An embroidered logo can easily be damaged in a single mismanaged drying cycle. Moisture removal places the design under tension and added heat can distort or dull thread faster than the wash itself—leaving you needing to replace costly embroidered uniforms much sooner than you had intended.
With this in mind, here I look at some top tips for drying embroidered clothing while guarding color, texture and quality.
Understanding Embroidery Materials
Embroidered garments generally blend several layers including the thread, base fabric, and stabilizer. Let’s start with the threads. Cotton thread swells when wet and then shrinks as it dries, so rough handling during that window can cause permanent damage. Rayon delivers luxurious shine yet loses strength while damp and flattens when pressed at too high temperatures. Polyester stays strong but can take a permanent heat-set curve. Metallic composites wrap fragile foils around a nylon core that can kink at moderate dryer temperatures.
Now let’s examine the fabric below the stitching. This usually takes one of the following common forms: stable denim, stretchy jersey, lofty fleece, or quick-dry performance knits. Each reacts differently when saturated. For example, denim becomes heavy and prone to crease lines, while fleece retains water between fibers, slowing drying. Stabilizers soften with moisture and can ripple if dried aggressively.
Natural and reactive dyes complicate matters further. For example, dark indigo, red, and true black threads are more prone to crocking while damp, so prolonged contact with pale fabrics during drying increases the risk of tint shadows that are hard to remove. Controlling contact time is therefore critical to maintaining color integrity.
Air Drying Techniques
Air drying removes the twin dangers of tumbling and high heat. After washing, lift the damp garment with both hands and lay it flat, right side down, on a clean towel. Roll the towel from hem to collar, pressing gently. This blots moisture without twisting stitches. Unroll and transfer to a mesh rack.
Circulating air is critical. Prop the rack so airflow reaches the underside, and avoid direct sun, which can bleach rayon and cotton. Place a fan nearby if possible as moving air shortens dry time and limits mildew. For plush items such as towels or fleece blankets, flip them every thirty minutes to prevent a damp side from matting. You can also reshape sweatshirts by placing rolled towels inside sleeves.
Most garments reach a safe, cool-damp state within an hour. If you need an even crisper finish, iron from the reverse side while still slightly damp. Steam relaxes tension lines and sets the piece flat without exposing stitches to excessive temperatures.
Avoiding Heat Damage
If you must use a dryer, then select the gentlest setting possible and slip the embroidered piece into a mesh laundry bag, add two dry towels for ballast, and run a short timed cycle. The towels absorb moisture, soften drum impacts, and help the garment tumble freely so creases don’t form.
Stop while still damp—usually around ten minutes—then lay flat to finish. This method cuts total drying time by half without exposing thread to prolonged heat. Residual warmth continues to evaporate water so drying times will be further shortened.
Ironing demands a similar amount of caution. Turn the garment inside out or place the design face-down on a towel, cover with a press cloth, and keep the iron under 150 °C. Lift to move rather than sliding. A burst of steam just above the cloth often erases minor ripples without contact, and misting distilled water onto stubborn puckers helps them relax under steam.
Post-Drying Care
Finishing touches can protect embroidery between wears, such as brushing the design lightly to raise the nap and restore sheen. For polos and dress shirts, apply a light mist of starch from the wrong side and press through a cloth.
Store bulky items folded so the embroidery rests flat, slipping tissue between layers if stacking to absorb residual moisture and oil. Hang lighter garments on wide, padded hangers that support shoulder seams and prevent gravity from stretching stitches. Keep closets cool, dry, and away from the sun to discourage fading and mildew.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest misstep is wringing. Twisting snaps dense fill areas and drags outlines off register. A close second is leaving damp items forgotten in the washer, where dark dyes bleed onto pale thread within minutes, and moisture trapped against stabilizer breeds odor-causing bacteria. High-heat dryer cycles rank third, scorching metallics, shrinking cotton, and dulling rayon. Avoid dryer sheets as their waxy coat clings to thread and collects lint. Instead, use wool dryer balls on the no-heat setting or add a dash of vinegar to the rinse cycle for softness.
Another frequent error is pressing designs from the front with a bare iron. The iron flattens loft, blurs satin reflections, and can even pull small stitches if it snags. Always press through a cloth from the back, using steam rather than pressure.
By controlling tension, airflow, and temperature, you can carry embroidered apparel from washer to closet without sacrificing color or dimension. Whether you’re drying custom embroidered Nike polos or taking optimal care of embroidered lab coats, a few good fabric care habits preserve the craftsmanship captured in every stitch.
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.