If a dryer is not hot enough, the germs and bacteria in your clothes may multiply to unsafe levels. A professional grade steam cleaner can help sanitize the unit before you use it again.
The “how hot does a dryer get on high” is the question that many people wonder. The answer to this question is not 100% accurate, but it will give you a good idea of how hot your dryer gets.
Dryers are really beneficial. Some individuals refuse to purchase them because they believe they would cause their garments to shrink, while others just do not know what sizes are appropriate for them. Most of you who currently possess a dryer understand how useful it is to have an equipment that can swiftly heat up and dry your clothing. The issue is how hot a dryer can go and whether or not that heat can kill bacteria.
Let’s face it, even if you’re the cleanest, hygienic person in the room, you’ll pick up some germs on your clothing. It’s an unavoidable consequence of mingling outdoors. Bacteria, for the most part, cannot tolerate high temperatures (though there are exceptions), so a little hot water and little heat exposure should suffice. However, you’ll need a decent balance of heat; after all, too much will destroy your clothing, and if you don’t have enough, germs can wander free on your clothes.
In this essay, I’ll attempt to address your question concerning dryer heat. By the end, you’ll have figured out the best temperature to eradicate bacteria while leaving your garments intact. But, before we go any further, let’s talk about how hot a single dryer can become.
What Is the Maximum Temperature of a Dryer?
As previously mentioned, a dryer cannot be too hot since excessive temperatures might harm clothes. When water hits the boiling point, it begins to steam and evaporate, which may cause the cloth to burn. Manufacturers have understood this since the first dryers were introduced on the market.
The ‘industry standard’ for dryer heat is expected to reach between 125°F and 135°F by 2020. Of fact, 135°F isn’t even close to the maximum temperature a dryer can reach. Most current dryers have a maximum temperature of 150°F, while the finest dryers we tested had a maximum temperature of 176°F. Naturally, whether there are germs or not, you will never require so high a temperature to dry typical clothes.
These are the most typical dryer temperature settings. What you need to find out is your dryer’s temperature and whether or not it can destroy bacteria.
Identifying the Dryer’s Temperature Settings
There are two typical techniques for determining your dryer’s temperature settings. The first option is straightforward: all you have to do is read the user handbook. After all, isn’t it intended to provide the temperature range?
In a nutshell, yes and no. There are certainly brands that specify the temperature range of their dryers. However, don’t be shocked if you don’t discover anything in the user manual regarding how hot it may become. Another issue is that, even if the dryer does mention the temperature range, they often overstate or offer false information, resulting in clothing that are still contaminated after drying.
If that occurs, the second approach, which includes using a thermometer, may be used. You may go about it in two distinct ways. Stick a meat thermometer in the pile when you pull your clothing out of the dryer and write down the figures. If you have a little more cash, you can acquire an infrared thermometer instead, which will give you an accurate reading without requiring you to place it anywhere.
What You Shouldn’t Do With Thermometers
Many folks just purchase a mercury thermometer and place it in clean, dry clothing. However, I would caution against doing so, since we all know what happens when mercury is placed directly in contact with a heat source.
Surprisingly, some individuals keep thermometers inside running dryers to obtain the most accurate reading. It should go without saying that you should never, ever, ever place a functional item inside a dryer. You should stick to the other methods I provided unless you want to risk ruining your dryer or short-circuiting a fuse.
What Effect Does Heat Have on Germs and Bacteria?
Heat sensitivity is present in almost all bacteria. They are also susceptible to various infections, but heat seems to be the most common ‘germ killer.’ Naturally, various species of bacteria have varied levels of heat sensitivity; some may die at relatively low temperatures, while others may live in quite high temperatures. Some bacteria, in fact, can operate fairly effectively in extremely high temperatures.
So, how does this relate to our dryer’s germ-killing abilities? To find out how it will treat germs, we must first determine what kind of dryer we have. There are two sorts of dryers, roughly speaking:
- Condenser (ventless) dryers
- dryers with vents
A condenser dryer does what its name suggests — it takes the moisture from clothes and condenses it into water. On the other hand, dryers with vents pull dry air inside of themselves from the laundry room. They then vent out all of the moist air through a special hose.
Both of these dryers have one thing in common, and that’s generating heat. Both condenser and dryers with vents heat up the air inside of the drum, which gives the evaporation a needed boost. The hot air inside should, theoretically, be able to kill bacteria and germs. So, what would be the ideal temperature for getting rid of microbes from your clothes during the drying?
The Optimal Temperature for Germ Killing
Before we go into the best temperature for destroying bacteria and germs, let’s get one thing straight: you’ll never be able to get rid of all the germs on your clothing. Furthermore, you should not want to do so.
When most people think of germs and bacteria, they think of those that may hurt us and are often associated with deadly illnesses. Millions of so-called beneficial microorganisms, on the other hand, assist our bodies remain healthy. Fortunately, many of these useful bacteria are heat resistant.
