What perm press means
“Perm press” is short for permanent press. The term started with fabrics that are made or treated to resist wrinkles, such as many polyester items and blends. A permanent press cycle on a dryer is meant to care for those fabrics so they come out with fewer wrinkles. Washers often have a similar cycle (see our washing machine cycles guide), but this article focuses on the dryer.
What the dryer does on perm press
Exact details differ by brand and model, but a permanent press dryer cycle generally does two things:
- Uses medium heat instead of the highest heat. Exact temperatures vary by make and model, so check your manual.
- Adds a cool-down period at the end, where the drum keeps tumbling with cooler air. This helps keep warm fabric from settling into creases if it sits in the drum.
Because the heat is lower than on a regular cycle, drying can take a little longer on some items, and heavy or thick items may come out damp.
Which clothes suit perm press
- Synthetics such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic
- Cotton-polyester blends
- Casual shirts, slacks, and dresses labeled wrinkle-resistant, no-iron, or easy care
- Items whose care label says tumble dry medium
Always check the care label first. It is the best guide to the right heat for a given garment.
What not to dry on perm press
- Heavy cottons, such as towels, jeans, and thick sweatshirts. They often need higher heat and longer drying, and may stay damp on this cycle.
- True delicates, such as lingerie, lace, and fine knits. The permanent press cycle is not a substitute for a delicate cycle. See what the delicates setting does.
- Items labeled “do not tumble dry” or “dry flat.”
Other names: Easy Care, Wrinkle Control, Casual
Manufacturers do not always use the term permanent press. Depending on the brand, a similar cycle may be called Easy Care, Wrinkle Control, Casuals, or Wrinkle Release. They are not identical across brands, so check your manual to see the heat level and cool-down your dryer uses.
Easy Care vs Delicates
Easy Care (or permanent press) is a medium-heat cycle intended for wrinkle-prone everyday clothing. Delicates is a low-heat, gentle cycle for fragile items and those with embellishments. If a garment is labeled delicate or says tumble dry low, use Delicates (or a low heat setting) instead of Easy Care.
What “quick fluff” means
Quick fluff, or air fluff, usually means a cycle that tumbles with little or no heat. It is for freshening or removing dust and lint from dry items, such as pillows or blankets, and it will not dry wet clothes properly. If you want to dry damp items, choose a heated cycle.
Is permanent press better than a regular cycle?
It depends on the clothes. For synthetics and wrinkle-prone items, permanent press may leave fewer wrinkles and put less heat stress on the fabric. For thick cotton items, a regular cycle usually dries them more thoroughly. For a direct comparison, see permanent press vs regular dryer setting.
Tips for best results
- Do not overload the drum, since clothes need room to tumble.
- Remove clothes promptly when the cycle ends and fold or hang them.
- Clean the lint screen before every load. A clogged lint screen or vent reduces airflow, lengthens drying, and is a fire risk.
- If items are still damp when the cycle ends, run a short additional cycle rather than stacking more time on a blocked vent. If dryers repeatedly leave clothes damp across all cycles, have the vent and dryer checked, and call a technician if you suspect a heating problem.
FAQ
Does permanent press use high heat? No. It generally uses medium heat with a cool-down.
Will it shrink clothes? Lower heat is gentler than a regular cycle, but no setting can guarantee that clothes won’t shrink. Follow the care label.
Can I use it for everything? Not for everything. Use another setting for heavy cottons and delicate items.