What is Tumble Dry?

Tumble drying is simply machine drying rather than line drying or laying flat to dry. This method is called “Tumble Dry” because clothes tumble in the dryer drum where airflow, along with heat, dries clothes quickly. But not all fabrics are made to be tumble dried—always check the care tag first.

Within the tumble dry method, you have plenty of options regarding timing, cycles and heat. Read on to learn more about when you should and should not tumble dry, along with how to tumble dry the right way for different fabric types.

What are the most common tumble dry settings?

Any setting you can select on a dryer is considered a tumble dry setting. Most dryers allow you to select a time, heat level or dryness level, and sometimes you can choose a cycle where settings are predetermined, like Normal, Delicate, Heavy Duty or Quick Dry. When you see “tumble dry low” in drying instructions, the “low” refers to heat. See below to learn more about tumble dry heat settings.

What does tumble dry medium mean?

When you see “tumble dry medium” on drying instructions, it means to machine dry the item on medium heat, which is usually around 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Medium heat is ideal for permanent press or wrinkle-prone fabrics like professional clothing made of synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon. Light, thin cotton clothes like t-shirts can also benefit from moderate heat to help reduce shrinkage. Medium heat will dry fabrics slower and gentler than high heat, helping prevent wrinkles from setting while protecting synthetic fibers which can ripple under high heat. 

Pick a medium heat for clothes like these:

• Button-up work shirts

• Trousers or slacks

• Light cotton items like t-shirts

What does tumble dry low mean?

“Tumble dry low” means to dry your item in the dryer on a low heat setting. Low heat is usually around 125 degrees Fahrenheit and is designed for delicate items like knitwear or sheer fabrics, as well as workout clothes made of high-performance fabric like spandex and lycra. Low heat helps protect heat-sensitive fabrics from fraying, fading, wrinkling, stretching and warping. 

Pick a low heat setting for clothes like these: 

• Knit sweaters

• Clothing with sheer fabric

• Embellished fabrics

• Lingerie

• Workout clothes

• Winter down coats and jacket shells

What does tumble dry no heat mean?

“Tumble dry no heat” means to dry in the dryer with zero heat. This setting may also be labeled “air only” on your dryer. It’s meant for very delicate items that cannot withstand any heat, but is most often used to freshen, fluff or remove hair and other debris from dry items between washes. Keep in mind that tumble dry no heat will take a while, though not as long as line drying since the air movement in the dryer tends to speed things up. 

Pick a no heat setting in these scenarios:

• Drying very delicate items that are not wrinkle-prone

• Fluffing pillows and blankets

• Fluffing winter coats

• Refreshing clothes that have hair, dust or other debris stuck on them

Can I tumble dry any type of clothing?

No. Some fabrics simply can’t handle the heat or movement of a dryer. You can hang these items or lay them flat to dry. Some clothes that should typically not be dried in the dryer would be anything made with wool, cashmere, silk, lace, leather or suede. Of course, anything labeled “dry clean only” should be taken to a professional cleaner. 

Can I tumble dry clothes labeled “do not tumble dry” on a no heat setting?

No. If your item’s label says not to tumble dry, it’s best not to, even with zero heat. The tumbling movement could create wrinkles which will be hard to remove without heat. Tumbling without heat could also cause shrinkage after washing. If your clothes are stiff after air drying them, try shaking them out or adding fabric softener to the wash next time. Line drying on a windy day will also help the fabric move as it dries without damaging it, reducing stiffness. 

Shop Maytag^® dryers & get the job done

Maytag offers dryers with a variety of cycles and settings. With features like the Extra Power button, Wrinkle Prevent option and Reduce Static option, Maytag^® gas and electric dryers will help you get laundry day done.