6 Things You Should Never Line Dry—and What to Do Instead

Learn how to care for these items, according to laundry experts.

There is a reason line drying is still a popular method of drying laundry, even after the invention of gas and electric dryers. Line drying protects your clothes from shrinkage and pilling, helps keep your garments' structure intact, and is a more affordable and ecological alternative to conventional dryers . However, there are several items and materials that should not be hung to dry. We asked our experts to weigh in on the items you should avoid line drying and what to do instead.

Meet the Expert

• Sarah McAllister , cleaning expert and founder and CEO of GoCleanCo
• Mary Gagliard i, laundry expert for Clorox
• Sammy Wang , senior scientist for P&G Fabric Care

Related: 6 Things You Should Never Put in the Washing Machine

Thick Sweaters

Thick sweaters can become very heavy when wet, especially when washed on a delicate cycle, so hanging them to dry may cause them to stretch out and become misshapen. To avoid this, Sammy Wang, senior scientist at P&G Fabric Care, recommends air drying thick sweaters by laying them flat on a mesh drying screen. To speed up the drying time, roll the sweater in a clean towel and squeeze to remove excess moisture before reshaping and laying it flat, says Mary Gagliardi, cleaning expert for Clorox.

Related: How to Wash Cashmere and Wool Sweaters—and Save a Trip to the Dry Cleaners

Heavy-Knit Blankets

Line-drying heavy-knit blankets can stretch and strain the yarn, says cleaning expert Sarah McCallister. What's more, these blankets generally retain a lot of water when washed, so you can expect an especially long drying time. As a solution, Wang recommends machine drying large or heavy blankets according to their care labels. For more delicate knits, like crocheted blankets, lay the blanket flat to dry or dry it in the dryer on low or no heat, says McCallister.

Down-Filled Items

Avoid line drying any down-filled items, like comforters, vests, jackets, etc. These items must be tumble-dried on high heat with three to four dryer balls to restore the loft and completely dry the filling. "Not only will the down filling stay clumped if it isn’t tumble dried, it will likely develop a musty odor as well," says Gagliardi. She adds that standard laundromat double-load dryers are ideal for sleeping bags to restore their original loft and help retain body heat.

Related: How Often Should You Wash Your Duvet Cover and Duvet Insert?

Cushion Covers

Cushion covers are unique in that they must be reinstalled over the inserts while the fabric is still wet. According to Gagliardi, if cushion covers are allowed to dry before reinstalling, they won’t fit. She recommends gently stretching the damp fabric over the cushion to reverse relaxation shrinkage and zipping the covers closed. For the final step, Gagliardi advises propping the cushions up for good air circulation and to ensure they dry thoroughly before use. “If you live in a high humidity climate, consider using a dehumidifier to speed up air drying,” she says.

Denim

While denim is often line-dried to preserve its color, it can feel scratchy or stiff after air drying because of its high cotton content. Instead, try drying your denim in your machine on low or no heat, but check the care label first to prevent accidental shrinkage. For denim that can be machine-dried, Wang says to toss it in the dryer with a dryer sheet to help soften and prevent wrinkles.

Related: Are You Washing Your Jeans Too Often? Probably Yes, According to Experts

Bath Mats

Bath mats are a high-traffic item and will get their deepest clean when machine-dried. While they won't be damaged by line drying, this method will take much longer, and your bath mat may end up flat and matted, says Wang. Instead, place your bath mat in the dryer, following the instructions on the care label for heat recommendations.

Read the original article on Martha Stewart .