At a Glance:
What is the Permanent Press Cycle?
Which Clothes Need the Permanent Press Cycle?
Do All Dryers Offer a Permanent Press Cycle?
Find Dryers That Protect Your Clothes
You don’t need to be an expert in laundry to understand how your dryer works. Most settings are intuitive — like the hot or cold temperature options, the time settings, or the selection for load sizes. However, there are a few options that might not be as clear for users. One feature that is found on almost every dryer is a permanent press option. What does this mean, and when should you use it?
Find Out What Permanent Press Can Do
Find the best laundry appliances for you at Spencer's!
Shop Laundry AppliancesThis cycle can be useful if you are drying certain types of laundry. Use this guide to answer, “what is permanent press?” and learn useful tricks for making the most of this cycle.
What is the Permanent Press Cycle?
The term permanent press can be confusing because it doesn’t clearly explain what happens to the clothes when they are washed. However, this cycle is also known as wrinkle control, which provides additional clarity to the permanent press meaning. The wrinkle control cycle takes clothes that are likely to crease throughout the cycle and dries them in a way that reduces existing wrinkles.
The permanent press cycle usually runs for about 30 minutes and is gentler on clothes than a standard or heavy-duty drying cycle. The spin speed is slower, which reduces the potential to damage clothes and prevents the clothes from weighing against each other, which would cause wrinkles.
The cycle is ideal for clothes that are durable enough to be placed in a dryer but still need a little extra protection. Once you learn how to sort your clothes, you can accommodate their permanent press needs.
Which Clothes Need the Permanent Press Cycle?
Once you understand what is permanent press, you can take steps to sort your clothes to find items that need this setting. You can’t place all of your clothes in the same cycle; otherwise, you risk damaging some items while leaving others moist.
On one end of the scale, you have extremely durable items. These include beach towels that you need to wash the sand out of and yardwork clothes that are covered in sweat, dirt, and grass stains. Not only do these items need a durable wash, but they also need to be dried on a high temperature and fast setting because the fabric is heavy and retains water.
On the opposite end of the scale, you have highly delicate items. These are pieces that you might hand wash or take to the dry cleaners. Lacy lingerie, delicate fringe dresses, and soft silks can’t handle the tumbling of the dryer — even on its softest setting.
Permanent press falls in between these two categories. It is meant for clothes that can handle the washer and dryer cycles but still need some protection. Permanent press is ineffective at drying heavy denim and durable clothes but is ideal for keeping the wrinkles out of work blouses and date night dresses.
Do All Dryers Offer a Permanent Press Cycle?
Permanent press has been a key feature of dryers for several decades, which means it comes standard in most models. However, there are a few different names for this cycle that you may encounter in your research. Some brands have started calling permanent press “wrinkle control” or the “casual cycle.” These essentially mean the same thing and refer to a dryer cycle that isn’t as harsh as it would be on your more durable clothes.
If you are unsure whether an appliance has this cycle, check the display settings or the manual. You can also read customer reviews to see if permanent press is mentioned.
Find Dryers That Protect Your Clothes
Modern dryer technology works to preserve clothes so they last longer. You can choose from a variety of setting depending on the types of clothes you need to dry. Get to know a few top dryers on the market and learn how they dry clothes faster while minimizing wear. All of these dryers have a permanent press setting.
Maytag® 7.4 Cu. Ft. Metallic Slate Front Load Electric Dryer
Maytag is one of the market’s top dryer brands, and this model highlights why so many people look for Maytag dryers. You can easily dry your heavy-duty clothes with the Extra Power button that increases the heat level, time, and tumbling speed. This brings commercial-grade drying technology into your home and is perfect for parents who need to wash sports uniforms and kids clothing that is seemingly always covered in stains.
Not only does this model have a wrinkle prevention option, but it also has a steam feature. You can tumble dry and steam your clothes for up to 150 minutes for a wrinkle-free cycle. Customer reviews mention how efficient this dryer is and how many different cycles there are to choose from.
Maytag® 7.3 Cu. Ft. Metallic Slate Electric Dryer
This is another Maytag option if you are interested in bringing this brand into your home. The steam-enhanced cycle dries your clothes while still providing a wrinkle-reducing steam experience. This brings permanent press to a whole new level and ensures your clothes are dry and wrinkle-free when you remove them. If you only have a small load, turn on the Quick Dry cycle. You can quickly dry a few items while reducing your energy bill.
It is one of the most highly-rated Maytag dryers on the market because of the steam feature and fast drying speed. If you need to replace your old appliance, upgrade to this model. It even comes with a 10-year limited parts warranty.
Samsung 7.5 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Electric Dryer
Maytag isn’t the only company that created efficient dryers. You can also invest in a Samsung front load model that can quickly dry your clothes while protecting them from damage. One of the main benefits of this model is the Steam Sanitize+ option, which helps remove 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria. If you have allergies, this is the ideal dryer for it. It can remove up to 95 percent of pollen and dust mites from your clothes. You can breathe easier just by upgrading your dryer.
You can also manage your dryer through the Samsung Smart Care app. Quickly diagnose and fix any issues that pop up. Customer reviews highlight how useful the 10 different drying cycles are for drying different loads of laundry.
GE Profile™ 7.4 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Electric Dryer
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy a high-performing dryer from GE. It is also a highly-rated dryer, with customers sharing how easy it is to use and how quickly clothes dry.
This is a Wi-Fi connected dryer that syncs with the SmartHQ app. If you have other GE products, you might already have this on your phone. You can also streamline the run process by saving specific cycle settings. Just select the right My Cycle option, and your dryer will run at the speed, temperature, and time of your choosing.
FAQs
What is the difference between permanent press vs normal dryer cycles?
The permanent press cycle is softer than your standard dryer cycle. The dryer uses medium heat and builds a cool-down period into the cycle. When you look at your dryer, you may find the words ‘permanent press’, ‘wrinkle control,’ or ‘casual cycle’ on the settings. These all mean the same thing.
What clothes go on the permanent press setting?
The permanent press setting is made for clothes that are less durable than your denim jeans and heavy cotton shirts. It is ideal for clothes that are likely to wrinkle in the dryer. Permanent press is often known as wrinkle control because it prevents clothes from leaving the dryer looking damaged and wrinkly.
Why Trust Spencer’s TV & Appliance?
Since 1973, Spencer’s TV & Appliance has grown to 10 locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The secret to our longevity is simple: personal service. Customer satisfaction has always been the focus of our business, and throughout the years, we have been able to work hard with our suppliers to bring you the best prices. After all, getting customers the best price and personal attention is how we compete with big-box stores, day in and day out.
Not only do we offer top-rated appliances, name-brand electronics, and the best mattresses on the market but we also provide water treatment solutions and perform kitchen design services. Stop by your nearest Spencer’s and see what you’re missing!
Shop Dryers at Spencer’s
At Spencer’s TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at great prices — check out our catalog to shop dryers online today. Your friends in the business are always happy to help you learn what is permanent press and find the perfect dryer for your home. Call us, or better yet, stop by at one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions. Visit us today!
Learn More: The Modern Clothes Steamer You Haven’t Heard Of