What can happen if clothes sit in the dryer for more than half a day?

When clothes sit in the dryer for an extended period, particularly for more than half a day, one of the primary concerns is that wrinkles will become stubborn. As the clothes remain in a warm, confined space, the fabric continues to settle into the creases and folds they were left in, leading to permanent wrinkles that are harder to remove with subsequent tumbling or ironing.

Though it is true that fabric might not develop significant odors or serious issues like mildew in a dryer (which is generally a controlled environment), the pressing concern remains the set-in wrinkles that can detract from the appearance of the clothing. Regularly removing clothes from the dryer promptly after the cycle ends helps maintain their look and feel, preventing the need for extensive steaming or ironing later on.