Do Whirlpool dryers have a permanent press cycle?

Quick Answer

Whirlpool dryers have a Permanent Press cycle, which is also referred to as the “casual” or “wrinkle control” cycle on front-load washers and dryers. In permanent press, the wash cycle uses warm water and a slow spin speed to wash clothes, whereas the dryer cycle uses medium heat and has a cool-down phase to prevent wrinkles.

If your Whirlpool dryer doesn’t have a permanent press cycle, just dry your clothes on the delicate cycle with low heat settings.

If you are unsure about the given instructions on the care label of your fabric type, simply air-dry your clothes.

Key Takeaways

  • Permanent press is a type of fabric treatment, in which synthetic fabrics such as nylon or polyester are chemically treated in such a way that they do not lose their shape easily.
  • These types of fabrics do not wrinkle easily, however, it does not mean that they don’t wrinkle at all (you will still need to wash them carefully).
  • Most modern Whirlpool washing machines and dryers include a special cycle to launder permanent press clothing (casual or wrinkle control settings).
  • If your Whirlpool dryer does not have a special setting for permanent press clothes, use a delicate cycle, lowest heat, and shortest drying cycle.

How to dry permanent press clothes in a whirlpool dryer?

If you have a Whirlpool dryer with a permanent press setting, here are the steps you need to take to properly dry your clothes with care.

Note: Be sure to check the care label on each garment, as some permanent press clothes can only be tumble dried on low heat or hung to dry.

Step 1: Start by sorting your clothes

Sort your permanent press items to dry them separately from other types of clothing.

Step 2: Load the clothing into your dryer

Start by loading the “permanent press” labeled clothes into the dryer, and make sure not to overload the dryer as this can impact the outcome.

Step 3: Set the dryer to the permanent press setting

Your Whirlpool washer will either have a permanent press setting, wrinkle control, casual, or a dedicated Wrinkle Shield option.

With low to medium heat drying and then completing the cooling phase, this particular setting reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

This setting typically uses medium heat intermittently throughout the drying process at a lower temperature for a longer period of time. Therefore, it helps to prevent wrinkles and shrinkage and ensures that your clothes come out of the dryer looking their best.

Step 4: Remove your clothes

Once the cycle is complete, remove your clothes promptly and hang them up or fold them according to their care instructions.

Note: If your clothes come out of the dryer slightly damp, hang them up or lay them flat to finish drying.

How do you dry permanent press clothes?

Permanent press clothes are usually made with a wrinkle-resistant finish that helps to keep clothes looking sharp.

The care label on most permanent press clothing includes washing instructions as well as drying and ironing tips.

Here are a few hacks and tips to dry your permanent press clothes safely and effectively.

Use the dryer on a delicate cycle if it does not have a permanent press feature

If your dryer does not feature a permanent press cycle, you can still dry these fabrics using delicate settings.

Make sure to set the heat to the lowest possible setting before you start the drying cycle.

Air dry your permanent press fabric

If you don’t have access to a clothes dryer, you can simply air dry your permanent press clothes over a clothesline or a drying rack.

Using clothes hangers is also another great option to air dry these fabric types.

Simply, hang your permanent press items on plastic or wooden hangers to help them keep their shape.

Lay them flat

Another method is to lay your permanent press items out on a flat surface, such as a table or the floor, and then smooth them out with your hands and let them air-dry.

Use hair dryer wisely

Another quick hack to dry “permanent press” clothes is to use a hair dryer.

If you want to dry your permanent press garments in a hurry without using a clothes dryer, you can use a hair dryer to blow hot air.

In order to use it safely, hang the clothes on a hanger and set the dryer to the lowest heat setting.

The next step is to position the hair dryer a foot or so away from the clothing, turn it on, and wave it back and forth over the fabric until it is completely dry.

Difference between a delicate drying cycle and a permanent press drying cycle

The main difference between a delicate drying cycle and a permanent press drying cycle is the temperature at which the clothes are dried. A delicate drying cycle uses the lowest temperature and gentle spinning to dry clothes, whereas the permanent press drying cycle uses low to medium heat settings to dry the clothes.

Is tumble dry permanent press?

Tumble dry technically refers to drying clothes and other fabrics in normal settings, but it does not have a specific cycle called “permanent press”. Permanent press is a type of cycle or setting that can be found in some clothes dryers, it is programmed to run by using a combination of lower heat and a cool-down period at the end of the drying cycle in order to limit wrinkles and shrinkage.

So, if your tumble dry has this cycle or setting, then it would be considered a permanent press.

Can you dry permanent press clothes in a delicate cycle?

The delicate cycle is considered to be gentler than the permanent press cycle. Therefore, you should be able to use the delicate cycle to dry your permanent press clothes, though it may take a bit longer than if you had used the permanent press cycle.

So, technically you can use a delicate drying cycle but it may take a longer time to dry the clothes.

Final Thoughts

The best way to dry permanent press clothes is by using the wrinkle control cycle or a delicate cycle with a lower temperature setting in your whirlpool dryer (if it does not have a permanent press cycle).

By doing this, you can prevent your permanent press fabrics from shrinking or fading.

Before washing or drying any fabric, it’s recommended that you go through the care label once to ensure the safety of your clothes.

Even though it’s a bit boring to go through the care label, it helps save you time and money as it has all the care instructions you need to keep your fabric safe.

Lastly, if you are unsure about drying your permanent press garment, perhaps because of a missing or faded care label, simply hang the garment over a clothes hanger to air dry naturally.

Manish Singh is an expert in electrical engineering with a Diploma in the field. With over 12 years of experience, he specializes in repairing music systems, washing machines, dryers, and other laundry-related appliances. His in-depth knowledge in electrical repairs and decent knowledge about garment care makes him a trusted authority in the field of appliance repair and laundry related topics. If you have any questions or need assistance with your appliances, you can reach out to Manish through email: manish.singh (at) portablelaundry.com