Sheets can easily twist into a large ball during drying, especially when the dryer is overloaded. Give your bedding enough space to move freely, leaving room for the fabric to lift and fall during the cycle. If you have a small dryer, try drying one bedding set at a time. Avoid mixing sheets with heavy towels because towels absorb more water and can weigh down the lighter fabric, causing more twisting and tangling.

Before putting the sheets into the dryer, shake each piece out and separate the corners. Pay special attention to the fitted sheet, since its elastic corners can trap and wrap around other pieces. Shake each sheet out first. Loosen any tangled areas and place the sheets loosely into the dryer instead of transferring them as one large bundle. If the fitted sheet constantly causes problems, consider drying it separately from the flat sheet.

Dryer balls can also help keep the fabric moving and separate the pieces as they tumble, although they are not a guaranteed solution. The most important thing is still avoiding an overloaded drum. For sheets that frequently become tangled, pause the dryer halfway through the cycle, pull everything out, shake the pieces loose, and separate anything that has wrapped together before continuing.

Choose the appropriate dryer setting and avoid excessive drying time. Once the sheets are dry, remove them promptly rather than allowing them to continue tumbling unnecessarily. High heat is not always better, so follow the care label and use the lowest suitable temperature. If you are drying a duvet cover, close its buttons or zipper first because an open cover can act like a large pocket and trap other sheets and pillowcases inside.

For fewer wrinkles and faster drying, keep the sheets separated, clean the lint filter regularly, and make sure the dryer has good airflow. If sheets are dry on the outside but damp inside, they have probably formed a tight bundle, so separate them before adding more heat. The fabric simply needs better airflow. A few simple habits such as shaking the sheets, separating the fitted sheet, avoiding heavy towels, and leaving enough room to tumble can make laundry day much easier.