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5 Things You Should Never Put in the Washing Machine: Protect Your Clothes and Appliance
When it comes to laundry, the washing machine is an essential appliance in most households, designed to make cleaning clothes easier and faster. However, while the machine is built to handle a variety of fabrics and garments, it’s important to remember that not everything belongs in the wash. Some items can damage your clothes, the washing machine itself, or both.
In this article, we’ll explore the 5 things you should never put in the washing machine and why avoiding these items can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.
1. Delicate Fabrics (Like Silk and Lace)
While you might be tempted to throw your favorite delicate blouse or lace lingerie into the washing machine, doing so can lead to irreparable damage. Delicate fabrics such as silk, lace, cashmere, or wool require extra care that a washing machine simply can’t provide.
Why?
- The agitation in a regular wash cycle can tear, stretch, or ruin the fibers of delicate materials.
- Silk can lose its luster, while wool and cashmere may shrink or lose their shape.
What to do instead:
- For these delicate items, either hand wash them with a mild detergent or use a mesh laundry bag and wash them on the gentle cycle in cold water. For wool and cashmere, consider using a wool-specific detergent.
2. Heavy Items (Like Blankets, Comforters, and Rugs)
Large and heavy items such as blankets, comforters, and area rugs might seem like a perfect fit for your washing machine, but they can cause significant problems. The sheer size and weight of these items can throw off the balance of the washer, potentially leading to an unbalanced load or damage to the machine.
Why?
- The weight of bulky items can strain your washing machine’s motor and cause it to malfunction.
- Heavy materials like blankets can absorb a lot of water, which increases their weight even more, making the spin cycle difficult for the machine to handle.
- They may not fit properly, leading to an ineffective wash and possible damage.
What to do instead:
- Check the care label: Some comforters and blankets are machine washable, but make sure your washing machine has enough capacity to handle them.
- Consider washing large items at a laundromat with industrial-sized machines, or hand wash them if possible.
3. Items with Zippers, Snaps, or Buttons
While zippers, snaps, and buttons are common on many garments, they can be a real hassle for your washing machine. Hard metal objects like zippers and buttons can get caught on fabric, causing rips, tears, or snags.
Why?
- Zippers can easily snag on delicate fabrics or other items in the wash.
- Snaps and buttons can pop off or get caught in the washer’s drum or on other clothes, causing damage.
What to do instead:
- Zip zippers and fasten buttons before tossing your garments into the washing machine.
- For items with snaps or delicate buttons, consider placing them in a mesh laundry bag or turning them inside out to protect them.
4. Shoes (Especially Leather or Suede)
While some types of sneakers and sports shoes can survive a wash in the machine, leather and suede shoes should never be put in the washing machine. These materials are particularly vulnerable to damage from water, detergent, and high-speed spinning.
Why?
- Leather can dry out, crack, or lose its shape when exposed to the intense heat and moisture in a washing machine.
- Suede can get stiff or damaged due to moisture and harsh detergent.
- Washing shoes can also damage the washing machine’s drum, especially if the shoes are too heavy or improperly placed.
What to do instead:
