Selecting the right dryer cycle is key to properly drying your clothes and extending the life of your garments. With so many cycle options available on modern dryers, it can be confusing to know which one to choose. This guide will walk you through the main dryer cycles and when to use each one for optimal results.

Understanding the Main Dryer Cycles

Dryers typically offer anywhere from 5-10 different cycle options. While names and specifics vary between models and brands, the main cycles tend to be:

Normal or Regular Cycle

The normal or regular cycle is the standard drying cycle that works for most loads. It runs at a medium heat setting and tumbles clothes continuously until they are dry.
Use this for sturdy everyday items like towels, sheets, jeans, etc. The normal cycle runs anywhere from 40-60 minutes generally.

Delicates Cycle

As the name suggests, the delicates cycle is a gentle setting made for drying fragile fabrics prone to heat damage.
It uses medium or low heat and has short periods of tumbling between rest periods to reduce wear. Delicates cycles range from 30-40 minutes typically.
Use this cycle for silks, lingerie, gym clothes with spandex, or any fabric labeled delicate.

Permanent Press or Wrinkle Control Cycle

This cycle is made to minimize wrinkles in fabrics like linens, dress shirts, pants, etc.
It runs at medium heat but stops tumbling once clothes are almost dry to allow them to finish drying with less motion. The cycle times out around 40-50 minutes usually.
Use permanent press for wrinkle-prone cottons, linens, rayons, shirts, pants, dresses, etc.

Timed or Quick Dry Cycles

These cycles run the dryer at a certain temperature for a set time, usually 30-60 minutes. They do not sense moisture like other cycles.
Timed cycles are good for small loads you want to freshen up quickly. The longer the time selected, the hotter the dryer runs.
Use for lightweight items like lingerie or exercise clothes that dry fast. Avoid for heavier fabrics which may come out still damp.

Air Dry or No Heat Cycle

As the name states, this cycle tumbles clothes without applying any heat.
It relies solely on air circulation to dry items and can take several hours to fully dry a normal load.
Use air dry for items like rubber, plastics, foam, or anything heat-sensitive you don’t want to put in the dryer on a heated cycle.

Sanitize Cycle

This high-heat cycle is designed to kill bacteria and reduce allergens or germs on laundry.
Sanitize cycles typically reach 150°F+ temperatures and run for 60-120 minutes depending on the model.
Use this cycle for towels, sheets, sick bedding, children’s clothes, delicates, or for general sanitization.

Bulky Items Cycle

This cycle provides expanded tumbling space and runs longer to accommodate large, bulky items.
It tumbles very slowly and uses medium heat to dry bulky fabrics thoroughly. Bulky cycles can take 60-90 minutes generally.
Use it for comforters, blankets, pillows, pet bedding, stuffed animals, or any large, thick fabrics.

Understanding Dryer Settings

In addition to choosing a cycle, there are also additional dryer settings you can adjust:

Heat Setting

Allows you to manually select the temperature you want the dryer to run at. Options typically include:

High heat: Approx. 135°F – 175°F. Best for heavy fabrics like denim or towels.
Medium heat: Approx. 115°F – 135°F. Good for most cottons and linens.
Low heat: Approx. 80°F – 115°F. Ideal for delicates and synthetics.
No heat: Air dries without heat. Use for plastics, foam, rubber, etc.

Dryness Level

Allows you to select how dry you want clothes to end up:

More Dry or Max Dry: Runs cycle until all moisture is removed. Good for heavy towels or bulky items.
Standard or Normal Dry: Stops when clothes are dry to the touch. Best for most loads.
Damp Dry or Less Dry: Ends cycle while clothes are slightly moist to avoid over-drying. Great for delicates and synthetics.
Timed Dry: Runs cycle for set time only, does not sense dryness.

Cycle Signal or Buzzer

Enables or disables an audible signal or buzer at the end of the drying cycle. Turn this on if you want to be notified when a cycle is complete.

Wrinkle Guard

Provides periodic tumbling for up to 140 minutes after the cycle finishes to prevent wrinkles from setting. Useful for keeping clothes wrinkle-free if you cannot remove them right away.

