It is crucial to properly handle clothes before, during and after the washing process in order to preserve their quality and extend their durability.
The washing machine is one of the home appliances most used in homes, and it is important to keep it in good condition to ensure efficient and long-lasting washing of garments. One of the key precautions in the care of this device is avoid putting clothes that are not suitable for machine washing.
When it comes to doing laundry, it’s crucial to know which items should not be put in the washing machine. Although it may be tempting to throw everything in the drum to save time, there are certain items that can be permanently damaged.
Clothes that you should not put in the washing machine
There are several reasons why some clothes should not be put in the washing machine. Firstly, certain sensitive materials, such as silk, wool or delicate fabrics, can be damaged or deformed by movement or friction.
This type of clothing usually requires special care, such as hand washing or dry cleaning, in order to preserve its quality, but above all its original shape.
On the other hand, certain chemicals present in detergents or fabric softeners may not be suitable for certain types of fabrics or specialty garmentssuch as raincoats or technical sportswear.
In general, it’s important to follow the care instructions for each item and consider its material, trims, and special requirements before deciding whether or not it’s safe to put it in the washing machine. In any case that you have doubts, it is advisable to go to dry cleaning professionals.
In this article, we present a list of 15 things that are relevant to avoid machine washingwith the aim of preserving both your clothes and the good condition of your washing machine.
- Clothes covered in pet hair: It is valuable to avoid putting items covered in pet hair in the washing machine for several reasons. First, hair can clog washer filters, which can affect performance and reduce efficiency. Also, pet hair can be transferred to other clothes during washing, resulting in poor cleaning.
- memory foam pillows: This type of pillow can be easily damaged as it is extremely delicate material and should not be machine washed. The washing process can leave them soggy and in very poor condition.
- loose bras: In order to protect their shape, it is better to use a laundry bag or wash them by hand, since the machine may deform and tangle them, so it is better to avoid this method.
- Unzip: Before washing garments with zippers, it is vital to close them completely. It should be noted that if they get open they can get caught and cause damage to other clothes during the wash cycle, and can even scratch the inside of the washing machine drum.
- Bikinis: While some swimsuits may be machine washable, it is preferable to hand wash them to preserve their shape and elasticity. The material of these garments tends to stretch and get damaged, especially when it comes into contact with other items.
- Garments with flammable stains: Avoid washing in the washing machine clothes that contain flammable stains, such as cooking oil, gasoline or alcohol. These liquids represent a fire hazard and must be treated properly. First of all, it is recommended to use a solvent-based stain remover and wash the garments by hand with hot water.
- Garments with decorations: It is extremely important not to machine wash garments that contain decorations such as sequins, lace or embroidery. Decorative details are delicate and can be damaged, torn, or even melted during the wash cycle.
- heavy clothes: Unbalanced loads can damage the machine and affect its operation. It is preferable to hand wash these garments or use a large capacity model that can adequately handle the weight and size of large volume clothing.
- Sneakers: Washing the shoes in a washing machine can damage both the drum and the machine components. In addition, washing can cause deformation or detach the soles. It is advisable to choose to wash them by hand using a brush and mild detergent.
- Clothes that require dry cleaning: Garments that require dry cleaning should not be put in the washing machine, since the water, but especially the detergent, can cause damage to the fabric. It is important to follow the care instructions indicated on the label and trust a professional dry cleaner for the proper treatment of these garments.
- sharp objects: For nothing in the world you should put clothes that contain sharp objects, such as pins, blades or metal elements, which can cause significant damage to the drum of the washing machine, but also to the rubber gaskets and can even cause water leaks.
- Big plushies: Large plush toys are often too bulky to wash in a domestic washing machine. On the other hand, the washing process can cause damage to the stuffed animals or cause the fillings to fall apart, so you should consider taking them to a specialized commercial laundry.
- Clothes with difficult stains: In any case that you have clothes with stains that are difficult to remove, it is advisable to treat them before washing them in the washing machine. If you omit the previous step, it is likely that during the wash cycle the stains become more impregnated and more difficult to remove.
- Garments with metallic objects: Garments that contain metallic elements, such as large buttons, buckles or decorations, can cause significant damage, such as scratches on the washing machine drum or even the possibility of breaking the glass of the door in models with doors made with this material.
- Garments with adhesive labels: Before washing the garment, it is essential to remove any adhesive label it may have. During the wash cycle, these labels could come off and cause clogs in the washing machine’s filters, as well as stick to other clothes and leave residue that is difficult to remove.
By knowing the clothes you shouldn’t put in the washing machine, you’ll be able to better protect your favorite clothes from possible damage and at the same time keep your washing machine working properly. In the end, always read garment care labels and follow each brand’s recommended instructions to the letter to ensure the best cleaning results.
It should be remembered that some materials present in certain garments are not suitable for machine washing and may suffer irreparable damage. To take care of clothes correctly, you should take into account some tips, such as reading the care labels, which will tell you if the garment is suitable for washing at the recommended temperature or if it should be washed inside out, etc.
