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5 Things You Should Never Put in the Washing Machine
Your washing machine is one of the hardest-working appliances in your home. It scrubs, spins, rinses, and freshens up everything from muddy jeans to delicate linens. But while it can handle a lot, it’s not invincible—and putting the wrong items inside can cause serious damage to your clothes, your machine, or both.
If you want to avoid costly repairs and keep your laundry in top shape, it’s important to know what doesn’t belong in the wash. Here are five things you should never put in your washing machine—and what to do instead.
🚫 1. Embellished or Delicate Items (Beads, Sequins, Lace)
Why not?
Clothes with heavy embellishments, delicate lace, or hand-sewn decorations can get tangled, torn, or shredded in the washer—even on a gentle cycle. The agitation and spinning can loosen threads or pull beads and sequins off completely.
What to do instead:
Hand wash these items in cold water with a gentle detergent, or place them in a mesh laundry bag and wash on a delicate cycle—though hand washing is still safer for anything particularly fragile or sentimental.
🚫 2. Memory Foam Items (Pillows, Bath Mats)
Why not?
Memory foam doesn’t hold up well in the washing machine. The agitation can cause it to break apart, leaving you with a lumpy mess—and potentially clogging your washer in the process.
What to do instead:
Spot clean with a mild detergent and a damp cloth, or refer to the manufacturer’s care instructions. Most memory foam items should never be fully submerged in water.
🚫 3. Coins, Keys, and Small Hard Objects
Why not?
Left in pockets, items like coins, keys, hairpins, and nails can damage the drum, shatter the glass on front-load washers, or get stuck in the filter or drain. They can even lead to full mechanical breakdowns.
What to do instead:
Always check pockets before tossing anything in the
