11 things you shouldn't put in the washing machine but probably do

Metro

19-05-2025

Link is copied Comments Where would we be without the washing machine? Government statistics reveal that 97% of British homes have one but whether you're in that majority or haul your dirty washing down the launderette once a week, it's vital you know which items you can throw in and those you should avoid. Here are the most common things you should consider washing by hand instead... (Picture: Getty Images) If you're someone who has to wear a tie for work, or you have kids who wear them as part of their school uniform, you'll no doubt be tempted to stick them in the washing machine along with the rest of your weekly laundry. You probably shouldn't though. Ties are often made of silk, wool or another delicate material which doesn't do well in the machine, meaning they could shrink or warp under the pressure of the hot water and detergent. Stick to handwashing instead to keep them looking pristine (Picture: Getty Images/PhotoAlto) Here's one which in certain circumstances - such as if the care label allows it - can be machine washed. But we include it because for the most part you really shouldn't be sticking your bras in the washing machine. For one thing many are made of delicate materials such as silk or lace which could leave them vulnerable to damage being washed in this way. For another, if they have wires inside them, these could tear through and find their way into the inner workings of the machine - potentially causing damage. Stick to handwashing unless it states you can do otherwise (Picture: Getty Images) Like bras, some of your swimwear may be machine washable, and if so feel free to chuck it in the machine along with everything else. But otherwise avoid machine-washing it after your swim or tanning session as the stretchy material in swimsuits can be compromised in the machine, causing it to lose its shape over time. The delicate material could also be damaged if it catches on any clasps or zips from other items in the machine at the same time. Which means you're far better off soaking the suit to remove any seawater (if needed) then washing it by hand (Picture: Getty Images) Whether it's a trusty biker jacket, favourite skirt or even a beloved belt, many of us have something leather in our wardrobe - but what happens when you come to clean it? Well one thing you definitely shouldn't do is stick it in the machine as it's likely to split and crack if you do. The best way to clean it is to sponge it down with a solution of warm water and liquid detergent or washing powder, then dry it with a cloth. And don't ever fully immerse it in water as this could also cause damage (Picture: Getty Images/Westend61) Got a cat or a dog running around the house? If so you'll be all too familiar with the concept of getting pet hair on your socks or other items of clothing. Tempting as it might be to peel them off and stick them in the washing machine avec fur, don't even think about it. If you launder clothes covered in hairs from your pet, you run the risk they could either stick to the drum or clog up the drain filter which could potentially cause damage. Instead remove excess pet hair with a lint roller beforehand (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) You might well own a sequinned dress or outfit which is your go-to partywear, taking pride of place in your wardrobe. Good for you. Don't stick it in the washing machine though. Anything covered in sequins will inevitably be compromised in the machine; at best you'll lose some, meaning your item doesn't look nearly as good as it should, at worst they could get caught in the machine itself, with the sort of consequences you can imagine. Embellishments which are glued on to an item should also be avoided as the hot water could melt the glue, ruining your lovely outfit. Stick to handwashing instead and always follow the instructions on the care label (Picture: Getty Images) If you've been working with flammable materials and your clothes are now covered in them, sticking them in at 40 degrees is a very bad idea. Liquids such as motor oil, cooking oil, petrol and even alcohol could potentially be a fire hazard when faced with the heat generated by the washing machine - and even more so if you also tumble dry them. What you should do instead is hand soak the item, apply a stain remover, then handwash the garment in hot water and hang it up to dry naturally (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) If you have synthetic, cotton or down pillows then you're usually fine to wash them in your machine. But memory foam is another matter. Putting that on a hot cycle is, in general, a really bad idea because you'll likely end up with a heavy, soggy mess of a pillow, and the delicate material could even be split or torn. A better bet is to use a solution of warm water and washing-up liquid - or, if you have an upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, you can use that instead (Picture: Getty Images) There's nothing wrong with machine washing items of clothing with zips. Leaving them unzipped though? That's a different story. Putting an open zip in with the rest of the wash could potentially cause problems, since the metal teeth of the zip could not only catch on other clothes and ruin them, but it could also come into contact with the drum of the machine, causing possible damage. So zip it before you wash it (Picture: Getty Images) This one should be fairly obvious but if you have an item made of delicate fabric in your wardrobe - whether it's a cashmere sweater, a velvet dress, or something made of silk or lace - washing it in the machine with your cottons is not a good idea. Materials like this don't do well when faced with high temperatures and your garment could end up looking faded or worn - and even shrink. Stick to handwashing using a gentle detergent, or even consider getting the item dry-cleaned. And if the label says you can machine wash it, do so carefully in a separate laundry bag for example (Picture: Getty Images) Finally, it might not be a specific item but overfilling your washing machine is as ill-advised as washing your leather jacket or your favourite sequinned party dress. Adding too much laundry could prevent it all from being washed properly since the laundry won't move around as efficiently and the detergent might not reach it all. Plus, the machine itself may struggle to spin everything, meaning your normally quiet device could start shaking and making a bit of a racket. To prevent this, follow the instructions in the manual and only fill it to the recommended capacity (Picture: Getty Images)