Putting your Birddogs in the dryer is generally not recommended. Birddogs are a type of clothing item that is designed to be lightweight and breathable. The materials and construction that make Birddogs so great for wearing can often be damaged by the high heat and tumbling action of a clothes dryer. However, there may be some specific instances where machine drying Birddogs could work. This article will go over the pros and cons of putting Birddogs in the dryer and provide some best practices for caring for your Birddogs.
The Potential Risks of Putting Birddogs in the Dryer
Here are some of the potential risks and downsides to be aware of with putting Birddogs in the dryer:
Heat Damage
Birddogs are often made from lightweight, technical fabrics that are designed to feel cool against your skin and wick moisture. The high heat of a clothes dryer can damage these fabrics, causing them to shrink, deform, or melt. Even on a low or delicate setting, the prolonged tumbling heat can still be too much for Birddogs over time.
Loss of Water Resistance
Many Birddogs have a durable water repellent (DWR) coating that makes them water resistant and quick to dry. The heat and motion of a dryer can break down these coatings prematurely. This causes the Birddogs to wet out and absorb moisture rather than repelling it.
Pilling and Snagging
The constant tumbling of a dryer can cause pilling or snagging on the smooth fabric of Birddogs. This leads to a fuzzy, worn out appearance over time. Delicate items like Birddogs are prone to this type of friction damage in the dryer.
Shrinkage
Even if you dry Birddogs on a low heat setting, they can still shrink up due to the heat exposure. Birddogs are meant to have a tight, compressive fit but excessive shrinkage can make them too small and restrictive to wear comfortably.
Loss of Stretch
Birddogs often contain spandex or elastane to provide four-way stretch. The heat from drying can cause the fibers to lose some of their stretch and performance over time. This leads to sagging, bagging, or restrictive fits.
Fading and Discoloration
The combination of heat and friction in the dryer can also fade vivid colors and prints on Birddogs prematurely. Opting for air drying helps colors stay vibrant for longer.
When Machine Drying Birddogs Could Work
Machine drying your Birddogs isn’t recommended but there are some instances where it could be okay if done with care:
Occasional Low Heat Drying
If machine drying is limited to only occasional use on the lowest heat setting, this minimizes damage. The sporadic, gentle heat is less likely to cause issues than frequent high heat drying.
Adding Dryer Balls
Adding wool or rubber dryer balls can help separate clothing and cut down on pilling or snagging issues.
Using Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets also reduce friction and can minimize static cling on Birddogs as well.
Hang Drying First
Hang drying Birddogs first and then throwing them in the dryer for 10 minutes can help soften them up and remove wrinkles without excessive heat exposure.
Older Birddogs Only
Once Birddogs are a few years old and beyond their peak performance lifespan, occasional drying risks less damage than on brand new pairs.
Low Moisture Loads
Drying Birddogs that are only lightly damp cuts down on heat and friction compared to drying fully soaked, waterlogged Birddogs.
Best Practices for Caring for Your Birddogs
Here are some recommended best practices for keeping your Birddogs in great condition:
- Wash in cold water and air dry when possible.
- Use a gentle, bleach-free detergent.
- Wash similar colors together.
- Turn Birddogs inside out before washing.
- Use a mesh bag for the washing machine.
- Hang dry or lay flat to dry if air drying.
- If needed, dry on delicate or low heat for 10 minutes or less.
- Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets.
- Spot clean stains when possible.
- Avoid excessive sun exposure while drying.
The Effects of Heat and Tumbling on Birddog Materials
Understanding how the materials that make up your Birddogs respond to dryer heat and tumbling can help minimize damage.
Nylon
Nylon can withstand low levels of heat but is prone to shrinkage, pilling, and loss of water resistance in the dryer. Air drying is best for longevity.
Polyester
Polyester is vulnerable to heat damage, melting, shrinkage, and fading. Tumbling can cause pilling. Air drying is recommended.
Spandex/Elastane
Spandex and elastane fibers provide stretch but lose elasticity when overheated in the dryer. Tumbling can also cause snagging.
