Summertime means hotter days, more outdoor activities, and tons of dirty clothes. When it comes to cleaning heavy stains and keeping colors from fading, having a great dryer is just as important as having a powerful washer. Here’s what to look out for when picking out a new dryer.

1. Energy is everything. Being green isn’t just good for the environment; it’s also good for your pocket. The newest high-end models by Whirlpool offer up to 30% energy savings in comparison to common dryers. That sort of energy reduction is sure to lower any power bill. Keep an eye out for the “Energy Star” logo. This symbol lets you know that the dryer you’re buying isn’t a power hog.

2. Make laundry easier with settings and presets. The best dryers available have a lot more settings than low, high, and delicates. Garments are kept intact by drying them at the proper temperature. To avoid shrunken jeans and loose threads pick up a dryer with at least 5 temperature settings. Newer dryers usually offer high, medium high, medium, low, and ultra low temperatures. Presets can easily be made with the press of a few buttons.

3. Sanitize your clothing with steam. Most common dryers lack steaming abilities, leading many people to assume steamers are unnecessary. This is a popular misconception. Steam isn’t just useful for straightening the wrinkles out of clothes; it can also sanitize garments and reduce odors. Premium dryers are equipped with multiple steam cycle options, optimized for handling both tasks. Be sure to check how many garments can be steamed at once in your potential dryer. The more clothes it can handle at once the merrier.