7 Things Not to Wash in a Washing Machine

a girl is wearing maroon shirt is doing laundry in washing machine

Most people prefer to wash their clothes, towels and bedsheets in the washing machine. However, some fabrics are sensitive and not prone to washing machines as they’re considered things not to wash in a washing machine. 

That’s because if you put those soft fabrics in the washing machines, they’ll not only fade the colour but can also damage your clothes. Instead, you can wash these fabrics by hand to keep them safe.

However, if you need more time to wash your laundry essentials, you can contact Love2Laundry and benefit from their dry cleaning and laundry services to ensure your clothes are washed safely.

So, if you want to know what laundry essentials you should not put in the washing machine, then read them below:

Products to Avoid Putting in a Washing Machine:

Clothes Covered in Pet Furs

The first crucial thing you must be aware of is to avoid putting those clothes in the washing machine. That’s because tossing these fabrics in the washing machine will cover the other clothes with pet hair and your washing machine.

So, wash the clothes covered in pet hairs separately by hand to remove the furs, as is the case when not using a washing machine while cleaning clothes. 

a girl is holding 2 white puppies

Memory Foam Pillows

Mostly, people wash their pillows manufactured from cotton in the washing machine to save time and energy. However, that’s not the case with memory foam pillows. That’s because the foam in these pillows is too soft and can be torn apart during the wash.

To avoid the word case scenario, you can use the vacuum to clear out all the dust particles, and if there’s a need for a spot cleaning, then you can take a small piece of clothing and a dish detergent, rub the solution gently and then rinse it with another cloth.

a girl is holding white pillow

Fabrics with Stains of Flames

Washing machines are perfect for removing stains from clothes, but if a flame causes the stain, it’s better to avoid using a washing machine. For instance, stains caused by cooking oil, alcohol, or gasoline. In short, it’s a perfect answer for what can ruin the washing machine.

The reason for avoiding this situation is that if you try to wash clothes with flammable stains, they can catch fire, damaging the washing machine and putting your life in danger.

High-quality Suits

You should be aware of never tossing your suit in the washing machine, as it can drastically damage your suit. That’s because the suit’s fabric is very delicate and sensitive and requires light washing by hand to be more durable. 

What breaks a washing machine is that when the fabrics of the suits get torn and trapped in the fan, your washing machine will also sustain damage. So, it’s better to opt for an alternate method for washing your suits.

Purse

Purses are also an item you can include in the list of things not to put in the washing machine top load as it can sustain critical damage. Usually, purses are made of leather; if leather goes inside the washing machine, it won’t come out in one piece.

Moreover, any external design on the purses made from metal or plastic will also get torn apart. In that case, you should go for an alternate method: washing it by hand.

Sweaters

Sweaters have the most delicate fabric; putting it in a washing machine is a common mistake. However, if you don’t have enough time to wash your clothes by hand, then it’s better to read the label of your sweaters; if they’re manufactured from wool, cashmere, or velvet, then you must wash them by yourself; otherwise, you can use a washing machine.   

There’s another demerit of washing the sweaters in a washing machine, which is the high temperature, which can result in the shrinking of your sweaters, so make sure to avoid it.

a girl is smelling her maroon sweater

Final Thoughts

Surely, a washing machine has provided much-needed help for everyone in washing clothes. Still, people need to remember that not all clothes are manufactured to be washed in a washing machine, and the best examples of those clothes are silk, wool, and leather. As a result, these fabrics are termed “things not to wash in a washing machine” and yes, remember to contact Love2Laundry to hire their top-notch dry cleaning and laundry services if you need more time and resources.


Frequently Asked Questions

What can ruin a washing machine?

There are some factors you must watch out for that can ruin your washing machine, such as:

  • Overloading 
  • Wrong detergent
  • Dirty filter
  • Skipping maintenance

What fabrics cannot be washed in a washing machine?

If you have clothes manufactured from silk, wool, or suede, then it’s better to avoid tossing them in the washing machine. 

Is it OK to put stuff on a washing machine?

Yes, you can put stuff on the top of the washing machine on one condition: if they’re light in weight, like a laundry basket or folded clothes. If you put a heavy load on the top of the washing machine, then it can affect its working and potentially damage it.

Can foam damage a washing machine?

Absolutely. The reason behind this is that foams are very delicate and light particles, and putting them in a washing machine is dangerous because once they get torn, they’ll spread within the washing machine and affect its power to wash clothes.

Can we put all the clothes in a washing machine?

Yes, you can; however, the first thing you need to watch is the care label of your clothes as it guides you through the instructions. If the label says to wash it in the machine only, you can toss it in; otherwise, wash your clothes by hand.