We can attribute dryers’ usefulness to a wide variety of aspects. Many people don’t purchase them because they fear their clothes will lose shape in them or they aren’t sure what size to purchase. Many of you already own a dryer, so you know how convenient it is to have a machine that heats up quickly and dries your clothes. However, it is a legitimate concern to ask, how hot does a dryer really get, and can that heat destroy germs?

It doesn’t make a difference how clean and sanitary you are, you’ll still pick up some germs on your clothes. It is inevitable that this will happen after going outside and socializing. A bit of hot water and some exposure to heat should be enough to kill most bacteria (there are some exceptions, of course). Nevertheless, it is a very common question among many: how hot does a dryer get?

Heat is important, but you also need a good balance; too much or too little will ruin your clothes, and too little will let germs run wild.

The goal of this post is to provide an answer to the question of how hot does a dryer get. By the end, you’ll know the optimal temperature to kill germs while keeping your clothes clean. Nevertheless, before we begin, let’s take a moment to consider just how hot does a single dryer can really get.

Expert Guide to How Hot Does a Dryer Really Get?

Accordingly, the answer to the question how hot does a dryer get is: The temperature in the dryer shouldn’t be excessively high, because extreme temperatures can damage clothing. Water begins steaming and evaporating once it reaches boiling point, which can cause fabric to burn. This has been known by manufacturers since the very first dryers were introduced.  

It is estimated that the ‘industry standard’ for dryer heat will be between 125°F and 135°F by 2020. There is no doubt that 135°F is far from the maximum temperature that a dryer is capable of reaching. Many modern dryers max out at 150°F, but the best dryers tested go as high as 176°F. For regular clothing, regardless of whether there are germs or not, that temperature is not necessary.

That is the most common temperature level for dryers, and those are the most common settings. It is extremely necessary to know the temperature of your dryer and whether or not it can kill germs.

Figuring Out How Does A Dryer Control Hot Temperature Levels?

There are two common methods you can use to determine the temperature level of your dryer. As a first step, it is rather simple – all you need to do is read through the user manual that comes with your product. There’s no doubt that it’s supposed to list the range of temperatures, isn’t it?

The answer varies depending on how you view it. It’s true that there are brands today who emphasize the temperature range of their dryers when they are marketed. In spite of that, it’s not uncommon to find nothing in the user manual explaining how hot does a dryer can get. Even if the dryer does state the temperature range, it is often exaggerated or inaccurate. Consequently, you end up with clothes that still have bacteria on them after drying.

As a last resort, you can always use the second method, which involves the use of a thermometer in the event that that happens. There are two ways in which you can go about this and when you remove your clothes from the dryer, you can insert a meat thermometer into the pile and note down the temperature. A thermometer that uses infrared light can give you a more accurate reading than a regular thermometer, and you don’t have to stick it anywhere.

What to Avoid When Checking Dryers With Thermometers

There are many people who simply buy a mercury thermometer and place it in freshly-dried clothes to check the temperature. It is, however, not a good idea to place mercury directly into a heat source, as everyone knows what happens when you do this.

To get the most accurate reading, a few people even leave thermometers inside working dryers. Any working appliance should never be placed inside a dryer under any circumstances. I’d suggest sticking to the other options I listed except if you want to end up short-circuiting a fuse or breaking your dryer.

How Does the Hot Temperature of a Dryer Affect Germs and Bacteria?

There is a degree of heat sensitivity in most microorganisms. Other pathogens are also sensitive to them, but heat seems to be the most common ‘killer’. Different microbes will be sensitive to heat at different levels; some will perish in relatively low heat, while others may survive scorching heat. It is likely for some bacteria to survive temperatures that are absolutely extreme.

In other words, how does a dryer get hot and kill germs? To determine how well a dryer can handle microbes, we must first know what kind it is. On a very broad level, dryers can be divided into two types:

• Vented dryers.
• Ventless (condenser) dryers.

Condenser dryers are designed to take moisture from clothing and condense it into water. Vented dryers, on the other hand, draw dry air from the laundry room inside themselves. By using a special hose, they are able to vent all the moist air from the air conditioner.

There is one thing that both of these dryers have in common, and that is the fact that they both generate heat. The air inside the drum is heated in both condenser dryers and vented dryers, which helps boost evaporation. According to theory, the hot air inside the machine should be able to kill bacteria and germs, theoretically. The question is, at what temperature should clothes be dried in order to kill microbes?

How to determine which temperature your dryer should be set at to kill germs?

It is important to realize that you cannot kill all bacteria and germs before discussing the optimal temperature for killing them. Furthermore, you should avoid doing so.

In addition to causing harm, germs and bacteria are often associated with dangerous diseases. It turns out, however, that millions of so-called good germs prevent us from getting sick. Many of these beneficial germs don’t seem to be affected by heat.

