From stubborn pet hair to stinky gym bags and DIY heat packs, your dryer can be your ally in ways you might not have imagined.
15 Things You Never Knew Your Dryer Could Do
Published on Jan. 31, 2025
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Remove Pet Hair
To dislodge stubborn pet hair from clothes, fleece blankets and upholstery covers, Prasad offers this dryer hack: Before washing, toss them in the dryer on the air-fluff (no heat) setting for 10 minutes with a dryer sheet. The tumbling action loosens the hair, while the dryer sheet helps it enter the lint trap instead of clinging to your clothes.
“Don’t skip cleaning the lint trap after this cycle,” he says. “Pet hair can clog it quickly, reducing efficiency and potentially creating a fire hazard.”
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Restore Suede and Sweaters
Joseph Passalacqua, owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, says moistened dryer sheets in the air-fluff setting can restore the nap on suede items. “A test run with a client’s suede jacket showed better results than commercial suede brushes,” he says.
You can also de-pill sweaters by adding a damp microfiber cloth to a low-heat cycle for 15 minutes. “We discovered this when helping a client restore their cashmere collection, saving them expensive de-pilling tools,” he shares.
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Soften Itchy Knit Items
If your wool or knit items feel scratchy, the dryer can help soften them up, says Prasad. Use the air-fluff cycle or a low-heat setting, and toss in a few dryer balls or tennis balls to help massage the fibers. “Add a damp washcloth soaked with a small amount of fabric softener to the mix for extra conditioning,” he says. “Be sure not to over-dry, as this can lead to shrinkage.”
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Refresh Pet Beds
If you have a large pet bed, it might not be practical to stuff it into the washing machine regularly. So, try running it through two consecutive no-heat cycles, which effectively removes fur and dander, says Passalacqua. “The trick is adding three dryer balls and pausing halfway to empty the lint trap,” he says. “One client saw their child’s allergic reactions decrease significantly after we implemented this weekly routine.”
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Deodorize Smelly Bags, Jackets and Shoes
Gym bags, backpacks and heavy jackets aren’t easily washed, but you can freshen them up in the dryer on the air-fluff setting by adding a dryer sheet or a sachet of dried herbs, says Prasad. Don’t use heat, as that could warp or melt heat-sensitive parts like zippers and rubber linings.
Passalacqua also suggests deodorizing sneakers by running them on low heat with two dry towels and adding a few drops of essential oil to one of the towels. “Our clients report this method works 80% better than sprays or powders,” he says.
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Refresh Clothes Without Washing
Freshen up stale or wrinkled clothes with the dryer’s steam or refresh cycle. “It saves you a full wash cycle and it’s perfect for a quick fix before heading out,” says Prasad.
If your dryer doesn’t have a steam cycle, add a couple of ice cubes, says Chris Willatt, owner of Alpine Maids. “A quick ten-minute dry should do the trick,” he says.
- Pro-tip: Toss in a damp microfiber cloth with a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant fragrance, says Prasad. But don’t overdo the oil, or you may stain your clothes.
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Quickly Dry Freshly Washed Baby Gear
The dryer’s delicate cycle is the perfect mode for quickly drying baby items that need frequent washing, like cloth diapers, bibs and plush toys. “Use fragrance-free dryer sheets or wool dryer balls for baby items to avoid irritating sensitive skin,” says Prasad. “Toss in a clean towel to help speed up drying time for bulkier items.”
The delicate cycle is also good for lingerie and wool. “These cycles use lower heat and a slower spin, which can help prevent damage and shrinkage to sensitive fabrics,” says Alicia Sokolowski, President and CEO of AspenClean.
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Quickly Dry Shoes
If you have a newer dryer, it probably has a shoe rack (also great for hats), which keeps items stationary while the drum spins. “If your dryer doesn’t have a rack, you can DIY it by tying the laces of your shoes together, draping them over the dryer door so the shoes hang inside, and closing the door to keep them in place,” says Prasad.
- Note: Use low heat to avoid warping, and before putting any sneakers in the dryer, check your owner’s manual to make sure they won’t damage the appliance.
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Reviving Water-Damaged Books
Here’s a little-known dryer hack: If your dryer has a shoe rack, as is the case with many newer models, you can use it to save water-damaged books. Place the book upright in the dryer with several dry towels, run on low heat for 15-minute intervals and check frequently, says Passalacqua.
