10 Items You Should Never Throw in the Washing Machine
Laundry is generally harmless until the washer starts smelling funky or shaking like it’s about to take off. Appliance experts say most machine damage comes from everyday habits that seem totally normal. Paying attention to fabric type and load size keeps repairs off the to-do list and extends the appliance’s life. Apart from that, here are 10 items that should stay out of the wash cycle.
Excess Detergent
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Pouring extra soap seems productive, but it actually causes buildup. Experts recommend about 2 tablespoons per full load, and many people use far more. Oil-based detergents do not rinse out easily and tend to stick to internal parts. The residue can interfere with sensors and create a musty smell. Clothes can also come out with a soapy film if too much is used. Most caps have measurement lines, and using more than one-third of a cap often leaves leftovers behind.
Fabric Softener And Scent Beads
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Fabric softeners and scent beads leave an oily layer that gums up hoses and affects sensors. Over time, the buildup makes the washer work harder. A few drops of essential oil on a wool dryer ball add fragrance without coating the washer.
Small Items Like Baby Socks
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Tiny pieces of clothing, like baby socks and shoelaces, have a talent for disappearing. Even small underwear can get caught in hoses and vents. Once inside, they block water flow and create drainage problems. A mesh laundry bag keeps them contained and prevents clogs. Keeping one near the hamper makes it easy to toss small items in before wash day.
Oversized Items Like Comforters
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Forcing a king-size comforter into a standard washer puts serious strain on the machine. Overloading throws the drum off balance and stresses the belts and gears. As for top-loading washers, they can wobble if the load shifts too much. When an item barely fits, a laundromat machine with more capacity is a safer bet.
Shoes With Leather Or Heavy Structure
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Some sneakers can survive a wash, but leather accents cannot. Leather tends to peel after being soaked and spun, while shoes that bounce freely inside the drum can dent the interior. If fabric sneakers go in, they belong in a mesh bag or pillowcase on a cold, gentle cycle. Adding towels helps cushion the impact and protect the drum.
Metal Items And Hardware
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Coins, keys, belt buckles, and underwire bras cause more damage than most people realize. Metal can dent the drum and even crack the door. Loose hooks snag fabric and scratch the cylinder. Jackets with heavy zippers can scrape the interior surface during the spin cycle. Emptying pockets and using a laundry bag for wired garments protects both clothes and the machine.
Memory Foam Pillows
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Memory foam and washing machines do not get along. Most memory foam pillows have an open-cell structure that quickly absorbs water. Once soaked, they turn heavy and can break apart during the spin cycle. At worst, the foam may permanently lose its shape. Spot cleaning keeps the pillow intact without drenching the material.
Suits And Ties
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Structured clothing relies on careful stitching and layered fabrics. Even a delicate cycle can shrink or distort suit material. Ties, for example, contain detailed stitching that warps in the washer. Dry cleaning keeps the structure intact and prevents shape loss. A steamer works well between cleanings to remove wrinkles without soaking the fabric.
Sweaters And Lace Garments
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Sweaters can shrink or become matted after a regular wash. Wool, cashmere, velvet, and lace are sensitive to friction. Lace, in particular, tears easily because the fabric is thin and netlike. A mesh bag reduces friction if machine washing is attempted. Going with air drying helps maintain shape and prevents extra stress from heat.
Clothes Covered In Pet Hair
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Use a lint roller to remove loose hair before washing and keep the machine’s drainage system clear. Pet hair changes once it gets wet. As fur clumps together and sticks to the drum, it can clog drain pipes. Hair also transfers easily to other clothes during the cycle, and running heavily coated items straight into the washer spreads the mess.