Expert: Henry Boyter - 3/4/2005

Question
My wife recently told me to dry her clothes in the dryer on a medium heat instead of high heat. she believes the higher heat will have a bleaching effect on her clothes. My question is is she correct in her assumption?

Answer
1. Your wife is always correct.

2. Depends on the heat of your dryer and the fabric.  Most do not operate at a temperature any higher than the machines the fabric was manufactured on.  Could be an odd fabric.

3. Another possible explaination is that the fabric has a finish that may break down with repeated heat and washing to make the color look like it is faded.

4. Continued washing could also remove color from the fabric which is only seen after hot drying or with more of the finish removed, the dyes could be exposed unlike in the new fabric.

5. There are several reasons this can happen.  With modern fabrics, I suspect repeated washing and added detergents/etc are the culprits.  For example if bleach is not completely rinsed out there could be an effect.

6. I repeat, See #1.