When it comes to drying out wet currency notes the answer to this question is usually a no.
Currency notes whether paper or polymer are highly sensitive to heat and moisture.
So if you were to put them in the dryer the results could be disastrous.
That being said there are some situations where it may be possible to dry currency notes in the dryer.
For instance if you accidentally spill something on a paper currency note and you need to dry it quickly you might be able to put it in the dryer on a low setting for a brief period of time.
The same goes for polymer notes although you’d need to be extra careful not to overheat them.
In general though it’s not recommended that you dry currency notes in the dryer.
This is because the high temperatures and intense heat of the dryer can cause damage to the notes.
Currency notes are made from a special paper that is both durable and flexible but it’s still not designed to withstand a dryer’s heat.
Over time the paper will start to break down and the design of the note can become faded or altered.
Why Should You Avoid Drying Currency Notes In The Dryer?
As mentioned currency notes are highly sensitive to heat and moisture so drying them in the dryer could cause them to become brittle faded and even disintegrate.
In addition the adhesive used to glue currency notes together may become sticky or brittle when exposed to too much heat.
Also when you put currency notes in the dryer the material inside the notes can become discolored.
This can be especially problematic for polymer notes which are made from a plastic-like material.
A discolored note can be difficult to use and you may need to replace it.
Finally there’s the risk of damaging other items in the dryer.
For example paper currency notes are quite delicate and can easily be torn or damaged when tumbled around in the dryer.
What Are the Risks of Drying Currency Notes in the Dryer?
Aside from the potential damage to the notes there are other risks to consider when drying currency notes in the dryer.
Since currency notes are made of paper they can be easily flammable.
If the notes are exposed to too much heat they could catch fire creating a dangerous situation.
It’s also worth mentioning that some dryers contain a lint trap which can easily collect small pieces of paper like currency notes and cause them to become stuck in the lint trap.
This could damage the notes further.
How Can You Dry Currency Notes Safely?
If your currency notes have become wet or damp the best way to dry them is to simply leave them in a warm dry place.
This could be on top of a radiator near an open window or even just in a dry room or closet.
You can also use a fan to help circulate the air and speed up the drying process.
Just make sure the fan isn’t blowing directly onto the notes as this could cause damage.
What Are The Alternatives To Drying Currency Notes In The Dryer?
If you find yourself in need of drying out a wet currency note the best option is to simply let it air dry.
You can lay the note on a flat surface such as a table or countertop and leave it overnight.
If you need to speed up the process you can use a fan to help circulate the air.
Just be sure to avoid situations where the fan is blowing directly onto the currency note.
In cases where you need to dry out a polymer note you may be able to use a hairdryer on a low setting.
However it’s important to be extra careful with this method as the heat from the hairdryer could easily damage the note.
Conclusion
It’s generally not a good idea to dry currency notes in the dryer.
While it may be possible in some cases the risks associated with this method are simply too high.
It’s best to air dry the currency note or use a hairdryer on a low setting if possible.
In any case it’s important to be extremely careful and mindful when drying out currency notes.