Leaving the dryer running overnight may seem like a convenient way to finish drying a large load of laundry. However, there are some risks associated with this practice that are important to consider.
Is it safe to leave the dryer on overnight?
Generally, it is not recommended to leave a dryer running unattended for long periods of time, especially overnight. There are a few key reasons for this:
- Fire hazard – Dryers are a major cause of home fires. Leaving a dryer running overnight increases the risks of a fire starting while you are asleep.
- Overheating – Dryers can overheat if they run too long, especially if airflow is blocked by a full load. This can damage the dryer or even lead to a fire.
- Wasted energy – Dryers use a significant amount of electricity. Leaving it running overnight can waste energy and drive up utility bills.
- Damaged clothes – Extended tumbling can damage clothing fibers and lead to extra wear and tear.
Some sources suggest never leaving a dryer running for more than 2 hours unattended. Leaving it on overnight would go well beyond this timeframe, posing safety hazards.
What are the risks of leaving a dryer on overnight?
Here is a more in-depth look at the potential risks of leaving a dryer running overnight:
Fire hazard
Dryers account for over 15,500 home fires each year in the U.S., causing an estimated $236 million in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Fires often start due to overheated motors, blocked ventilation, or combustible items placed too close to the dryer.
Leaving a dryer running overnight with no one awake to notice a developing fire is very dangerous. It gives a fire ample time to spread and make escape difficult. According to FEMA, most home fire deaths occur between midnight and 8am when families are asleep.
Overheating
As dryers run, air circulation is crucial to prevent overheating. Lint can gradually block vents over time. Running a dryer overnight provides hours of uninterrupted runtime that allows overheating to develop.
Signs your dryer may be overheating include:
- Strong burning odor
- Unusual noises or rattling
- Clothes are very hot after a cycle
- The exterior of the dryer feels hot
- Cycles are taking longer to dry clothes
Overheating can damage the dryer components and pose a fire hazard. It’s important to stop the dryer and have it serviced if you notice signs of overheating.
Increased fire risk
Here are some statistics on clothes dryer fires from the U.S. Fire Administration:
- Over 15,500 home fires are caused by clothes dryers each year.
- Failure to clean dryers causes over 3,300 house fires annually.
- Dryers accounted for 4.3% of home fires but 20% of home fire deaths between 2014-2016.
- The leading cause of dryer fires is failure to clean lint buildup.
Leaving a dryer running overnight increases the chances of a fire starting from common causes like lint buildup. It also means no one will be awake to detect the fire before it spreads.
Wasted energy
Dryers use between 3,000 to 5,000 watts of electricity when running. Leaving a dryer on overnight can use significant energy:
- A standard electric dryer uses about 3-5 kWh of energy per cycle.
- Running overnight for 8 hours could use 24-40 kWh.
- This costs $2.88 to $4.80 at an electricity rate of 12 cents per kWh.
In addition to wasted energy, leaving the dryer on overnight puts strain on the motor and components. This can lead to break downs and costly repairs over time.
Damaged clothes
When left tumbling for too long, friction can break down clothing fibers. Signs of damage from over-drying include:
- Shrinkage
- Pilling
- Fading
- Rips or tears
- Melted fabrics like spandex
Delicate items like lingerie may sustain irreversible damage if left in the dryer overnight. Bulkier items like towels may get tangled and twisted if over-dried as well.
Tips for drying large loads safely
For large laundry loads, there are safer ways to get items fully dried than running the dryer overnight:
- Dry similar fabrics together – Lighter items like sheets dried with heavy items like jeans may not get fully dried in one cycle.
- Shake items out mid-cycle – This can loosen dried clumps of laundry and expose any still-damp items to air flow.
- Clean the lint filter – Prevent blockages that reduce air circulation and lead to overheating.
- Use dryer balls – Wool or rubber balls can help separate laundry and speed drying.
- Run a second shorter cycle – For items still damp after a full cycle, re-run for 20-30 minutes.
If needed, you can stay close by the dryer and restart a new cycle when the previous one finishes. This is much safer than leaving it unattended overnight.
Is it more energy efficient to run the dryer overnight?
No, running the dryer overnight is not more energy efficient. Here’s why:
- Dryers use the same amount of energy per hour whether run during the day or overnight.
- Running overnight for 8+ hours uses much more total energy.
- Over-drying wastes energy once clothes are already dry.
- ENERGY STAR recommends running full loads consecutively to maximize efficiency.
The most energy efficient way to dry laundry is to run full loads back-to-back during waking hours. Dry similar items together and use moisture sensors to prevent over-drying. Running overnight may be convenient but wastes significant energy.
Is it safe to run the dryer when I’m not home?
It’s generally not recommended to run the dryer when you are out of the house or asleep. The risks include:
- No one will be present to notice a fire starting in the dryer.
- Unattended dryers are a leading cause of home fires.
- You cannot monitor and stop the dryer if you hear odd noises or smells.
- Leaks or broken hoses may go undetected.
Here are some tips if you need to leave the house with laundry in the dryer:
- Only leave the dryer running if you will be gone for less than 30 minutes.
- Set a smart speaker or phone reminder to alert you when the cycle ends.
- Consider installing a dryer monitor that shuts off power if unsafe conditions are detected.
- Make sure you clean the lint filter before running the dryer.
- Keep flammable products like chemicals and oils away from the dryer area.
While unattended operation poses risks, the greatest dangers occur when leaving the dryer running overnight while sleeping. If you need to leave wet laundry for an extended period, it’s safest to air dry items until you return home.
What are other options for drying laundry overnight?
If you need to wash and dry a large load of laundry to be ready in the morning, safer alternatives to leaving the dryer on all night include:
- Line dry – Hanging laundry indoors or outdoors to air dry overnight.
- Drying rack – Place a rack in a room with good air circulation and airflow.
- Run dryer before bed – Start a cycle 1-2 hours before going to sleep.
- Dry in cycles – Run multiple shorter dryer cycles instead of one long one.
- Wake early to finish – Set an alarm and finish drying early in the morning.
While less convenient, these methods ensure your dryer won’t run unattended for long periods overnight. They prevent wasted energy and reduce fire risks.
Conclusion
Leaving a dryer running overnight is generally not recommended or considered safe. The risks include potential fires, overheating, damage to laundry, and wasted energy. For large loads, it’s safer to dry items in multiple shorter cycles, line dry overnight, or finish drying in the morning. While convenient, running a dryer unattended for 8+ hours comes with significant safety hazards and is best avoided.