Can You Put Hoodies in the Dryer? (Without Shrinking Them)
Yes, you can put hoodies in the dryer, but use low heat, turn them inside out, and take them out while they're still a little damp. High heat is what shrinks cotton hoodies and cracks screen prints. Always check the care label first, because a few hoodies (some prints, some wool blends, some heated or tech hoodies) say air-dry only.
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Short answer: yes, but
Can hoodies go in the dryer? Mostly. Here's the quick version:
- Low or medium-low heat. Not high.
- Inside out. Protects prints and cuts down on pilling.
- Short cycle. Pull it out slightly damp and let it finish on a hanger or flat.
- Read the label. A square with a circle means tumble dry is okay. Dots inside the circle show heat level (one dot = low). A crossed-out one means don't.
Will a hoodie shrink in the dryer? Cotton ones can, especially the first few washes and on high heat. Polyester and blends shrink much less.
Cotton, fleece and poly blends in the dryer
| Hoodie fabric | Dryer okay? | Heat | Shrink risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% cotton | Yes, carefully | Low | Higher, especially when new |
| Cotton/poly blend | Yes | Low to medium | Moderate |
| Polyester fleece | Yes | Low | Low, but high heat can melt or pill it |
| Sherpa-lined, fluffy | Yes, carefully | Low or air | Low, but it can mat |
| Wool or wool blend | Usually no | Air-dry flat | High, can felt |
| Heated/tech hoodie | Check label, often no | Follow brand | Electronics risk |
Can you put a fleece hoodie in the dryer?
Yes, on low. Fleece dries fast, so it doesn't need long. Too much heat can make polyester fleece go flat or pill.
Can Oodies go in the dryer?
An Oodie (the oversized wearable blanket hoodie) is a big, fluffy, heavy piece. Follow the care label. If in doubt, tumble on low for a short time, then air-dry the rest of the way so the fluff doesn't mat. The same goes for any oversized sherpa hoodie.
Can you put shirts in the dryer?
Same rules as hoodies: low heat for cotton tees, inside out for anything printed, and pull them out slightly damp. Graphic tees crack the fastest on high heat.
Printed and embroidered hoodies
This is the big one. Your merch hoodie from a concert, your uni hoodie, your club team hoodie.
Can you put printed hoodies in the dryer?
Screen prints and heat-transfer prints (the smooth, slightly rubbery ones) hate high heat. Heat softens the ink, then it cracks or peels. To keep them:
- Wash inside out on cold.
- Dry inside out on low, or air-dry.
- Never iron directly on a print.
Can you put embroidered hoodies in the dryer?
Embroidery handles the dryer better than prints, but it can pucker if the hoodie shrinks around it. Inside out, low heat, and flatten the embroidery with your hands when it comes out.
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Settings that won't shrink it
Here's how to wash a hoodie without shrinking it, from washer to dryer.
How to wash hoodies in the washing machine
- Zip it up and turn it inside out. Zippers snag other clothes.
- Pull out the drawstring ends so they're even, or tie them loosely.
- Cold water, gentle or normal cycle.
- Wash with similar colors. Grey marl hoodies pick up lint and dye from darks.
- Normal amount of detergent, skip the extra.
Best dryer setting for hoodies
- Low heat (sometimes called "delicate" or "low temp").
- About 20 to 30 minutes for a regular hoodie, depending on your machine and load. Check it rather than trusting a number.
- Take it out a bit damp, shake it, and hang or lay it flat to finish.
Shared laundry in halls, a dorm or an apartment building? Those dryers often run hot. Choose the lowest setting and set a phone timer so you catch it early.
How to shrink a hoodie in the dryer (on purpose)
If your hoodie is too big, you can shrink a cotton one: wash in hot water, then dry on high heat, checking every 10 minutes. It's not precise and it's not reversible, and polyester barely shrinks. Blends shrink a little. Prints may crack. It's the same trick in our guide to making a shirt smaller without sewing.
Air-drying without stretching
If the label says no dryer, or you want your hoodie to last as long as possible, air-dry it.
How to air dry a hoodie
- Lay it flat on a drying rack or a clean towel. This is best.
- Reshape it while damp: straighten the hood, cuffs and hem.
- Flip it halfway through so it dries evenly.
- Keep it out of direct heat, like right on a radiator, which can scorch or shrink it.
A heavy hoodie can take a day or more to air-dry indoors. A short tumble on low at the end speeds it up and makes it fluffier.
Should you hang hoodies?
For drying: hanging wet hoodies on a hanger can stretch the shoulders and make the body long, because wet cotton is heavy. Drape it over a rack or lay it flat instead.
For storing: folding is better than hanging for heavy hoodies. Hanging long-term can leave shoulder bumps and slowly stretch the neck. Lighter zip-ups on wide hangers are usually fine.
Should I wash my hoodies inside out?
Yes. Inside out protects prints, reduces pilling on the outside, and keeps the color fresher. It's the single easiest hoodie care tip. For more on keeping them going, see how long a hoodie should last.
Look after the hoodies you actually wear
WORN is being built to remember your outfits instead of scoring them. You'd take one photo a day in a single tap, and after a month you'd see which hoodies are actually on repeat, so you know which ones deserve the careful wash. Photos stay private by default and delete in one action.
FAQ
Can you put hoodies in the dryer without shrinking them?
Yes. Turn them inside out, use low heat, and take them out while slightly damp. Most shrinking comes from high heat and over-drying, especially with 100% cotton.
Do hoodies shrink in the dryer?
Cotton hoodies can shrink, most noticeably in the first few washes and on high heat. Polyester and cotton-poly blends shrink much less. Low heat and short cycles keep shrinking to a minimum.
Should you hang hoodies or fold them?
Fold heavy hoodies for storage so the shoulders and neck don't stretch. For drying, lay them flat or drape them over a rack instead of hanging on a hanger while soaking wet.
Can you tumble dry a printed hoodie?
Usually, on low and inside out, unless the label says not to. High heat can crack or peel prints. If it's a hoodie you really love, air-drying is the safest option.
How long should you dry a hoodie in the dryer?
On low heat, around 20 to 30 minutes is common, but machines differ a lot. Check it early and take it out while it's still a little damp, then let it finish flat.