Drying fabrics: line, flat, and tumble
Drying is where heat and gravity do most of the damage. The right method keeps a garment in its intended shape; the wrong one shrinks knits, stretches collars, and sets in wrinkles. Each method below suits a different group of fabrics.
Read the drying symbol first
The square is the drying symbol. A circle inside the square covers tumble drying, with dots indicating heat level; lines inside the square describe natural drying such as line or flat drying. A crossed-out circle means do not tumble dry, which is common on wool and elastane-rich fabrics.
Three methods, three fibre groups
Best for cotton and linen
Hanging is gentle and energy-free. Cottons and linens handle it well. Hang shirts on the seams and pin heavier items at strong points so the weight of the wet fabric does not stretch them.
Best for wool and knits
Knitted wool and other stretch-prone fabrics should dry flat. Reshape the item by hand while damp and lay it on a towel or mesh rack so it does not sag out of shape.
Best for towels and sturdy cottons
Tumble drying is fast and fluffs towels, but heat is the main cause of shrinkage. Use the lowest effective heat, and remove items while slightly damp to limit creasing.
Direct strong heat on synthetics
Polyester, nylon and elastane soften under high heat and can glaze or lose stretch. Lower temperatures protect both the fibre and any printed details.
Drying in cold and humid conditions
Indoor drying is common through long Canadian winters. Damp laundry releases a noticeable amount of moisture into the room, so a drying rack works best in a ventilated space or near an air return rather than in a closed, cool room where mildew odour can develop.
- Space items out so air can move between them; crowded racks dry unevenly.
- Heavy items such as towels and denim dry faster on a rack near moving air.
- Outdoor line drying still works in winter, though items dry mainly through sublimation and may need finishing indoors.
Most shrinkage happens during drying, not washing, because heat and tumbling together cause fibres to contract. When an item is borderline, drying it flat or on low heat is the more cautious choice.