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To minimise the risk of fire in a tumble dryer, the following should be observed:
Items that have been soiled with substances such as cooking oil, acetone, alcohol, petrol,
kerosene, dry cleaning solvents, spot removers, turpentine, waxes or wax removers, should be
washed in hot water with an extra amount of detergent before being dried in the 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 enough 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.
The ‘cool down’ cycle of tumble dryers should be used to reduce the temperature of the items to
ensure they will not be damaged. They should not be removed from the tumble dryer or piled or
stacked while hot.
Important!
Never stop the tumble dryer before the end of the drying cycle unless all items are quickly
removed and spread out so that the heat can dissipate.
The dryer should not be used for items cleaned using industrial chemicals.
Items containing foam rubber (also known as latex foam) or similarly textured rubber like
materials should not be dried in a tumble dryer.
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.
Plastic articles such as shower caps and waterproof textiles should not be placed in a tumble
dryer.
Rubber-backed articles, fibreglass, clothes fitted with foam rubber pads, pillows, galoshes and
rubber-coated tennis shoes should not be placed in a tumble dryer.
If there are children in your house...
Electrical appliances may be dangerous for children. Keep children away from the machine when
it is operating. Do not let them tamper with the machine.
Close the loading door when you leave the area where the machine is located.
Young children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
Safety and warnings