Abstract: In a machine which uses superheated steam for drying wet fabrics vertical curtains of hot air are blown across the entrance and exit openings to prevent escape of steam and to help dry the fabric. A portion of the superheated steam is piped from the drying chamber to a preheat chamber, which is located in advance of the drying chamber, thereby to preheat the fabric before it enters the drying chamber. The moisture driven from the fabrics is collected as wet steam from the top of the drying chamber and fed to a condenser the cooling water of which is thereby heated and saved for heating purposes.