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To minimize the risk of fire in a tumble dryer, the following should be observed:
• Items that have been spotted or soaked with vegetable or cooking oil constitute a fire
hazard and should not be placed in a tumble dryer.
Oil-affected items can ignite spontaneously, especially when exposed to heat
sources Such as in a tumble dryer. The items become warm, causing an oxidation
reaction in the oil. Oxidation creates heat. If the heat cannot escape, the items can
become hot enought to catch fire. Piling, stacking or storing oil-affected items can
prevent heat from escaping and so create a fire hazard.
If it is unavoidable that fabrics that contain vegetable or cooking oil or have been
contaminated by hair care products be placed in a tumble dryer they should first be
washed in hot water with extra detergent-this will reduce, but not eliminate, the
hazard. Washed in hot water with extra detergent-this will reduce, but not
eliminate, the hazard. The ‘cool down’ cycle of tumble dryers should be used to
reduce the temperature of the items. They should not be removed from the tumble
dryer or piled or stacked while hot.
• Items that have been previously cleaned in, washed in, soaked in or spotted with
petro/gasoline, dry-cleaning solvents or other flammable or explosive substances
should not be placed in a tumble dryer.
Highly flammable substances commonly used in domestic environments include
acetone, denatured alcohol, petrol/gasoline, kerosene, spot removers (some
brands), turpentine, waxes and was removers.
• Items containing foam rubber (also known as latex foam) or similarly testured
rubber. like materials should not be dried in a tumble dryer on a heat setting.
Foam rubber materials can, when heated, produce fire by spontaneous combustion.
• Fabric softeners or similar products should not be used in a tumble dryer to eliminate
the effects of static electricity unless this practice is specifically recommended by the
manufacturer of the fabric softener or product.
• Undergarments that contain metal reinforcements should not be placed in a tumble
dryer.
Damage to the tumble dryer can result if metal reinforcements come loose during
drying. When available a drying rack could be used for such items.
• Plastic articles such as shower caps or babies waterproof napkin covers should not
be placed in a tumble dryer.
• Rubber-backed articles, clothes fitted with foam rubber pads, pillows, galoshes and
rubber-coated tennis shoes should not be placed in a tumble dryer.