There's a classic moment in Seinfeld where Jerry, in a laundry-related discussion with George, quips "you can't over-dry for the same reason you can't over-wet". But here's the thing, Mr Seinfeld, you couldn't be more wrong.
According to CHOICE laundry experts, clothes should actually be ever so slightly moist when they come out of the dryer. Why? Because 'over-drying' can cause damage which reduces the lifespan of your clothes.
Decades of dryers have come through our labs which has helped our experts uncover useful information like this – the kinds of things that manufacturers don't tend to highlight.
We test based on the needs and expectations of the average consumer, so you can find a top performing model that doesn't damage your clothes or blow out the electricity bill. But, a word of warning. Our results contain multiple uses of the word 'moist'. Here's how our testing finds the real truth about which dryer is the best.
Our moisture measurements help protect your clothes
Dryers that can't bring the total moisture content of a load of washing down to six percent or less should not be registered for sale in Australia (despite this, we still find models that exceed it from time to time). But even six percent is still a little too wet for our experts.
We've determined that the best-performing dryers leave fabrics with a moisture content of 4–4.5%. Our experts feel this range delivers the best balance between adequate dryness, energy efficiency, and fabric care. Dryers with a moisture content between 4.5–6% score lower in our test but can still be otherwise acceptable products.
It's actually possible to over-dry as well, because a moisture content of 2.5% or less can damage clothes over time. We test for this and note it in the 'bad points' of our dryers review. Our experts also give out lower scores for dryers that leave clothes too dry after a cycle.
This is an important part of our test as advertising suggests that bone dry clothes is a good thing – but we know better. Extending the lifespan of your clothes isn't just good for your wallet, it's good for the environment too.
We've added a new bedding test
Plenty of Aussie households need to regularly wash big piles of bedding and we're also seeing more and more dryers that have added a 'bed' or 'bedding' mode specifically designed for washing bedsheets. We felt our performance assessment didn't cover these features to our usual standards so our lab experts have developed and implemented a brand-new bedding test.
To kick things off, we purchased a number of complete bedding sets (flat sheet, fitted sheet and pillow cases) from local retailers – 2.4kg of bedding per test dryer to be exact. This forms the basis of our bedding test, as local products will likely match those found in average Australian homes.
But though it is tempting to just toss everything in our dryers like most people tend to do (don't lie, we know how you live), this approach is impossible to replicate in every test. So, our experts have put together a specific loading technique to ensure that our test of the bedding mode on each dryer is directly comparable.
We weigh bed sheets before and after drying to calculate moisture content.
Once the bedding cycle is complete, our experts thoroughly check the material for moisture. This involves weighing the bedding before (at 90% moisture) and after drying to figure out how much moisture has been removed, as well as a 'touch test'.
Every centimetre of the bedding in each load is physically checked for concentrated damp spots that may not be evident in the weigh-in. It's true, our testers get to spend a portion of their day rubbing linens.
But it makes sense. After all, bed sheets are big and can get tangled up, twisted or bundled, which can cause problems for some dryers. Models that don't effectively and evenly remove moisture from all items score less in the bedding tests.
We estimate real-world energy usage
You know those star stickers on the front of appliances? They're Energy Ratings, a strictly regulated certification system that indicates the energy efficiency of a product. More stars equals greater efficiency.
Manufacturers want to earn the best energy star rating possible – understandably so. But the way they go about that may not reflect how you're using a dryer at home.
It all comes down to the weight of your laundry load. Most manufacturers fill their dryers to the brim during the certification, but our experts use a smaller, 3.5kg load with an initial moisture content that's almost at its limit (90%). This load size is a better representation of how the average Australian uses their dryer.
Smaller loads aren't as energy efficient, which is why our energy test gives a more realistic indication of energy consumption during normal use
You'd think a bigger load would use more energy but it's actually the opposite. Smaller loads aren't as energy efficient, which is why our energy test gives a more realistic indication of energy consumption during normal use. You may find that energy consumption is a bit higher at home than the star stickers suggest.
How did we decide on a 3.5kg load? With the help of consumers and our members. Our surveys found that Australian households generally don't use a full load and this helped our testers land on that 3.5kg sweet spot.
This isn't the first time we've reached out to members when developing test methods. You can help ensure that our tests meet the real world needs of Australian consumers by joining CHOICE.
We're on your side
For more than 60 years, we've been making a difference for Australian consumers. In that time, we've never taken ads or sponsorship.
Instead we're funded by members who value expert reviews and independent product testing.
With no self-interest behind our advice, you don't just buy smarter, you get the answers that you need.
You know without hesitation what's safe for you and your family.
And you'll never be alone when something goes wrong or a business treats you unfairly.
Learn more about CHOICE membership today
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
