How does a portable clothes dryer work?

Although it is not one of the most used appliances, more and more people are betting on getting a dryer. And it is that its advantages are obvious: clothes take less time to dry, you save time since you do not have to hang and, ultimately, you gain in quality of life. However, are you sure you know how to use a portable clothes dryer? Although it may seem like a simple process, there are some guidelines to keep in mind so that you don’t get scared when taking your clothes out of the drum. That is why today, we are going to give you some tips with which all your clothes will be perfect.

Operation of a portable clothes dryer

Surely you are interested in knowing how to use the dryer without shrinking your clothes since this is one of the great fears you have when purchasing one. Actually, on fewer occasions than we think that happens with our garments and when it happens, it is because we have put in a fabric not suitable for the device or because the temperature is not adequate. An excess of heat causes the garments to become more tangled and the fabrics to decrease, reducing the size.

To avoid all that, here are a few general tips for a dryer from any manufacturer. However, we recommend you take a look at the manual of the model in question to make proper use of it. Having clarified this, take note of what we tell you!

Are you sure that garments can be put in?

Those garments made with pure cotton (most of the garments we have in cotton are a conglomerate with other materials suitable for the dryer) or linen cannot be introduced into the dryer as they tend to shrink due to their natural origin. Also, sequins, pearls or a garment with similar beads cannot be inserted either. It is very important not to put any rubber, foam or derivatives thereof since they could melt due to high temperatures.

Contrary to what you might think, wool can be put in the dryer. It would be necessary to select the appropriate cycle for this fabric (most dryers have a wide range of programs, including this fabric). Generally, it is based on not very high temperatures and low drum speed so as not to damage this delicate garment. As you can see, there are not many “prohibited” fabrics for the dryer, but always remember to look at the labeling of the garments to make sure completely.

Always separate garments by fabric

Once you are clear about the fabrics that are and those that cannot be put in the dryer, you have to separate them. Not everyone needs the same temperature or the same speed since each garment is different. If we mix fabrics, the program is most likely suitable for some, but not for others. It is also recommended to separate it by colors (light and dark) to avoid those dreaded faded garments.

Once you know what laundry fabric you want to dry, you should select the right program. As we will see later with some specific models, current dryers have specific programs for each garment with ideal predetermined settings for these.

Do not fully fill the loading drum

When choosing the specific program, you will see that each of them accepts a certain amount of load depending on the size and weight of the garments. If, for example, a dryer’s shirt program holds 4kg of them, it is recommended that the loading drum is not overflowing since the garments have less “space,” they become more tangled and, therefore, more wrinkled.

Balance is the key

Here you can choose two options. You can balance the load drum by combining lighter garments with heavier ones (in less quantity) or you can choose to separate by weight doing two loads to avoid wrinkles in the case of some garments that have easier wrinkling like shirts.

To learn how to use the clothes dryer, you must know the different functions that exist. Most models have a cold function that serves to eliminate bad odors or to ventilate clothes that are not too dirty. It is done dry and takes just a few minutes. Hot timing is the usual cycle to remove moisture from garments.

Do not leave clothes in the drum for too long

Once the drying cycle is finished, it is not recommended to leave the laundry in the dryer for a long time as the condensed moisture inside the drum could rewet it. To end it just when you want, you can use the delayed start or end function that some models integrate.

Acquire the model you purchase. It will surely integrate a filter cleaning indicator. It is important to remove it carefully and remove the remains of dirt under the cold water tap. The condenser should be cleaned 3-4 times a year for proper operation. It is also recommended to wipe the humidity sensor with a dry cloth to avoid concentration.