Have you ever found your singlet tighter, faded, or stretched in odd places after washing and drying it in the dryer? Not only you, but most wrestlers face this and don’t know the exact reason behind it. All you do is toss it in the wash without thinking, “Can you put wrestling singlets in the dryer?” The result? You perfectly ruin your gear.
Many wrestlers don’t know heat is one of the worst things for singlets. Wrestling singlets are made from delicate synthetic fabrics. Heat can cause shrinkage, break down elasticity, weaken the fabric, and ruin the fit. So, does this mean you can never use a dryer for your singlet? Or is there a safe way to do it?
In this article, we’ll break down how heat affects singlet materials, the risks of machine drying, and the best ways to properly dry and maintain your wrestling gear. So let’s go!
Understanding Wrestling Singlet Fabrics
You should know that singlets need special attention and care when washing them. Wondering why? To understand this “why” you need to know a bit about the fabric of singlets. Most wrestling singlets are made using a blend of synthetic fibers including:
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Spandex
Out of all the options, spandex is considered the best one. This fabric gives a perfect fit to the wrestler’s body. Thus it also retains its shape. But don’t forget, it’s highly sensitive to heat. If you allow your singlet to face too much heat, it can cause your gear to lose elasticity. Resultantly, the singlet will start sagging and a permanent stretch.
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Polyester
Polyester is widely used for wrestling singlets because it gives a good stretch and also has moisture resistance properties. The greatest benefit? It helps the sweat wick away during intense matches and you stay dry. No doubt, this fabric is durable but it is heat sensitive and quickly shrinks if exposed to high temperatures.
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Lycra Blends
Other than spandex and polyester, some modern singlets prefer a combo of lycra and polyester. This is to enhance flexibility. Undoubtedly, lycra is comfortable but you can’t enjoy its comfort if you accidentally place it in the dryer. Doing this will break down quickly under heat.
Why Do These Materials Require Special Care?
Keep it in mind that singlet fabrics i.e. spandex and polyester aren’t like wool or cotton in terms of handling heat exposure. Wrestling singlets’ fabrics can react badly to heat. Thus if you accidently expose it to heat, it can cause irreversible damage.
Moreover, heat exposure can also make them lose their structural integrity. The reason behind this is that these fabrics don’t breathe. Any damage to the singlet affects the elasticity so heat can strongly impact how they perform. This is why you should always dry them properly to avoid any wear and tear.
Can You Put a Wrestling Singlet in the Dryer?
The simplest yet the most accurate answer to this question is “No, you shouldn’t.” To give a detailed answer let’s discuss more about why dryers are so damaging to wrestling singlets.
What Happens When You Put a Singlet in the Dryer?
The normal range of temperatures at which household dryers work is 135°F and 160°F (57°C to 71°C). And this level of heat can cause great damage to the singlet materials.
This damage can be in the form of:
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Elasticity Loss
If you place your singlet made of spandex in the dryer, it will begin to break down at around 104°F (40°C). The multiple drying cycles will cause the fabric fibers to lose their stretchability. This can result in a sagging or loose fit of the gear.
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Shrinkage and Warping
Fabrics like polyester when in contact with extreme heat can quickly shrink. This is the reason your wrestling singlet becomes too tight in some areas while misshapen in other areas.
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Fading and Print Damage
High heat doesn’t just cause damage to the fabric, but in the case of sublimated designs, it also causes the colors to fade or distort. As a result, your singlet looks worn out faster.
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Fabric Thinning
Heat exposure gradually weakens the structure of the fabric. Over time, this makes the singlet more prone to tearing or becoming see-through, especially in high-stretch areas like the thighs and back.
Does Using a Low-Heat Dryer Setting Help?
If high heat can cause severe damage to the singlet fabric, does using a low-heat dryer setting help? Are you also thinking the same? Can air fluff or low-heat really help to avoid any major damage? Well, the answer is not “yes” You might consider it a safe alternative but it’s still risky.
It’s not always the high temperature, but sometimes the constant tumbling inside the dryer drum can result in friction damage. All this can lead to piling and gradual weakening of the fabric.
If you think that drying time is the main issue, you can always opt for some better alternatives than machine drying.
What to Do If You’ve Already Put Your Singlet in the Dryer
If you’ve already put your wrestling singlet in the dryer before reading this guide, relax, we have a few ways to minimize the singlet damage. Follow these amazing steps and you’ll succeed in restoring the shape of your gear.
- Soak the singlet in lukewarm water and add fabric conditioner to it. This will relax stretched-out fibers and improve elasticity.
- Gently reshape the singlet while damp. Pull it lightly into its original shape to correct any warping.
- Let it air dry properly.
What If the Singlet Has Shrunk Significantly?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to fully reverse the process. All you can do is try stretching it out while damp to recover some flexibility.
Conclusion
No doubt, throwing the singlet in the dryer seems a convenient task, but don’t forget the damage it gives to the singlet isn’t worth it at all. High heat doesn’t just weaken elasticity, but it can also result in shrinkage, fade designs, and shorten the lifespan of your gear.
In order to keep your wrestling singlet stay in real shape and condition for a long time, opt for air-drying methods. This will protect the integrity of the fabric.
You just have to take a few extra steps in caring for your wrestling singlet and the singlet will stay in its original condition for a long time.
FAQs
Will putting my singlet in the dryer one time ruin it completely?
Though putting your singlet in the dryer one time cannot completely ruin it, however, it can break down the elasticity, and cause minor shrinkage or stretching.
How long does it take for a wrestling singlet to air dry?
In order to air dry your wrestling singlet, you need to let it in a well-ventilated area for 4 to 6 hours. However, if you place it near a fan or area with a really good airflow, your singlet won’t get more than 2 to 3 hours to dry.
Can I use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process?
No, a hair dryer is not recommended to dry your wrestling singlets even on low heat. That’s because the heat can weaken the singlet fibers. Once the fibers get weak your wrestling gear will reduce elasticity.