

Dryer sheets not only help remove static, soften fabrics, and leave your clothes smelling oh-so-fresh, they also have a number of unconventional applications to help you keep your home sparkling clean!

Check out our favorite dryer sheets cleaning hacks:

1. Removing Soap Scum from Bath Tiles & Shower Walls

  Skip the bleach! Simply wet a dryer sheet under your faucet & use some elbow grease to scrub your bathroom tiles -sparkle sparkle! 

2. Loosen Food Residue & Dark Spots on Baking Pans

Place a dryer sheet in the middle of the pan, add warm water & a squeeze of dish soap, and then let it soak. After 1 hour, remove the dryer sheet, drain the pain & wipe away any remaining stains with a sponge – good as new! 

3. Freshen Up Shoes & Sweaty Gym Bags

Drop a dryer sheet in your shoes or sweaty gym bag to help absorb pesky odors and leave your workout gear smelling fresh. 

4. Deter Insects from Linen Closets (Move Over, Moth Balls!)

Place a few Lavender Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets in the bag to deter them. The linalool content in the Lavender has shown to repel mites, beetles, and cockroaches. Plus, your closet will smell amazing!