Dumping everything in your laundry hamper into the washing machine is very tempting. Just to get it over and done with. Before you do, consider the damage you can do to your clothes and the washing machine if you throw in the wrong items. Even some items labeled “machine washable” require extra care and thought before washing.
Things To Keep Out Of the Washing Machine
Read and follow the washing instructions on every item before putting it in the washing machine to avoid ruining clothing, accessories–like purses–or your washing machine. Keep the following things out of your machine.
Shoes
Some shoes claim to be machine washable. Put them in a mesh bag with something like towels to prevent damage to the washing machine drum. Never machine wash leather, suede, vinyl, or rubber shoes. Or any shoes with attachments like beads, tassels, or glued-on decoration. They will come off in the washer.
Washing machines can also ruin silk, velvet, and shoes with cork soles. The adhesive used on specialized running shoes may not stick after washing or the shoes could shrink.
Leather and Suede
Leather or suede items–like purses–will never be the same after machine washing. They can be deformed, zippers may not work, and decorations could be ripped off. Like silk and linen, leather and suede need to be dry-cleaned.
Anything Covered With Pet Hair
Washing machines will remove pet hair from your clothing–then stick it to the drum and deposit it on the next load of laundry or clog the washer drain. Use a lint roller to remove hair before washing.
Anything With Rubber
Washing machine heat, water, and agitation can cause rubber items–like mats and boots–to fall apart or even melt. The machine melts glue holding composite rubber/fabric items together. Pieces of rubber clog filters and damage pumps and the item is usually ruined.
Metal
Metal items and washing machines are a bad combination. No metal objects should go into a washing machine. Here are some of the worst offenders.
- Bras. Underwires can be damaged or pulled out. The wires and hooks can damage other clothing and the drum.
- Zippers. Snag other clothing. Scratch the drum. Scratch, scar, or break door glass. The zipper may get damaged and quit working.
- Coins. Beat against the drum and door more forcefully than zippers and bra hooks. May cause more damage than zippers.
- Keys. Can cause more damage than coins. Electronic vehicle keys could quit working after getting washed.
Too Much Laundry Or Oversized Items
Stuffing laundry into the machine until it is overfull or trying to wash huge comforters puts extra stress on the machine components. Clothes don’t get cleaned thoroughly. Large loads cause excessive wear on belts, gears, and rollers, and a shorter washing machine lifespan.
Courtesy: freepik.com – Overfull washing machine.
Anything With Flammable Stains
Items stained with flammable products–like gas, solvents, diesel, cooking oil, etc.–produce vapor that could burn or even explode according to some washing machine manufacturers. Remove the stain before putting it in the machine.
Anything With Extras Glued Or Sewn On
Any item with glued-on or sewn-on decorations likely won’t get through a wash cycle without damage. Heat and water release glue, baubles get tangled in other clothing, and the garment beats against the drum. Anything that comes off ends up in the pump and hoses causing clogs and damage.
Memory Foam Pillows
If memory foam pillows survive the spin cycle, they are still useless after machine washing. They lose all structure and will not revert to form.
Wool Items
Some wool and cashmere clothing claim to be machine washable. Even they can shrink or pill if not handled properly. Read the labels carefully before machine washing them. When in doubt, opt for handwashing or professional cleaning.
Too Much Detergent
Using too much detergent is not a good thing. It leaves a residue in the drum and may damage the control panel or cause sensors to malfunction. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Wet Clothes
Wet clothes left in the machine for long periods after the cycle is completed can cause mold growth in the machine and on clothes. The clothes may smell so bad you have to wash them again. Most people toss wet clothes into the washing machine–towels, swimwear, rags, etc–regularly. Don’t let them sit for extended periods before starting the washer.