As luck would have it, most of the germs that you would consider harmful aren’t very heat-resistant. A moderate temperature between 57°F and 70°F is ideal for them. It is important to keep in mind that the optimal temperature level depends on the microbe. As a result, certain people might be able to survive at lower temperatures than others.

Nevertheless, I have been avoiding this question long enough – at what temperature does a dryer kill germs? Just below the maximum temperature most dryers can handle, it would be 149°F.

How Does a Dryer Get Hot Enough to Disinfect Clothing at 149°F?

There have been a number of times when I have been asked by people how hot does a dryer get so that their clothes will be completely disinfected. No dryer on the market gets hot enough to do that since, to disinfect something fully, you’d need an extreme source of heat. It’s pointless to try and reach the dryer source since it would most likely burn the clothes to ash.

It is not necessary to get rid of 100% of the germs on your clothes, since many are actually helpful for you. You’re still safe if you dry them, however, as 99.9% of the harmful ones will be destroyed.

Is it possible to get the optimal dryer temperature?

It is still possible to get rid of most harmful germs even if your dryer can’t reach the optimal temperature. However, you have to subject your clothes to heat for longer than usual if you want it to work at a low temperature.

There are germs and bacteria that won’t die at 135°F, but the ones that do will be gone in a few minutes. In a dryer set at 145°F, stubborn germs that handle heat well will die in roughly 30 minutes. Most germs you want to eliminate fall in the 135°F range, so you don’t have to worry about them.

You’ll also have to consider the type of clothing you’re drying when getting rid of these germs. For some materials, such as polyester, a short drying period and a low temperature are required.

Is there anything else my dryer can get rid of?

It is easy to see that a dryer is quite effective at killing most of the harmful microbes on the planet. The shirts and dresses we wear, however, are not only inhabited by microbes. We need to know how effective a hot dryer is at getting rid of other unwanted organisms that crawl on fabric.

How Does A Hot Dryer can get rid of Dust Mites.

In addition to being incredibly annoying, dust mites can also pose a health risk. On various online lists, there are tons of ways to get rid of them, but few mention dryer heat.

You will be relieved to hear that dryers can definitely kill dust mites if you are experiencing a dust mite problem. It takes about 15 minutes to complete the process and a heat setting of 130°F is all that is required. Thus, if you have a dryer that generates even more heat, the mites will be dead in no time. Even so, you can’t get rid of their decaying bodies or feces by just drying them; you’ll need to wash them first.

How Does A Hot Dryer can get rid of Bed bugs.

In my opinion, bed bugs are much more disgusting and annoying than dust mites, and they can also be just as dangerous. As a result, I felt both relieved and elated when I learned that dryers can kill them.

To kill bed bugs in the dryer, you must expose your clothes to one hundred and twenty degrees °F for thirty minutes. Although eggs are more resilient than adults, 90 minutes should be enough to kill them. You should be able to get rid of them in roughly 15 minutes, if your dryer is capable of handling higher temperatures.

How Does My Dryer Get Too Hot and Why?

The dryer is not immune to overheating just like any other appliance. In spite of the fact that dryers are supposed to be hot, most people don’t notice how hot they are. Even so, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to pay close attention if your appliance gets hotter than usual. In the absence of this, you run the risk of your dryer breaking down or even starting a fire in your house.

The following are some of the most common causes of dryer overheating:

The air flow of dryers is restricted.

It is common for dryers to come with lint filters and vents. It is very likely that if either of these becomes clogged, your dryer will not be able to provide the air flow it needs. This causes the dryer’s internal temperature to rise, which can lead to an overheating situation.

You should always clean the lint filter and check the vents for clogs to prevent air flow restrictions.

Dryer Thermostat problems.

There is a thermostat on the inside of a dryer that is responsible for regulating the temperature of the appliance. A malfunctioning thermostat can lead to overheating, and when it does, there’s a risk of overheating. In order to prevent future fires, you should install a new thermostat; they are not expensive, and they are easy to repair.

Dryer Heating Element Might Be Malfunctioning.

After a while, you might want to give your dryer’s heating element a thorough inspection. As a result of prolonged use, these elements can sometimes shift, bend, or warp. When they do, you can expect to experience a heat imbalance as a result. After determining the problem, it is important to schedule a repair or upgrade right away.

The Ultimate Guide to How Hot Does a Dryer Get: Final Thoughts.

I hope this detailed article helped you in clearing your doubts and myths about how hot does a dryer get? Dryers can reach high temperatures, and most germs are thermophobic, so they are attracted to heat. As most of them are thermophobic, it won’t take more than one drying session to get rid of them.

Ensure your dryer is set to the highest temperature for the type of clothing you’re drying.

You should also be on the alert for any malfunctions or problems. To produce a perfect basket of dry clothes every time, a dryer requires lots of maintenance and care.

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