Clothes dryer

A clothes dryer is an electrical appliance used to remove moisture from washed clothing without sun or air drying. It typically contains a rotating drum in which clothes tumble, with heated air circulating through to evaporate the water.

These appliances are commonly found in homes, hotels, hospitals, and commercial laundries. They are particularly common in countries with humid climates or frequent rainfall, where outdoor drying is not practical for much of the year.

How it works

An electric motor rotates the drum while a heating element or heat exchanger warms the air being drawn in. The hot air passes through the clothing and evaporates the moisture. The rotating drum increases the surface area exposed to the air, speeding up drying. The condition of the lint filter has a significant effect on air circulation and energy consumption.

Types

The simplest type, known as vented, expels hot, moist air through a duct to the outside. Condenser dryers cool the hot air in a unit and collect the water in a tank that must be emptied. Heat pump dryers recycle the same heat, consuming less energy but requiring longer drying times. There are also combination machines that wash and dry in one unit.

Energy and safety

Clothes dryers are among the most energy-intensive household appliances. For this reason, many countries require energy consumption ratings to be displayed. Lint accumulation in ducts and filters can increase fire risk, so regular cleaning is a standard precaution recommended by manufacturers.

Effects on clothing

Heat and tumbling inside the drum can cause garment shrinkage and fiber damage; lint collected in the filter comes from these damaged fibers. Some fabrics, such as wool and delicate synthetics, carry labels warning against machine drying. Lower heat settings and moisture sensors are used to minimize wear.