Can you put a bolster pillowcase in the dryer?

Before putting your bolster pillowcase in the dryer, it is essential to check its label for specific care recommendations.

For a cotton bolster pillowcase, which is generally more durable, you can choose a drying program at moderate temperature. Cotton is a material that tolerates heat well, but a program that is too hot can damage it and cause premature shrinkage.

On the other hand, for more delicate fabrics like linen or percale, it is preferable to choose a low temperature program. Too intense drying could alter the texture and strength of the fibers. Percale, in particular, is a light and airy fabric, ideally air-dried, but if you’re in a hurry or have no space to hang your laundry, a gentle low temperature cycle in the dryer is a good alternative.

Many dryers have specific cycles such as “cotton” or “delicate” modes, which are perfectly suited for bolster pillowcases. These programs respect the needs of the most fragile materials while ensuring effective drying.

For those with more modern dryers, “eco” or “low temperature” cycles can also be considered for more fabric- and environmentally-friendly drying.

To prevent your bolster pillowcase from twisting or wrinkling too much, you can also place it in a laundry bag designed for the dryer. This will protect the fabric while allowing good air circulation.

The time needed to dry a bolster pillowcase in the dryer depends on several factors, including the fabric, residual moisture, and the type of program chosen.

Generally, a complete drying of a cotton bolster pillowcase takes about 30 to 40 minutes at moderate temperature. However, this time can vary depending on the capacity of your dryer, the load of laundry you put in, and the moisture content of the fabric.

For linen or percale bolster pillowcases, drying time will be longer, especially if you chose a low temperature program. It usually takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour for these fabrics to be perfectly dry.

It is also possible to reduce this time by doing an extra spin cycle before putting the pillowcase in the dryer. This removes a large part of the moisture and shortens drying time.

If you use a dryer without a moisture detection program, it is advisable to regularly check the state of your laundry to avoid over-drying, which can make the pillowcase stiffer and damage its fibers.

For a final touch of softness, you can add a dryer ball or a soft fabric cloth which will help better distribute the hot air and prevent the pillowcase from balling up.

Also, after each drying cycle, it is advisable to immediately remove the bolster pillowcase from the dryer to avoid wrinkles forming.

If you want perfectly smooth linen, you can iron your pillowcase at low temperature or shake it to rearrange it after drying.

If you do not want to iron it, you can leave it slightly damp and let it air dry for a few minutes to remove the last wrinkles.

Finally, it is best not to overload the dryer. An overfilled machine does not allow laundry to circulate freely and can slow down the drying process.

Also, this can cause premature wear of the fabric, especially for delicate materials like linen or percale.