Delay Start

Allows you to delay the start of the drying cycle from 30 minutes up to 12-24 hours, depending on the model. Great for programming cycles to start when convenient.

Tips for Selecting the Right Cycle

Follow these simple tips to select the best dryer cycle for each laundry load:

Read fabric care labels – Look for drying instructions and heat recommendations. This will guide you to the right cycle.

Separate lint-producers from lint-collectors – Towels and linens can collect lint from clothes so dry them separately.

Dry similar fabrics together – Don’t mix heavy denim with lightweight synthetics. Similar fabrics dry best.

Use low heat for synthetics and delicates – High heat can damage elastic, lycra, rayon, and silk fabrics.

Remove clothes promptly – As soon as a cycle finishes, take clothes out to reduce wrinkling.

Clean lint filter before every cycle – A lint-clogged filter reduces airflow and dries clothes slower.

Periodically do an empty “fluff” cycle – Fluff cycles help remove moisture from the dryer itself to maximize drying power.

When in doubt, select the normal or regular cycle – It is suitable for most everyday laundry loads.

Adjust settings as needed – If clothes are still damp or over-dried, modify heat or dryness levels accordingly on the next cycle.

Common Questions About Dryer Cycles

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about selecting dryer cycles:

What cycle should I use for cottons?

The normal or regular cycle is best for most cotton fabrics like t-shirts, jeans, dresses, etc. Use medium or high heat based on the item thickness.

What’s the best cycle for baby clothes and linens?

Use the delicate or permanent press cycle along with low or medium heat for safe drying of all baby items.

How should I dry towels and sheets?

Towels and sheets can handle high heat well. Use the normal cycle plus high heat for complete drying.

What cycle is best for drying blankets?

Use the bulky items or bedding cycle to safely dry large or thick blankets. Select low or medium heat.

What cycle should I use for dress shirts and pants?

The permanent press cycle minimizes wrinkles in dress clothes. Medium heat is ideal.

What cycle works best for lingerie and gym clothes?

Use the delicates cycle and low heat setting for silky lingerie or stretchy athletic wear with spandex.

How do I dry shoes and sneakers?

You can use the air dry no heat cycle or stuff the shoes with newspaper and use the timed 30 minute cycle.

Can all dryer cycles use any heat setting?

Yes, you can pair any cycle with low, medium or high heat depending on the fabric items in the load.

When to Use Dryer Cycles Versus Air Drying

While dryers provide a quick and convenient way to dry laundry, air drying is gentler on clothes and can prolong their lifespan. Here are some guidelines on when air drying may be preferable:

Air dry delicate and synthetic fabrics: Lingerie, gym clothes with spandex, and synthetics like rayon are safest line dried to prevent damage from heat.

Air dry heavy sweaters and knits: Lay flat to dry to prevent stretching out of shape from the tumbling of a dryer cycle.

Air dry fine fabrics: Silk, satin, and delicate lace and chiffon fabrics can snag or tear in the dryer. Line dry only.

Air dry as an energy saver: Drying racks and clotheslines save electricity when you have the time and space.

Dryer cycles for most everyday laundry: Towels, sheets, jeans, and cotton clothing can safely be machine dried to make laundry day fast and hassle-free.

So in summary, take into account the fabric, delicacy, and wrinkling tendencies of an item when deciding between machine drying and air drying for the best results. If air drying space is limited, dryer cycles can be a huge help for most busy households.

Conclusion

I hope this guide has helped explain the main dryer cycle options and how to select the right one for optimal fabric care and drying. While it may seem complex at first, just take it load by load. Read garment labels, separate lint producers from collectors, match similar items, and use heat levels suitable for each fabric type.

With some trial and error, practice, and experience with your dryer’s cycles, you’ll discover which settings work best to dry your laundry while keeping clothes looking and feeling great. So take the time to understand your dryer’s cycles, make use of the settings available, and your entire laundry routine will become much more simple and efficient.

How to Select the Correct Dryer Cycle