“This one surprised us,” he says. “We saved a client’s valuable cookbook collection this way after a small kitchen flood.”
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De-Wrinkle Curtains
Prasad recommends using your dryer’s steam cycle to smooth out wrinkles. Add a damp towel and run the dryer on a steam or air-fluff cycle for 10 to 15 minutes.
“Re-hang the curtains immediately after removing them from the dryer to avoid new wrinkles from forming,” he says. “If they’re still damp, the weight of the fabric will help them straighten out as they dry on the rod.”
Speaking of de-wrinkling, some dryers have a “wrinkle prevent” cycle or an “end-of-cycle” tumble that continues to tumble clothes intermittently after the drying cycle finishes, says Sokolowski. “This feature can help reduce the need for ironing and prevent clothes from developing deep wrinkles if you can’t remove them right away.”
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Fluff Up Pillows and Comforters
Bring bedding back to life by drying pillows and blankets on air-fluff with a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls, says Prasad. “The balls bounce around and break up clumps, redistributing the filling for that fresh-from-the-store feel,” he says.
- Pro Tip: Check your pillows’ care labels to make sure they’re dryer-safe, especially if they’re made of memory foam. Also, add a slightly damp washcloth or dryer sheet to help freshen things up while fluffing.
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Kill Bedbugs and Dust Mites, Plus Sanitize
High heat is lethal to these pests, so if you suspect your bedding or clothes might be infested, toss them in the dryer on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes to kill both the bugs and their eggs, says Prasad.
“Make sure the items you’re treating are dryer-safe and don’t overcrowd the drum to ensure the heat reaches every corner,” he says. “One common mistake is assuming a quick tumble will suffice: it won’t. Consistent high heat is the key.”
Beyond pests, you can use your dryer’s high-heat or “sanitize” setting to kill germs and bacteria, says Sokolowski. “It’s ideal for sanitizing items like sheets, towels, and stuffed animals,” she says.
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Pre-Warm Clothes or Bedding
There’s nothing better than slipping into warm clothes or bedding on a cold day, so Prasad suggests using your dryer to pre-warm items for a cozy experience. Toss your pajamas, socks or blankets in for five to 10 minutes on a low-heat setting.
“If you’re pre-warming bedding, time it so you remove the items right before you’re ready to use them,” he says. “Avoid high heat to prevent unnecessary wear on fabrics.”
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Create Quick DIY Heat Packs
Need a heat pack for sore muscles or cold hands? Fill a clean sock with uncooked rice, tie it closed and toss it in the dryer on a medium-heat setting for a couple of minutes, says Prasad. “The rice will retain heat, giving you a homemade solution in a pinch,” he says.
- Pro-tip: Add a few drops of essential oil to the rice for an aromatherapy boost, and always test the temperature before placing it on your skin.
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Experiment With Cycles and New Tech
Glenn Lewis, president of Mr. Appliance, says people tend to overlook some surprising and lesser-known dryer cycles and settings. These include the delicate cycle, which is great for sensitive fabrics and prevents shrinkage or damage, and air dry, which doesn’t use heat and is ideal for pillows and shoes.
Some dryers have moisture-sensing technology that automatically adjusts the drying time based on the amount of moisture in your clothes. “This prevents over-drying and helps conserve energy,” says Sokolowski.
Also, if you’re buying a new dryer, Lewis recommends looking for the latest technologies like: heat pumps, which use less energy; smart dryers, which allow remote control via apps and provide efficiency alerts; and moisture sensors, which prevent over-drying, protect fabrics and save energy.
About the Experts
- Nishant Prasad is a cleaning professional and COO of Clean Fanatics, which he co-founded in 2011, and which serves the Bengaluru, India, area.
- Joseph Passalacqua is owner at Maid Sailors Cleaning Services, a commercial and residential cleaning company serving the New York City area, and has more than a decade of cleaning experience.
- Alicia Sokolowski is President and CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company and products manufacturer in Vancouver, British Columbia.
- Glenn Lewis is President of Mr. Appliance, an appliance repair franchise and Neighborly company. He is responsible for the overall leadership and growth of Mr. Appliance throughout the US and Canada.
- Chris Willatt is the owner of Alpine Maids, a residential cleaning company with over 500 clients. He founded the company in Denver, Colorado, in 2015.
