There are many ideas for placing soaking wet clothes in the drier. Varying opinions can complicate decision-making.
After all, they are meant to dry clothes- a process that involves moisture removal. Worry no more. We are here to help you understand it better.
So, Is It Bad to Put Soaking Wet Clothes in The Dryer?
Yes. Putting soaked wet clothes in the dryer is not a good idea. There are many possible damages not only to your machine but also to the clothes. Your clothes may not get fully dry. It, therefore, leaves a specific weird smell. Usually, the smell is musty and unpleasant. Leakage of water is also a possible concern which causes rusting or eventual malfunction on your dryer. Washing machines are among the most expensive home appliances; investing in another often calls for an eye-watering budget if one is messed up.
See Also: Will Muddy Clothes Ruin Your Washing Machine?
Why You Should Not Put Soaking Wet Clothes in The Dryer
Plenty of folks leave their soaked clothes in the house or the drier for several reasons.
Sometimes, when rushing out, you can easily forget to dry them.
Or perhaps you are rained on and lazily drop your wet clothes in the dryer.
Whether intentional or without volition, this act has sheer ramifications on your clothes and the dryer.
Putting soaking wet clothes in the dryer can cause the following:
- Possible water leak, which might damage the dryer
- Super wet clothes may not get dry
- Soaked clothes damage the dryer drum
Here is an in-depth explanation of these things:
1. Soaking Wet Clothes Adds Too Much Water in The Dryer
Dryers are designed to eliminate moisture from clothes.
Given the extra weight of water on your soaked wet clothes, it means it will have to strain to dry them. As you well know, water is heavy.
So, if you place soaking wet clothes in it, it can overwhelm its bearings. It may cause a malfunction or slow drying of the clothes. In worst-case scenarios, the dryer can break down completely.
A dryer is designed to spin relatively under normal working conditions and does so quietly.
See Also: Do You Need To Rewash Your Laundry If It Rains While It’s Drying On The Clothesline?
When overloaded, however, the dryer is forced to strain and exert immense force on the drum, which can move it from its place. The result is too much vibration and loud noise.
To put this into a clear perspective, think about how shocks work in a car.
If they fail, it takes direct impacts, which shake the entire vehicle and cause a lot of noise and discomfort.
It is no different from a clogged dryer. Even if it does not break down immediately, your dryer will break down or age faster than expected.
2. Extremely Wet Clothes Do Not Dry
The second problem resulting from soaking wet clothes in a dryer is that the clothes may not even get dry.
The dryer is made to dry clothes within a certain amount of time. Also, it deals with a certain quantity of moisture. As in the case of soaking wet clothes, the dryer is strained to deal with an overwhelming amount of water.
The problems get even worse if there are way too many soaking-wet clothes.
Your dryer will probably deal with one soaking wet cloth but not many clothes. And in most cases, you will not achieve the ultimate dryness of your clothes.
If your clothes retain moisture, another problem sets in.
Wet clothes not only smell musty but also become breeding sites for mildew. And you will not like the odor from mold. It is not fun at all. Additionally, wet clothes tend to develop wrinkles and get old fast.
Finally, because your dryer will take extra time to dry your soaking clothes, it will consume a lot of energy. Whether using electricity or gas, you will have to spend more drying such garments.
3. Water Leakage
As mentioned earlier, wet clothes add too much water to the dryer.
Water can cause many problems in the machine, your clothes, and even the house.
If it soaks into the hot, it will cause rot. Any metal that comes in contact with moisture becomes susceptible to rust. Mold and mildew growth are other consequences of water leakage in the home.
As you can see, placing soaking wet clothes in the drum can lead to devastating consequences.
When water overflows out of the dryer’s drum, a cascade of events follows, and you will not like the results.
Water can even mess up the electronics in the dryer. We do not need to go into details about what happens if water and wiring mix. It becomes a disaster.
3 Things You Need to Know Before Placing Soaking Wet Clothes in your Dryer
1. Double Check Your Washer
Before placing wet clothes in your dryer, you need to execute a thorough check to ascertain their conditions.
One of the things that can make you want to put soaking wet clothes in the dryer is a damaged washing machine.
It could be the epicenter of the whole problem. And that means if you can fix the washing machine, your dryer will be spared of the impact of soaking wet clothes.
If you bump into a hitch in the washing machine and fail to repair it, you will soon have to fix both the device and the dryer.
So check the entire machine part to ensure everything is working well. One problem in one component could lead to other significant issues elsewhere.
2. Know The Strength of the Dryer
Dryers are made in different sizes and capabilities. The market is awash with dryers of certain levels of strength and modification.
By reaching out to your supplier, you can quickly tell how much water your dryer can handle. Sadly, most folks ignore this critical advice, and they come to regret it.
You need to ask your manufacturer about its unique features. It will help you understand its operational capability.
Some dryers are heavy-duty, while others are not. The former is heavy-duty and more durable than the latter. So, if you are looking for a giant washing
machine to handle all sorts of washing needs, consider upgrading to such models.
3. Properly Wring Out Your Clothes
Some occasions will force you to hand-wash your clothes.
Many reasons can make you do this. For instance, if the washing machine breaks down, you will be forced to go the manual way. Or maybe you need to clean clothes that do not necessarily require a washing machine.
If you are handling such clothes, ensure you wring them out properly before drying them.
Wringing involves twisting clothes tightly to expel as much water as you can. The goal is to reduce moisture and minimize strain on your dryer.
Final Words
A dryer is an essential component of a washing machine.
Proper care should be accorded to it so that it can deliver up the expectations.
Placing soaking wet clothes in it can seriously affect the devices, your clothes, and even the house. Anything that involves water needs to be handled with all the attention it deserves.
Also, ensure that you fix any technical hitch on the washing machine as soon as it shows up. It is prudent to fix it before things get out of hand.
