Dripping wet laundry straight into the dryer might seem like a time-saver, but there are hidden consequences to this habit. While your clothes will eventually dry, you could be shortening the lifespan of your dryer and facing costly repairs down the line. Let's explore why.

Understanding the Problem

Here's how soaking wet clothes put extra stress on a dryer:

• Overworked Motor: The extra weight strains the motor, causing it to work harder and potentially overheat.
• Imbalance Issues: Soaking wet clothes tend to clump, creating imbalance within the drum. This leads to uneven wear on belts and bearings.
• Excess Moisture: Venting excess moisture takes time and energy. Lint traps can clog faster, hindering airflow and creating potential safety hazards.
• Longer Dry Times: With impaired efficiency, drying soaking wet clothes takes substantially longer, wasting energy and increasing wear on components.

What's the Better Way?

To protect your dryer and optimize its performance, it's wiser to:

1. Pre-Spin: Run an extra spin cycle in the washer, if available, to remove as much water as possible.
2. Wring Out Small Items: Hand-wringing smaller items like socks and delicates is a quick way to get rid of excess water.
3. Shake and Separate: Shaking out garments and separating them before loading the dryer reduces clumping and speeds drying.

Is It Ever Okay?

While not ideal, occasionally drying soaking wet items likely won't cause immediate damage. However, consistently doing so can have a cumulative negative impact on your dryer's lifespan and lead to breakdowns.

References

• The Spruce: Why You Shouldn't Put Dripping Wet Clothes in the Dryer [invalid URL removed]
• Hunker: Can You Put Dripping Wet Clothes in the Dryer? [invalid URL removed]

A little extra effort before drying can go a long way in protecting your dryer and ensuring efficient laundry days.