Today's helpful household hint

[Earth-shine]

5. Synthetic items like fleece, which is made from shredded polyester and often other recycled plastics

do not fare well under repeated high-heat dryings.

Heat melts the fibers a little at a time. The result of this is that the fleece hardens, losing that supersoft feel.

Fleece and other synthetics will dry quickly on hangers or a clothesline, without deterioration, even when dried indoors. (For better results, aim a fan at the clothes.)