Devin Jacobs
Washing machines make laundry day easier, but some items just need human hands. When you know what not to wash, you can protect your belongings and your machine. Here’s a list of some unexpected items that can ruin your favorite clothes, accessories, and even the washing machine itself.
Heat Transfer Printed Clothes
If you want those pretty prints to stay the same for a long time, keep your heat treated t-shirts away from your washer. The combination of water pressure and spinning motion will gradually destroy the artwork. Preserve these statement pieces by gently spot-cleaning them with a soft cloth.
Silk Garments
Did you know that machine washing can permanently destroy the natural proteins in a silk garment? Silk is a luxurious fabric, so treat your silk clothes like royalty. Take them to professional cleaners who understand the fabric’s unique properties and can keep their lustrous sheen intact.
Delicate Soft Toys
You wouldn’t want your cute little fluffy toys to turn to pieces. Mechanical agitation is rough, which can tear the seams and destroy delicate toys. To wash soft toys, remove visible stains by hand and use fabric softener to maintain their shape and other properties that make them unique.
Leather Items
Have you ever wondered why premium leather goods come with care instructions? That’s because machine washing strips essential oils from leather, causing irreversible damage. So, instead of using a machine, you should invest in leather conditioning products and wipe them clean with appropriate solutions.
Running Shoes
Use a specialized shoe cleaning kit to clean your shoes and maintain their color, style, and performance. Machine swirls can compromise the shock absorption and support structures of running shoes. Think twice before you put those expensive shoes in the washer!
Velvet Clothing
To preserve your velvet clothing’s fibers and finish, only trust a reliable dry cleaning outlet. Otherwise, those twisting washing cycles can crush your delicate velvet clothes to the core. And you wouldn’t want to see your favorites destroyed right before the occasion.
Hats with Brims
Your structured hats tell a style story, and you can’t let a washing machine rewrite it. The whole mechanical process warps careful construction of the brim—enough to ruin your designer hat. Even the fabric can suffer, losing its integrity and structure. To prevent this, a gentle wash with a soft brush is the way to go.
Garden Gloves
Surprised to find garden gloves on this list? Well, some people think it’s safe. The truth is, your washer’s drainage system isn’t designed for heavy soil residue. It is better to wash your muddy gloves outdoors and air dry them naturally to maintain their protective qualities.
Electric Blankets
When it comes to electric blankets, your option is to focus on surface cleaning and always follow manufacturer guidelines for maintenance. Washing electric blankets in a machine can create serious safety hazards when you use the blanket. The internal wiring system is not capable of handling water and pressure.
Dyed Fabrics That Bleed
Machine washing can turn your colorful favorites into pale shadows of their former glory, which makes it important to only toss dyed fabrics after testing them. If they bleed, it’s obvious they don’t belong in the machine. In this case, try some colorfast methods to clean them.