Cotton
Cotton shrinks easily in high dryer heat. The tumbling motion can also cause pilling on cotton Birddogs over time.
Wool
Wool is prone to shrinking and felting in the dryer, which damages the fibers permanently. Always air dry wool Birddogs.
DWR Coatings
Dryer heat breaks down durable water repellent coatings, reducing water resistance. Low heat brief drying minimizes damage.
Prints/Graphics
The heat and friction of drying can crack, peel, or fade printed designs and graphics on Birddogs over time.
When to Use Professional Care or Specialized Drying
In some cases, professional care or specialized drying methods may be warranted to properly dry Birddogs without damage:
Heavy Soiling
Heavily soiled Birddogs may require professional cleaning rather than home washing to properly get them clean without damaging the materials or coatings.
Camping/Outdoor Gear
Specialty camping or outdoor Birddogs designed for rugged use can be effectively dried using a gear dryer that evenly distributes low heat without tumbling.
Wet Gloves/Hats
Wet gloves, hats, and accessories may dry better using a glove dryer that retains the item’s shape during drying.
Cold Weather Gear
Dryers designed for cold weather gear like heavy wool socks gently dry at low heats to avoid shrinkage or felting.
Performance Fabrics
Technical performance fabrics with laminates or membranes dry best when hung or laid flat instead of machine dried.
Delicate Prints
Birddogs with crisp prints or vibrant dyes are best professionally cleaned and dried or laid flat to dry to prevent image distortion or fading.
Considerations When Buying a Dryer for Birddogs
If purchasing a dryer to use for your Birddogs, look for models with:
- Low, gentle heat settings
- Delicate or air dry cycles
- Moisture or temperature sensors
- Steam options to relax wrinkles
- Rack or cage attachments
- Wool dryer balls to reduce friction
Avoid dryers with harsh heat settings, overly long drying times, or excessively large capacities that would require lots of tumbling.
Quick Tips for Drying Birddogs
Here are some quick tips to remember when it comes to drying your Birddogs:
- When in doubt, air dry!
- Skip the dryer sheets.
- Wash similar colors together.
- Use the coolest setting possible.
- Set a short timer to avoid overdrying.
- Lay flat or hang dry when possible.
- Add dryer balls to reduce friction.
- Turn garments inside out before drying.
- Use dryer racks or cages for delicate items.
- Spot clean when you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put Birddogs in the dryer?
It’s not recommended to put Birddogs in the dryer. The heat and tumbling motion can damage the fabrics. It’s best to air dry or use the lowest heat setting for just a few minutes if needed.
Do Birddogs shrink in the dryer?
Yes, Birddogs can shrink in the dryer due to heat exposure. Even on low heat settings, shrinkage is still possible over time with repeated drying.
Should you air dry Birddogs?
Air drying is the recommended method for Birddogs. Hanging or laying flat to dry avoids potential heat damage, shrinkage, fading, and other issues from machine drying.
Can you put Birddogs in the dryer on low?
Using the low heat setting minimizes damage but can still pose some risk when drying Birddogs. Keep drying times very brief, 10 minutes or less. Air drying is still preferable.
Should Birddogs be line dried?
Line drying works well for Birddogs. Make sure to hang delicates or items with prints/graphics using clips instead of clothespins to avoid imprints or snagging.
How long can you dry Birddogs?
Only dry Birddogs for 5-10 minutes on low heat if machine drying. Any longer risks overdrying which can cause damage. Remove promptly once finished drying.
What happens if you overdry Birddogs?
Overdrying Birddogs can result in excessive shrinkage, material breakdown, color fading, loss of water resistance, and a worn out texture or appearance.
The Bottom Line
Air drying is the safest method for taking care of your Birddogs. The materials and construction that make them so great for wearing can also make them prone to damage in the dryer. If machine drying is absolutely necessary, use the lowest heat for just a few minutes. With proper care, your Birddogs can deliver lasting comfort and performance for many wears to come.
