Keeping your sheets from balling up in the dryer is not just about aesthetics. Tangled and twisted sheets can lead to uneven drying, prolonged dry times, and even wear and tear on your bedding.
To make your laundry routine smoother, follow these expert tips to keep your sheets untangled and properly dried.
Meet the Expert
Becky Rapinchuk is the founder of the Clean Mama blog and Clean Mama cleaning products.
Untangle Sheets Before Placing Them in the Dryer
One of the most effective ways to prevent balled-up sheets starts with how you load them. Becky Rapinchuk, founder of Clean Mama blog, recommends untangling the sheets after they come out of the washer.
“When I move the sheets from the washer to the dryer, I make sure that the sheets aren’t tangled up by untangling them a bit as I put them in the dryer,” she explains.
Taking just a few extra moments to shake them out ensures the sheets have a better chance of staying separate during the drying cycle.
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Use Dryer Balls to Keep Sheets Separated
Dryer balls are an excellent tool for combating tangled sheets. These small, lightweight balls bounce around in the dryer, helping to separate items and improve airflow.
“Place the wet sheets in the dryer with three dryer balls – the dryer balls help to keep things from getting tangled, and they cut down on dry time,” Rapinchuk says.
Wool dryer balls are a popular choice because they’re natural and reusable, but silicone or plastic options work just as well.
Easy Substitute for Dryer Balls
If you don’t have dryer balls on hand, a few clean tennis balls can also do the trick in a pinch.
Dry Sheets in Smaller Loads
Overloading the dryer is one of the primary culprits behind balled-up sheets. When too many items are tumbling together, it’s easy for sheets to wrap around smaller pieces of laundry.
Instead, dry sheets on their own or with a minimal load to give them more room to move freely. Smaller loads also allow the heat and airflow to reach every part of the fabric, ensuring even drying. Also, separating your laundry by type reduces wear and tear on delicate fabrics like sheets.
Pair Sheets with Similar Fabrics
Drying sheets with lightweight items like pillowcases or other sheets (instead of heavy towels or jeans) can prevent them from twisting together. Lightweight fabrics tumble more evenly, reducing the chance of tangling.
Stop and Untangle Halfway Through the Cycle
If you’ve ever pulled out a giant, balled-up fitted sheet from the dryer, you’re not alone. Rapinchuk shares a simple but effective hack.
“Put the dryer on time for 20 minutes. Once the 20 minutes are up, open the dryer, pull out the sheets, and untangle them,” she says.
This mid-cycle pause gives you the chance to separate any knots and ensure that the sheets dry evenly. Make this step part of your routine, and you’ll notice a significant difference in the final results. It might feel like an extra step, but the effort pays off in fluffier, evenly dried sheets.
Prevent Hidden Laundry in Fitted Sheets
To stop smaller clothes and linens from sneaking into the corners of your fitted sheets, fasten the elastic edges together loosely before drying. This creates a loose pocket that’s less likely to trap other items.
Choose the Right Dryer Settings
The settings on your dryer can also impact how your sheets behave during the cycle. Opt for a lower heat setting and use the tumble dry or delicates setting, if available. These settings reduce the speed and intensity of the tumbling action, minimizing the likelihood of tangling.
Pairing a lower heat setting with a timed cycle (as opposed to the auto-sensor) allows you to monitor the sheets more closely and adjust if needed. You’ll protect your sheets while avoiding unnecessary energy use.
Fold Immediately After Drying
Once the drying cycle is complete, promptly remove the sheets from the dryer and fold them. Leaving sheets in the dryer for an extended period gives them more opportunity to wrinkle or tangle. By folding them right away, you’ll not only maintain a neat and crisp appearance but also save yourself the hassle of ironing later.