And, by chance, most of the bacteria you’d consider hazardous aren’t very heat-resistant. In fact, they flourish in temperatures ranging from 57 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature level will, of course, vary based on the microorganism. To put it another way, some people may perish at lower temperatures than others.
But I’ve gone on long enough about the issue – what is the maximum dryer temperature that kills germs? That’s 149°F, barely below the maximum temperature that most dryers can take.
Do Dryers That Heat Up to 149°F Disinfect Clothes?
People often ask me what temperature in the dryer will totally sterilize their garments. The reality is that no dryer can achieve that since disinfecting anything entirely requires a very high level of heat. And attempting to reach that source would most likely burn the garments away, so it’s worthless.
But, as I previously indicated, you don’t need to get rid of 100% of the germs on your clothing since many of them are helpful to your health. However, sanitizing them in the dryer will remove 99.9% of the hazardous ones, so you’re safe either way.
What if I’m unable to get the ideal temperature?
You can still get rid of most hazardous bacteria even if your dryer doesn’t reach the proper temperature. There is, however, a catch. You must expose your garments to the heat for a longer period of time than normal to accomplish it effectively at a low temperature.
At 135°F, not all germs and bacteria will die, but those that do will be gone in a couple of minutes. In a 145°F dryer, persistent microorganisms that tolerate heat well will take around 30 minutes to destroy. Fortunately, these hardy bacteria are few and far between; the majority of the ones you wish to destroy are in the 135°F range.
Naturally, how well you get rid of these germs will be determined on the sort of clothes you’re attempting to dry. Polyester, for example, requires quick drying times and low temperatures. By going here, you may learn more about various textiles and how they dry.
Is There Anything Else My Dryer Can Get Rid Of?
As you can see, a dryer is quite efficient against the majority of hazardous microorganisms. Microbes, on the other hand, aren’t the only living things that find a new home in our shirts and skirts. As a result, we need to know how successful a dryer is in removing other unpleasant living creatures that crawl all over cloth.
Dust mites are a kind of mite that lives in the
Dust mites are a kind of mite that lives in the are not only incredibly annoying, but also dangerous for your health. And while there are plenty of methods of getting rid of them on various online lists, few sources mention dryer heat.
You’ll be glad to learn that dryers can completely eliminate dust mites if you have a problem with them. It just takes around 15 minutes and a 130°F heat setting. So, if you have a dryer that can produce even more heat, the mites will be dead in even less time. You won’t be able to get rid of their decomposing corpses or excrement using only the dryer; instead, properly wash the garments first.
Bed Bugs
To me, personally, bed bugs are far more disgusting and annoying than Dust mites are a kind of mite that lives in the, and they can be just as dangerous. So, when I learned that dryers can kill them, I felt both relieved and a bit elated at once.
You’ll need to expose your garments to a temperature of 120°F for at least 30 minutes to kill bed bugs in the dryer. Although the eggs are more durable than adult bugs, 90 minutes should enough. If your dryer is capable of handling greater temperatures, you should be able to get rid of them in around 15 minutes.
Is it possible for my dryer to overheat, and if so, why?
A dryer, like any other device, may overheat. Because dryers are designed to be hot, most people don’t notice. However, I cannot emphasize enough that if your appliance becomes hotter than normal, you must pay special attention. You risk your dryer breaking down or perhaps sparking a home fire if you don’t.
The following are some of the most prevalent causes of dryer overheating:
Air Flow Restrictions
Lint filters and vents are included with most dryers. If any of these becomes blocked, your dryer will not have enough air flow to perform correctly. When this occurs, the dryer’s internal temperature rises, potentially leading to overheating.
Always remember to clean the lint filter and check for anything obstructing the vents to avoid air flow limits.
Problems with the Thermostat
The thermostat in a dryer is in charge of controlling the temperature within the machine. Thermostats break down all the time, and when they do, there’s a danger of overheating. To avoid future fires, you should purchase and install a new thermostat; they aren’t especially expensive, and the repairs are so easy that anybody can handle them.
On the Fritz, there is a heating element.
The heating element in a dryer is just as crucial as the thermostat, and you should inspect it often. After extensive usage, these components may move, bend, or warp. You may anticipate a heat imbalance once they do. The next step is to arrange as soon as feasible a repair or replacement.
Final Thoughts on Dryers, Germs, and Bacteria
Dryers may become fairly hot, and since most hazardous bacteria are thermophobic, it won’t take more than one drying session to get rid of them. Always double-check the sort of items you’re drying, as well as the maximum temperature setting on your dryer. In addition, pay special attention to any malfunctions or difficulties; after all, a dryer requires a great deal of upkeep and care in order to always provide the ideal basket of dry clothing.
Laundry is a popular home improvement project that many people undertake. The “putting laundry in a dryer for ten minutes kill any germs that may be present” is not exactly true, but it does kill most bacteria and viruses.
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