Symptoms
- Clothes feel dry but heavily creased
- Wrinkling worse when clothes sit in the dryer after the cycle ends
- Certain fabrics like cotton and linen wrinkle more than others
- Wrinkle-prone even right after the buzzer sounds
Likely causes
- CommonLeaving clothes in the dryer after the cycle endsClothes sitting in a still, cooling drum set in wrinkles the longer they sit.
- CommonOverloading the dryerA packed drum prevents clothes from tumbling freely, causing creasing.
- PossibleOverdrying fabricRemoving all moisture makes some fabrics, especially cotton and linen, more prone to holding creases.
- PossibleNot using a wrinkle-guard or tumble-cool featureSkipping an available anti-wrinkle cycle option can lead to more set-in creases.
- Less commonMixing very different fabric weightsHeavy and light items tumbling together can crease the lighter fabrics.
What to do
- Remove clothes from the dryer as soon as the cycle ends rather than letting them sit.
- Reduce load size so items can tumble freely instead of getting packed together.
- Use a wrinkle-guard, tumble-cool, or extended tumble feature if your dryer has one and you can't unload immediately.
- Avoid overdrying by using a shorter cycle or checking clothes a few minutes early.
- Add a couple of dry towels to help separate items in a load of shirts or dress clothes.
- Hang or fold wrinkle-prone items immediately after removing them from the dryer.
- If wrinkling persists despite prompt unloading and reasonable load sizes, consider a lower heat setting for wrinkle-prone fabrics.
When to call a pro
This is a usage habit rather than a mechanical issue and doesn't typically require professional service.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.