7 Items You Should Never Put in the Washing Machine

Whether it’s sweaty activewear or your favorite T-shirt, no appliance simplifies getting your clothes clean like the washing machine. However, while most fabrics can handle a wash cycle, not everything belongs in the machine. In fact, washing certain items could cause damage—or even pose a safety risk. Here are seven things you should never put in your washing machine.

Very Delicate Fabrics

Morgan LaLonde, Whirlpool laundry brand manager, tells me it’s best to avoid washing clothing items and shoes made from materials like suede, leather, rubber, vinyl, silk, acetate, velvet, wool, and taffeta, as well as any beaded or sequined items to avoid any damage to the sensitive materials.

If you’re not sure what something is made from or if it belongs in the washing machine—just check the garment tag. It should provide exact washing instructions. 

Fabrics Containing Flammable Chemicals

While you probably don’t want to ruin your clothes, you also don’t want to do anything that could damage your machine or put you or your home in danger. Pete He, Dirty Labs’ co-founder and chief scientist, tells me washing household items like rags that may have been used to clean up things such as motor oil and paint thinner should not be put in the washer. “Avoid those situations since higher temperatures during the cleaning and drying process may ignite those flammable stains, causing fire or even explosion,” he says.

Batik Fabrics

It’s best to keep batik fabrics out of your washing machine. “Many batik fabrics are often not considered dye-fast, meaning their colors can bleed or transfer to other fabrics when washed, especially if they are not properly pre-washed or set with a dye fixer,” He explains. 

Instead of the washing machine, He advises spot cleaning or hand washing using a mild detergent designed for delicates and applying cold or warm water. “Be sure to avoid high temperatures during the cleaning and drying process.”

Memory Foam Pillows

Are your memory foam pillows looking a little worse for wear? Think twice before throwing them in the wash. “The mechanical actions and higher temperatures during the machine cleaning process may distort and weaken the original form factors irreversibly,” He says. “Instead, spot clean it with a mild detergent and water by gently blotting stains, avoiding submerging the entire pillow in water, and allow the pillow to air dry completely on a flat surface after cleaning.”

LaLonde also calls memory foam pillows a no for the washer. “They will likely break apart if washed in a washing machine and could cause additional damage to the appliance,” she says.

Rugs

Unless it’s a washable rug, LaLonde tells me it’s best to keep most rugs out of the washing machine. “Caring for rugs depends on a variety of factors, including their size, material, and care label instructions,” she says. “Cotton and some synthetic fibers are usually fine to clean in a washing machine, but wool, silk, jute, and shag aren’t typically washer-friendly.”

Too Many Items

Do you have a massive pile of laundry? It’s best to divide it into two loads instead of trying to stuff everything in your washing machine. “Do not overload your washing machine, as it can cause an unbalance and may put extra stress on your machine,” LaLonde warns.

Too Much Detergent

Do you have an extra dirty load? You might be tempted to pour an extra capful or two into your washing machine, but according to LaLonde, it’s a bad idea. “Most consumers are also unaware that using too much detergent can be damaging to both the washing machine and your clothing,” she says. “When too much detergent is loaded into the washer, it can lead to over-sudding and longer cycle times.”