
Why It Matters for Your Sleep and Comfort
Your bedding is more than just fabric — it’s your cozy retreat. Caring for it properly ensures you get the softness, warmth, and freshness that help you drift off to peaceful sleep. According to Good Housekeeping, using a dryer safely can actually fluff up your sheets and blankets, making them even more inviting.
Can Bedding Go in the Dryer? Yes, With Care!
Check the Labels First
Before tossing everything into the dryer, always check the care labels. Most cotton sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers can handle a low to medium heat setting. However, delicate fabrics like bamboo, silk, or linen may prefer air drying or a gentle cycle. We cover this in detail in our bamboo bedding care guide.
Use the Right Dryer Settings
Set your dryer to a gentle, low-heat cycle to avoid shrinking or damaging fibers. Toss in a few wool dryer balls to help fluff comforters and prevent clumping. As The Sleep Foundation notes, over-drying can wear out fabrics faster, so pull your bedding out when it’s just barely dry.
Extra Cozy Tips for Drying Bedding
Drying Large Comforters and Duvets
Big bedding items like comforters and duvets can be tricky. Make sure to dry them separately to give them plenty of space to tumble. Stop the cycle occasionally to shake them out and redistribute the filling — this helps prevent lumpy spots and keeps everything fluffy. You can also take advantage of the dryer’s air-only cycle if you want to avoid heat altogether.
Freshening Up Bedding Between Washes
Not ready for a full wash but want to freshen things up? Toss your sheets or blankets into the dryer with a damp washcloth and a drop of lavender essential oil. Run it on air-fluff for 10–15 minutes, and your bedding will come out smelling like a cozy spa retreat! Our best sheets for sensitive skin guide includes more gentle care tips you’ll love.
Common Worry: Will My Bedding Shrink?
It’s a valid concern! High heat is usually the culprit behind shrinking. Stick with low heat, and for extra caution, air-dry delicate pieces. Specialty fabrics like bamboo, silk, and linen are especially sensitive, so always check the label first. If you’re ever unsure, it’s better to be safe and air-dry or use the dryer’s cool setting.
Fabric-Specific Drying Tips
Cotton Bedding
Cotton is pretty forgiving and handles the dryer well on a low to medium heat. Just avoid over-drying, which can make cotton sheets feel stiff or rough over time.
Bamboo and Linen Bedding
Bamboo and linen fabrics benefit from air-drying or using the dryer’s coolest settings. These natural fibers are prone to shrinkage and can lose their softness if exposed to too much heat. For a full guide, check out our bamboo bedding care guide.
Silk Bedding
Silk sheets and pillowcases should generally skip the dryer altogether. Lay them flat or hang them to dry to maintain their delicate sheen and texture. A little extra care here goes a long way toward luxury-level comfort!
Cozy Wrap-Up: Keep Your Bedding Fresh and Fluffy
So, can bedding go in the dryer? Absolutely — with a little attention and care. Imagine slipping into freshly dried, soft sheets tonight — doesn’t that sound amazing? Treat your bedding gently, and you’ll enjoy soft, cozy layers night after night. Ready to upgrade your laundry game? Click here to explore more cozy bedroom tips and make your sleep space the dreamy retreat you deserve!
Give your bedding the love it deserves and enjoy that fresh-from-the-dryer feeling every time you slip into bed!
Give your bedding the love it deserves and enjoy that fresh-from-the-dryer feeling every time you slip into bed!