13 things you should never wash in the washing machine

When it comes to laundry day, it seems our washing machines can handle almost anything we throw at them. We say ‘almost’ anything because there are some items which can be damaged by the aggressiveness of a cycle, while others can even take its toll on the machine itself.

That’s why you need to pay attention to what you load in the washing machine and use alternative methods if necessary. We’ve found 13 things you should never machine-wash so you know what to avoid. Steer clear of these and both they and your washing machine will last longer.

1. Anything loose in the pockets

One of the most common laundry mishaps comes from not checking the pockets of items before you put them in the machine. Jean pockets can sometimes contain loose change, which can do some damage to the drum as it tumbles. Rogue tissues can dissolve and cover your items in fluff come the end of the cycle, which renders it pointless. And if you leave a phone in there, needless to say you’re looking at an expensive accident.

Always turn pockets inside out before loading your clothes. If you hear the sound of something in the drum which shouldn’t be there, switch off the machine and remove the rogue item as soon as possible. Empty the drain filter regularly; small items can get caught in here as well.

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2. Dry clean only items

If something says it’s dry-clean only on the care label, it’s likely to be a fragile material which could easily be damaged by the aggressiveness or temperature of a washing cycle. It requires specialist cleaning in such cases. There are certain exceptions to this; if washing instructions are given alongside the dry-clean logo, dry cleaning is recommended rather than demanded.

Should you attempt to clean such items in a washing machine, you’re very likely to damage them. In our opinion, it’s not a risk worth taking.

3. Sandy towels

It’s always fun to spend a day at the beach, but returning home to deal with the soggy swimsuits and sandy towels, not so much. It’s tempting to bung those sandy towels straight into the washing machine but we’d recommend you avoid doing this at all costs.

“Sand is abrasive and could damage the drum as well as block the filter and pipes,” explains Tailang Bu from Hotpoint. “Once sand has found its way into your machine, it’s hard to remove.”

Instead, thoroughly dry and shake out towels before you attempt to machine-wash them. Once dry, you can also use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove any finals grains of sand.

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4. Swimsuits

Following on from this, you need to take care when washing your swimsuit too. If you check the care label, you will see some are listed as machine-washable, but we recommend steering clear as it can cause unnecessary wear on the stretchy material. Plus, the abrasiveness of the detergent can leave its mark as well.

As soon as you’re home, rinse your swimwear, then soak in cool water for about 20 minutes. This will remove immediate seawater. Hand wash the swimsuit using tepid water and a non-abrasive detergent designed for sportswear. Rinse well, then squeeze the excess out, but don’t wring or you could damage the Lycra.

Do not tumble dry for the same reasons as above and avoid hanging by the straps. Dry away from direct sunlight to protect the colours. You can also remove moisture by rolling the swimsuit in a towel and then pressing it.

5. Open zippers

Open zippers can cause a lot of damage in a washing machine, particularly when they’re combined with delicate fabrics. It’s not surprising when you feel how sharp they actually are; it’s essentially small metal teeth which can catch and snag with ease. Always close zippers before washing items in the washing machine. Make sure such items are only loaded with similar materials as well; denim is durable and hardy and shouldn’t be washed alongside silky or lacey items.

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6. Tailored items

Tailored items, such as jackets, suits and coats, tend to be very expensive, so they’re really not worth risking in the washing machine. In fact, we argue they shouldn’t be hand washed either, unless the care label specifies.

Tailored items are generally made from a custom combination of materials. Each component will have alternate properties. For instance, some will shrink faster than others, while linings might be more delicate. This can result in the item losing its shape when subjected to the abrasiveness and high temperatures of a washing machine. Always dry-clean your tailored items to protect it.

7. Leather

Likewise, leather should definitely avoid the washing machine. The material will dry out and crack, and it will shrink in the process too. Sponge leather clothing clean and never fully immerse it in water.

To remove residue from the surface, you can apply a solution of soapflakes or liquid detergent with the sponge, dabbing it where needed. Then wipe clean with a damp microfibre cloth and hang until completely dry.

Bear in mind that you should always check and follow the care label first; the above instructions apply only to washable leather. You should also treat these items with a waterproofing spray or balm, such as Renapur Leather Balsam, after they’ve been washed.

Non-washable leather needs to be professionally cleaned every few years, as needed.

8. Flammable or combustible stains

If you ever end up with a motor oil stains (likewise cooking oil, alcohol and petrol) on your clothing, you need to take extra care when cleaning your garments. Any flammable or combustible substances can create a fire hazard when subjected to the temperatures of a washing machine. Add to that, if it’s not fully removed in a single cycle, which is likely for such a tough stain, it can spread to further items in the drum and future washes. It goes without saying that this makes such stains unsuitable for the tumble dryer as well.

Always hand wash clothing with such stains. Soak the item in a detergent solution, rinse well, then treat the stains to fully remove them, rinsing the product away afterwards. Use a proprietary stain remover, such as Dr. Beckmann Stain Devis Grease, Lubricant and Paint.

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9. Anything embellished

Items which feature sequins or beads are generally very fragile. They’re a no-go for the washing machine because of the aggressiveness of the cycle; embellishments could easily be dislodged or ripped away in the process.

Delicate lace shouldn’t be put in the machine for the same reason. In fact, we recommend dry cleaning to avoid accidental damage, unless the label specifically tells you hand washing is allowed. Even in such cases, dry cleaning might still be the better option for the garment.

10. Trainers

Some trainers are machine-washable, it’s true, but not all are. The care label will tell you whether this is the case.

Even if your trainers are machine-washable, the tumbling motion is very aggressive, and this could leave a mark on your trainers unless you protect them. Place them in a mesh laundry bag and pad out the load with towels to save them from such an impact.

If they’re not machine washable, hand wash or spot clean as necessary instead. These methods are gentler on trainers, and still capable of whitening if that’s what’s needed.

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11. Bras

Bras can be machine-washed if the care label allows, but they’re usually comprised of fragile materials, such as lace and silk. This means they’re quite vulnerable to damage in the washing machine. Open clasps can catch other items in the process as well.

Hand washing bras is a safer method, particularly if there’s under-wiring which is at risk of tearing through.

If you’re determined to machine-wash, always wash bras in mesh laundry bags or inside pillowcases alongside similar materials. Stick to the delicates cycles and never tumble dry. Hang to dry from where the cups meet instead of the straps.

12. Velvet

We recommend dry cleaning your velvet clothing to maintain its rich and thick texture. If you ever need to remove wrinkles, you can steam velvet, inside out, using a clothes steamer. Or you can iron it with the pile facing downwards on a towel.

If you ever need to renew the pile, shake it out while drying and smooth over the material using a velvet brush.

13. Too much at once

While this isn’t a particular item, it’s still important! Overloading your washing machine prevents the clothes inside from agitating as well, deterring the wash performance. Add to that, the detergent won’t be evenly applied due to the sheer bulk of washing. This habit encourages wrinkles too, so it’s really not worth the effort.

Ideally keep your load to about ¾ full.