It may be tempting to try drying wet clothes in a microwave oven if there are no other options.
Is this a good idea?
So, Can You Dry Clothes In a Microwave Oven?
Absolutely Not. It is important to note that attempting to dry clothes in a microwave oven can be dangerous and can potentially damage both the microwave and the clothes.
Six Reasons Why A Microwave Oven Is Not Suitable For Drying Clothes
1. Risk Of Fire
Using a microwave oven to dry clothes can pose a risk of fire.
Your clothes can catch fire if they are too close to the microwave’s heating element or contain metal or other materials that can cause a spark.
And since most of your clothes are likely to have metallic zips, they may catch fire.
2. Damage To Clothes
The intense heat of a microwave oven can damage your clothes, causing shrinkage, discoloration, or other types of damage.
3. Uneven Drying
Microwave ovens are designed to use heat and moisture for cooking food, which can result in drying ragged clothes.
Some areas of your clothes will dry, while others will remain damp.
4. Limited Space
Microwave ovens have limited space, making it challenging to dry larger items or many clothes at once.
This makes it an inconvenient method of drying clothes.
5. Poor Air Circulation
Microwave ovens do not have proper air circulation.
As a result, the clothes most likely won’t dry completely.
6. Health Concerns
Using a microwave oven to dry clothes can release fumes or other pollutants into the air, harming your health if you breathe them in.
It is also not recommended to use a microwave oven to dry clothes treated with chemicals, such as mothballs or insect repellents, as these chemicals can be released into the air during drying.
Inhaling these fumes can have catastrophic ramifications on your health. It may not show up fast, but it will happen in the long run.
What About Synthetic Clothes?
Drying clothes, synthetic or otherwise, is not recommended in a microwave oven.
As we mentioned earlier, microwaves are designed to heat food, not fabric, and using a microwave to dry clothes can damage both the microwave and the clothes.
Additionally, synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic can catch fire if exposed to high temperatures.
This puts you and anyone operating the oven at grave risk.
If you need to dry synthetic clothes quickly, it is better to use a clothes dryer or hang them up to air dry.
Six Alternative Methods For Drying Clothes
Now that you won’t use your microwave oven to dry clothes, it is time to explore other ideal methods. They are many. But here are six alternative methods for drying clothes:
1. Drying Rack
A drying rack is a simple, energy-efficient option for drying clothes indoors. The good thing about it is that you can set it up anywhere in your home and take up minimal space.
2. Clothesline
If you have an outdoor space, you can use a clothesline or drying line to hang your clothes and let them air-dry.
This is a natural and cost-effective way to dry clothes. It is one of the most widely used methods of drying clothes.
3. Dryer Balls
Dryer balls are small, spiky balls that you can place in the dryer with your clothes.
They help to separate the clothes and reduce drying time by allowing hot air to circulate more efficiently.
It is a fast way of drying clothes that most people prefer.
4. Apply The Towel Trick
You can try the towel trick if you need to dry a small load of clothes quickly.
It is simple. You must wet your clothes, roll them in a towel, and then wring out the excess water.
Afterward, you can hang the dresses on a drying rack or hang them up to dry.
5. Portable Dryer
If you don’t have access to a traditional dryer, you can resort to a portable dryer.
Portable dryers are small, electric appliances that you can use to dry a load of clothes in a few hours.
6. Use a Fan
You just have to set up the fan so it’s blowing directly on your clothes, and the air will help to evaporate the moisture.
Just be sure to keep an eye on your clothes, so they don’t get too stiff or wrinkled.
Five Tips For Properly Drying Clothes
1. Sort Your Clothes Before Washing Them
You need to sort your clothes by fabric type and weight to ensure that they dry evenly.
Also, avoid drying heavy items with lighter ones, as the heavy objects can cause the lighter ones to wrinkle.
2. Use The Correct Heat Setting
Intense heat can harm your fabrics.
This is why you should use the lowest heat setting possible for the fabric type you are drying.
3. Avoid Overloading The Dryer
Do not stuff too many clothes into the dryer at once, as it can cause them to take longer to dry and can also cause them to wrinkle.
4. Use Dryer Balls Or Fabric Softener Sheets
Dryer balls or fabric softener sheets can help reduce static and wrinkling. They can also help dry your clothes faster by separating them and allowing more air to circulate.
5. Take Clothes Out Promptly
You should remove your clothes from the dryer as soon as they are done to prevent wrinkles and reduce the need for ironing.
If you can’t fold your clothes immediately, hang them up or flat to prevent wrinkling.
Final Words
It is not safe to dry clothes in a microwave oven.
Exposing clothes to the microwave’s high levels of heat and radiation can cause them to catch fire or be damaged.
Additionally, the moisture in the clothes can cause steam which is equally a safety hazard.
Instead of using a microwave oven to dry clothes, it is recommended to use a clothes dryer or hang the clothes to air dry.
Sources
https://www.canstarblue.com.au/appliances/rainy-day-ways-to-dry-your-clothes/
