9 Surprising Things Your Clothes Dryer Can (and Can’t) Do
Your clothes dryer can do much more than simply turn wet laundry into dry laundry. From relaxing wrinkles and loosening pet hair to fluffing bulky bedding, a few smart techniques can make laundry day noticeably easier.
But there’s an important catch: not every viral dryer hack is safe. Some tricks can damage fabrics, overheat the appliance, or even create a fire risk.
Here are 9 useful things your dryer can do, plus the hacks you should skip.
1. Remove Wrinkles Without an Iron
Need to wear a shirt that’s slightly wrinkled but don’t have time to iron it?
Place the garment in the dryer with a slightly damp washcloth and run a short, medium-heat cycle for about 10–15 minutes, if the care label permits.
The moisture creates a small amount of steam that can help relax wrinkles.
For best results: remove the garment immediately when the cycle ends and hang it up rather than leaving it sitting in the drum.
2. Dry Sneakers More Quietly
Shoes tumbling around inside a dryer can create a lot of noise—and repeated tumbling may damage some footwear.
If the shoe manufacturer allows machine drying, tie the shoelaces together and position the shoes so they don’t freely bounce around the drum. Some dryers also have a dedicated shoe-drying rack.
Use low heat or an air-only setting when recommended.
Avoid putting leather, suede, or heat-sensitive shoes in the dryer unless the manufacturer specifically says it’s safe.
3. Refresh Washable Pillows and Stuffed Animals
A dryer can help fluff and refresh certain washable pillows and stuffed toys after cleaning.
Use the temperature recommended on the item’s care label. For heat-sensitive materials, an air-only cycle may be safer.
For stuffed animals, check for glued decorations, plastic parts, or delicate materials that could be damaged by heat.
4. Speed Up Drying Time
Have a particularly wet load that seems to be taking forever?
Adding one clean, dry towel for the first 10–15 minutes can help absorb some moisture from the load.
Remove the towel once it becomes damp and allow the rest of the clothes to continue drying.
Don’t overload the dryer, though. Clothes need enough room to tumble so warm air can circulate properly.
5. Remove Pet Hair From Clothing
Your dryer can be surprisingly useful for loosening pet hair before washing.
Before washing, place dry pet-hair-covered clothing in the dryer and run an air-fluff or low-heat cycle for around 10 minutes, if the garment allows it.
The tumbling action and airflow can loosen hair so it gets collected by the lint filter.
Important: clean the lint filter afterward.
6. Freshen Musty Clothing
Clothes that have been sitting in a closet or storage box can sometimes develop a stale smell.
If the clothing is already clean and the care label permits drying, a short low-heat or air-only cycle may help freshen it.
For strong or persistent odors, however, washing the garment is the better solution. A dryer may temporarily mask an odor without removing its source.
7. Dry Some Hand-Washed Items Faster
Some washable garments can safely spend a short time in the dryer after hand washing.
If the care label permits machine drying:
- Place the item inside a mesh laundry bag.
- Choose the lowest appropriate temperature.
- Consider an air-only cycle for especially delicate materials.
- Remove the garment promptly.
Always follow the care label. Wool, silk, and many delicate fabrics are better air-dried.
8. Fluff Comforters and Blankets
Bulky bedding can become compressed and lose some of its loft.
If the care label allows tumble drying, use a suitable low- or medium-heat setting and add dryer balls to help separate the filling as it tumbles.
For down or other specialty bedding, follow the manufacturer’s drying instructions carefully.
Stop periodically to check that the bedding isn’t overheating or becoming unevenly distributed.
9. Reduce Static Electricity
Static can make clothes cling together and become difficult to fold.
A few simple habits can help:
- Avoid overdrying clothes.
- Remove laundry promptly when the cycle ends.
- Use dryer balls if appropriate.
- Use dryer sheets if you prefer them and the fabric allows them.
- Don’t overload the dryer.
Reducing drying time is often one of the easiest ways to minimize static.
Dryer Hacks You Should Skip
Some online dryer tricks are simply not worth the risk.
❌ Don’t Use Your Dryer to Cook Food
A clothes dryer isn’t designed for food preparation. Putting food inside the appliance can create contamination, overheating, or other safety problems.
❌ Don’t Dry Herbs in Your Clothes Dryer
Drying herbs in an appliance designed for laundry isn’t recommended. Food particles and oils can contaminate the drum and lint system.
❌ Don’t Put Essential Oils Directly on Laundry
Adding concentrated essential oils directly to towels, clothing, or dryer materials can create unnecessary fire and fabric-safety risks.
If you want scented laundry, use products specifically designed and labeled for dryer use.
❌ Don’t Ignore the Care Label
The biggest mistake is assuming every garment can tolerate heat.
Before using the dryer, check the garment’s care instructions. Some fabrics can shrink, stretch, melt, fade, or lose their shape when exposed to high temperatures.
Keep Your Dryer Safe
A few maintenance habits are just as important as the tricks above.
Clean the lint filter after every load, and periodically check the dryer vent and exhaust system for lint buildup. Restricted airflow can make the dryer run inefficiently and increases fire risk.
Also avoid drying items contaminated with flammable substances such as gasoline, solvents, or certain oils unless the manufacturer and applicable safety guidance specifically permit it.
Final Thoughts
Your clothes dryer can be a surprisingly versatile laundry tool. It can help relax wrinkles, loosen pet hair, freshen clean clothes, fluff bedding, and speed up drying when used correctly.
The key is knowing the difference between a useful laundry trick and a risky internet hack. Follow the care label, use the correct temperature, keep the lint filter clean, and never use the dryer for purposes it wasn’t designed for.
With a few simple habits, you can make laundry day faster and easier while keeping both your clothes and your appliance in good shape.
