Clothes in a dryer

Quick tips for how to stop sheets from balling up in the dryer

Finding your sheets and blankets balled up in the dryer, still damp and wrinkled, can be incredibly frustrating. Tangled bedding can occur due to the limited space inside the dryer drum, causing larger items to twist and clump together during the drying cycle. Tangled sheets can prevent even drying and result in more wrinkles. In this article, we’ll explore effective strategies to help stop sheets from balling up in the dryer, ensuring they come out fresh, dry, and ready for a cozy night’s sleep.

Person moving laundry from a washer to a dryer Person moving laundry from a washer to a dryer

Why do my sheets end up in a ball in the dryer?

Bedding and sheets ball up in the dryer primarily due to not having enough space inside the dryer to move and tumble freely. Larger items like sheets, blankets and comforters can twist and tangle during the drum rotation. This movement can lead to sheets clumping in the dryer, leaving damp areas behind. The weight of wet sheets can exacerbate the issue, making it harder for them to separate and dry properly. The good news is, there are a few simple methods you can try to help keep laundry day moving without having to redry tangled bedding.

How to help prevent sheets from balling up in dryer

There are a few things you can try to keep sheets from balling up in the dryer in the first place. From adjusting load size to shaking items out after washing, take a moment to try these preventive steps when drying sheets, blankets and other large items.

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1. Choose a low heat setting

Using lower heat settings can help keep sheets from balling up in the dryer. Drying at lower temperatures allows for more controlled drying, helping sheets maintain their shape and reducing the likelihood of them twisting and clumping together during the cycle. You may also need to choose a longer drying time to allow any creases in the sheets to dry out.

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2. Shake out sheets and other items

After washing your sheets and blankets, give them a good shake to uncouple any twists or folds that may have formed. This simple step helps promote better airflow in the dryer and reduces the likelihood of bedding and sheets tangling and clumping during the drying cycle.

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3. Zip or button duvet covers

Help prevent duvet covers from balling up in the dryer by zipping or buttoning them closed. Securing them can help reduce tangling as well as help keep smaller items from becoming trapped inside any folds or crevices.

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4. Don’t overload the dryer

Since one of the main culprits behind balled up sheets is lack of space in the dryer drum, ensure that there is enough space for the sheets and blankets to move freely. Adjust your load size based on your dryer size. You may want to dry each large item separately, or upgrade to a large capacity dryer to handle more laundry at once.

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How to help keep sheets from tangling during a dryer cycle

Sheets and bedding may tangle once the dryer starts tumbling, even if precautions are taken before you start the cycle. There are a few items you can add to your load in order to help stop sheets balling up in your dryer including dryer balls, towels and specialized gadgets.

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Dryer balls

Dryer balls help prevent sheets from tangling by creating space between items as they tumble in the dryer. This increased airflow can help sheets dry more evenly while also reducing clumping. In addition, dryer balls can help combat wrinkle formation and potentially reduce the need for ironing.

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Tennis balls

If you don’t have dryer balls, adding tennis balls to your tumble dryer can have a similar effect. Be sure to inspect the tennis balls before and after running them through a dryer cycle to make sure they aren’t breaking down. Only use a low heat setting with tennis balls.

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A clean towel

Adding a dry, clean towel to the dryer with your sheets can help prevent tangling by creating more space and promoting better airflow. The towel absorbs moisture and helps separate the sheets as they tumble, which can lead to more even drying and reduced clumping.

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Specialized gadgets

You can find various tools and gadgets designed to help stop sheets from balling up in your dryer. They generally work by securing the corners or sides of sheets together to help reduce the likelihood of tangling.

More tips to help keep sheets from tangling in the dryer

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Shake halfway through

If you still find that your sheets are tangling in the dryer after following these tips, you can take a few extra steps. Stop your dryer cycle halfway through and remove your damp sheets. Shake them out again, place them loosely back in the dryer and resume the cycle.

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Line dry

Line drying sheets and blankets can help add some additional freshness to your bedding while helping to ensure they won’t get tangled or bunched up. In addition, drying bedding while hung or laid flat can help reduce the formation of wrinkles.

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Use a large mesh bag

Drying sheets in an extra large mesh bag can help keep them contained so they don’t become tangled. This method may require a longer drying time as the bag may also reduce air flow between layers of the bedding.

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How to dry fitted sheets without tangling

Drying fitted sheets can be especially tricky, as their elastic corners often lead to tangling, clumping and trapping smaller items. Follow these tips to help ensure your fitted sheets come out fresh and evenly dried.

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Dry fitted sheets separately

Dry smaller items like pillow cases, small blankets and the matching flat sheet separately from fitted sheets. Smaller bedding items can become trapped in the corners or pockets, causing fitted sheets to ball up in the dryer.

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Fold fitted sheets before drying

Securing the corners can help prevent fitted sheets from tangling in the dryer. To do this, start by folding the fitted sheet in half lengthwise, bringing the two corners together. Then, tuck one corner into the other, creating a bundle that keeps the elastic edges contained. Do the same for the other side, then place it in the dryer.

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Secure the corners

Attach specialized anti-wad devices to the corners of fitted sheets. These devices vary in design but generally connect the four corners of a fitted sheet together to help prevent the sheet from balling up or items from getting trapped within. You can also secure the corners with alligator clips.

Yellow striped, gray and pink clothes tumbling in a dryer Yellow striped, gray and pink clothes tumbling in a dryer

How do I stop the rest of my bedding tangling in the tumble dryer?

To keep quilts, blankets and comforters from balling up in the dryer, you can follow the same tips for sheets. Shake your washed bedding out before adding it to the dryer on a low heat setting with dryer balls. Take care not to overload the dryer and consider drying smaller items like pillows separately. Extra large or thick blankets may benefit from being shaken and fluffed halfway through a drying cycle. These tips can help keep blankets from balling up in your dryer, along with comforters and other bedding.

Shop Whirlpool® Washers and Dryers

Whirlpool® Washers and Dryers offer flexible installation and features that let you manage laundry your way. Select models help keep wrinkles from setting into clean, dry sheets and other fabrics with Wrinkle Shield Plus Option with Steam. While others feature Advanced Moisture Sensing to help prevent overdrying. Match your washer’s power source by choosing an electric dryer or gas dryer for streamlined installation and compatible cycles.

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