Symptoms
- Some items bone dry while others in the same load are damp
- Damp spots tend to be in bunched or tangled clothing
- Problem worse with mixed fabric weights
- Items at the bottom or center of the load stay wetter
Likely causes
- CommonOverloaded drum preventing even tumblingA packed drum keeps some clothes from moving through the airflow evenly.
- CommonMixing heavy and light fabrics in the same loadLighter items finish drying much faster than heavy items like jeans or towels, but the cycle runs for the heavier ones.
- PossibleClothes tangled or bunched togetherItems wrapped inside others, like a shirt inside a sheet, don't get consistent airflow.
- PossibleWorn drum baffles reducing proper tumblingWithout effective lifting and dropping of clothes, some items don't rotate through the airflow.
- Less commonPartially restricted airflow reducing overall drying efficiencyA partially clogged vent can make the dryer just barely keep up with lighter loads but fail on heavier or larger ones.
What to do
- Reduce load size to allow better tumbling and airflow around each item.
- Sort loads by fabric weight, keeping heavy items like towels and jeans separate from lighter clothing.
- Shake out and separate tangled items like sheets or hoodies before loading.
- Check that the lint filter and vent are clean to rule out a general airflow issue.
- Inspect the drum baffles for wear or damage that could reduce tumbling effectiveness.
- Use a sensor-dry cycle if available, which adjusts for load dryness better than a fixed timed cycle.
- If uneven drying continues even with proper sorting and load size, have the moisture sensor and baffles checked.
Tools and parts
Dryer drum baffleSearch: “dryer drum baffle replacement”
When to call a pro
If sorting loads and reducing size doesn't fix uneven drying, a technician can check the moisture sensor and drum baffles.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.