After over two years of working closely with fabrics and fabric mills, one truth stands out: nothing ages clothes faster than a tumble dryer. If you think of your favorite pieces as an investment, it’s worth considering how to keep them looking and feeling like the day you brought them home. The simplest (and best) step? Skip the dryer for your go-to tees, leggings, joggers, and shorts.
Here’s why:
1) Faster Wear & Tear – Heat and friction break down fibers, especially synthetics, causing pilling, shedding, and microplastic release.
2) Locked-In Odors – Heat actually bakes musty smells into fabrics, making them harder to remove (now you know why that happens).
3) Color Fade – Natural fibers like cotton, hemp, and bamboo, lose vibrancy more quickly in high heat. NOTE: Bonta fabrics are colorfast-meaning they resist fading.
4) Energy Drain – Dryers are among the biggest energy users in the home.
5) Damage to Details – Elastic, trims, coatings, and logos can warp, peel, or lose shape.
Air drying extends the life of your clothes, reduces waste, and limits exposure to toxins from microplastics and harsh dyes. It’s better for your wardrobe, your wallet, and the planet. In short — how you treat what you wear matters.