This is just a guess, but I’d be willing to bet that very few of us actually sit down and Read user manuals For our main devices. Personally, if I need to see an error code I can pull it out, but even then I’ll probably only look at the relevant pages.
But it might be time to rethink our stance on user manuals, because they’re actually a great source of tips and tricks that can help you get the most out of your devices! And that’s especially true for one of my personal favorite appliances, the tumble dryer. 🙂
To tempt you to open those pages, today I’m sharing 7 amazing things you can do with your dryer! From getting rid of bedbugs to saving money on your bills, these tips will make you see your dryer in a whole new light.
Related: If you hate ironing, you need to know about this dryer setting
7 Surprising Things You Can Do With Your Dryer
1. Kill insects and bugs
If your dryer has a sanitize cycle, that can really come in handy! The sanitizing cycle works by cranking up the heat, reaching a temperature high enough to kill bacteria, lice, bedbugs, moth larvae and any other unwanted critters.
When using the sanitize cycle, be sure to let it run the entire time (or at least 30 minutes). Shortening the cycle can reduce its effectiveness.
2. Freshen up the outfit
If an outfit you want to wear has been sitting under a pile of other clothes for a few days, you can use your dryer to freshen it up in a flash! For those with a steam dryer, use your dryer’s steam refresh cycle to quickly and easily revive your wrinkled clothes.
For those of us whose dryers don’t offer a steam option, there’s an easy way to supply your own steam. Simply dampen a clean cloth and toss it in your dryer with your outfit. Turn on the dryer for a few minutes, and your outfit will be ready to wear in minutes!
3. Dry delicates flat
Many new dryers come with lots of cool accessories that you can buy separately from the manufacturer. One accessory I’ve come across that I’m quite jealous of is the drum rack, which you can slide into your dryer to freeze chunky items and block delicate clothes so they dry flat.
To find out if a drum rack or any other accessories are available for your dryer, look up your model number on the manufacturer’s website.
4. Cut down on the iron
Your dryer’s many cycles and settings can help you Cut on the iron. For example, steam dryers can inject steam into the drum during the dry cycle to prevent wrinkles from forming.
For those with standard dryers, the permanent press cycle (sometimes shortened to “perm press”) rotates the drum more slowly to reduce wrinkles. And if your dryer continues to rotate the drum occasionally after the cycle is complete, that’s another feature designed to prevent wrinkles.
5. Sound the alarm
Many newer dryers have built-in sensors that monitor conditions inside the exhaust vent. If it detects an obstruction or clog in the vent, it will trigger an error message or alarm so you can clean it before using it again.
This feature may not seem like much, but it could very well help you prevent expensive or deadly dryer fires! For more information on how to avoid dryer fires, Read my post on the topic here.
6. Refresh your comforter
Does your comforter feel a little squashed, flattened, or lifeless? Over time, the material inside your comforter may shrink from normal use, but there’s an easy way to restore its loft!
Just put your comforter in your dryer with a few tennis balls on low heat or no heat cycle. The tennis ball will bounce around the dryer and help fluff up the filling, and it will look like new!
When shopping for appliances, environmentally conscious consumers can look Energy Star Label to find out which models are energy efficient. But until 2014There was not a single Energy Star-rated clothes dryer on the market!
Luckily for us, the tide has turned in the past few years, and there are now plenty of energy efficient dryer models to choose from. In fact, newer, more efficient models use about 20-40% less energy than standard dryers, making them a better choice for both the environment and your budget.
Share your favorite dryer tips and tricks with us in the comments below!
