If you cram a complete bedding set into a small dryer, there isn’t enough space for the fabric to separate and tumble freely.
Instead, the sheets can stick together and form one large bundle.
Give Your Sheets Room
Try drying one bedding set at a time if your dryer is small.
For a larger dryer, you may be able to dry more than one sheet set, but don’t fill the drum to the point where the sheets can’t move.
A good rule is to leave enough empty space for the bedding to lift and fall during the cycle.
The dryer needs to tumble the fabric—not store it.
Don’t Mix Sheets With Heavy Towels
This is another laundry habit that can make a big difference.
Towels are heavy, thick, and absorb a lot of water.
Sheets are much lighter.
When they’re dried together, the towels can weigh down the sheets and prevent them from moving freely.
The result?
More twisting, wrapping, and tangling.
Instead, dry sheets with other lightweight items whenever possible.
Your sheets will have more room to move, and they’ll usually dry more evenly.
Shake Out the Sheets Before Putting Them in the Dryer
This takes about ten seconds and can make a surprising difference.
When you remove sheets from the washer, don’t simply grab the entire load and throw it directly into the dryer.
Instead, shake each sheet out first.
Separate the corners.
Untangle the fitted sheet.
Open up any areas where the fabric has folded into itself.
Then place the sheets loosely into the dryer.
Starting with separated sheets gives them a much better chance of staying separated during the drying cycle.
Untangle the Fitted Sheet First
If there’s one piece of bedding that causes the most trouble, it’s usually the fitted sheet.
Those elastic corners are basically little fabric traps.
Before putting it into the dryer, grab each corner and pull the sheet open.
If it’s wrapped around another sheet, separate it.
Then place it in the dryer as an individual piece.
Don’t Ball Up the Bedding Before Drying
It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to accidentally do this when transferring laundry.
If the sheets come out of the washer in a tangled bundle, don’t throw that bundle directly into the dryer.
Take a moment to loosen it.
That little bit of effort at the beginning can save you from a much bigger tangled mess later.
Try Drying Fitted Sheets Separately
If your fitted sheet is particularly troublesome, try drying it separately from the flat sheet.
I know.
It means running another short drying cycle.
But if you’re constantly pulling a giant sheet ball out of the dryer, it may be worth it.
Drying the fitted sheet separately gives it room to tumble without wrapping around the rest of the bedding.
You can also dry the pillowcases separately or add them with other lightweight laundry.
Use Dryer Balls
Wool dryer balls can help keep laundry moving as it tumbles.
They bounce around inside the dryer and can help separate pieces of fabric.
They won’t magically prevent every sheet from tangling, but they can be useful when combined with good loading habits.
How Many Dryer Balls Should You Use?
For a normal household load, a few dryer balls are generally enough.
The exact number isn’t as important as making sure the dryer isn’t overloaded.
And remember: dryer balls aren’t a substitute for giving your sheets enough room to move.
Pause the Dryer and Shake the Sheets Out
Here’s a trick I use when sheets are particularly prone to tangling.
About halfway through the drying cycle, pause the dryer and open the door.
Pull the sheets out.
Shake them loose.
Separate any pieces that have wrapped around each other.
Then put them back in and continue drying.
It only takes a minute, but it can prevent a small tangle from becoming a giant knot.
Don’t Use an Excessive Drying Time
It may seem like leaving sheets in the dryer longer would help them dry more completely.
But prolonged tumbling isn’t necessarily better.
Once the sheets are dry, additional heat and tumbling can contribute to fabric wear and wrinkles.
Use the appropriate heat setting for the fabric and check the sheets toward the end of the cycle.
If they’re already dry, take them out.
Use the Right Dryer Setting
Many modern dryers have bedding, bulky items, or sheets settings.
If yours does, give it a try.
These cycles may adjust the tumbling pattern, temperature, or drying time to better accommodate larger pieces of fabric.
If your dryer doesn’t have a bedding setting, a regular cycle can work perfectly well.
Just pay attention to the recommended care instructions on your sheets.
What About Dryer Sheets?
Dryer sheets can reduce static and add fragrance, but they aren’t a reliable solution for preventing sheets from balling up.
The main causes of tangling are load size, fabric movement, and the sheets wrapping around themselves.
So if your sheets are constantly coming out of the dryer in a giant bundle, focus on separating the laundry and improving airflow rather than simply adding more dryer products.
Should You Button or Zip Duvet Covers?
Yes!
If you’re drying a duvet cover, close the buttons or zipper before washing and drying.
An open duvet cover can act like a giant fabric pocket.
Other sheets and pillowcases can find their way inside, creating an enormous tangled bundle.
Closing the cover helps reduce the chance of other laundry getting trapped inside.
Try the “One Sheet at a Time” Method
If your dryer is small, this is one of the simplest solutions.
Dry the fitted sheet first.
Then dry the flat sheet.
Then add the pillowcases.
It takes longer, but the results can be worth it.
Each piece has plenty of room to tumble and dry.
This is especially useful for large king-size or California king sheets, which can take up a surprising amount of space.
How to Dry Sheets Without Wrinkles
Preventing tangles has another benefit:
fewer wrinkles.
When sheets twist into a ball, they dry in that twisted shape.
When you pull them apart later, you may end up with deep creases throughout the fabric.
To reduce wrinkles:
- Don’t overload the dryer.
- Shake sheets before drying.
- Remove them promptly when the cycle ends.
- Use a lower or medium heat setting when appropriate.
- Shake them again before folding.
- Fold or put them on the bed while they’re still warm.
That last step is one of my favorites.
Fresh, warm sheets straight from the dryer?
Yes, please!
What If My Sheets Are Still Damp Inside the Ball?
Don’t immediately increase the heat.
First, stop the dryer and pull the sheets apart.
Spread them out.
Then restart the dryer with the pieces separated.
The problem isn’t necessarily that the dryer needs more heat.
The fabric simply needs better airflow.
Check the Dryer Too
If your sheets remain damp even when they’re not tangled, check whether the dryer is working properly.
A clogged lint filter, restricted vent, poor airflow, or an overloaded drum can all contribute to slow drying.
Clean the lint filter after every load and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for dryer maintenance.
A Simple Sheet-Drying Routine
If you want a routine that’s easy to remember, try this:
Before Washing
- Close duvet covers.
- Separate heavily soiled or heavy laundry.
- Avoid mixing sheets with bulky towels.
After Washing
- Shake each sheet loose.
- Untangle the fitted sheet.
- Separate sheets and pillowcases.
Before Drying
- Don’t overload the dryer.
- Place sheets loosely inside.
- Add dryer balls if you like.
During Drying
- Check the load partway through if your sheets tend to tangle.
- Shake them loose if necessary.
After Drying
- Remove sheets promptly.
- Shake them out.
- Fold them or put them on the bed while they’re still warm.
It really can be that simple.