Having a hard time figuring out what items you shouldn’t put in the portable washing machine? Here is a list of 12 things you should never put in the washer.
Kids are awesome! But kids can be trouble. A few years ago, my daughter decided that Buddy, our dog, needed a wash.
So, Emma put buddy in our portable washing machine for camping and turned it on. Back then, Buddy was only a puppy, and I had just adopted him.
I had just stepped out of the house to water the yard when Emma was “laundering” Buddy.
Getting back into the house, I heard the sound of the washer in the bathroom and decided to go check it out since I was sure it was off before I went outside.
Guess what met my eyes. Emma was standing in front of the portable washer waiting for her load to finish washing. Kids!
I rushed and removed Buddy from the washer. Poor creature had almost drowned! I had to explain to Emma that not just anything can be put in the machine.
I take it that you already know pets shouldn’t go into the portable washing machine, but what else can’t you put in there? Shoes? Certain fabrics?
Let’s jump in and see.
Excessive Detergent
Many people still think that it’s okay to put whatever amount they like in the washer. While it’s true that more detergent makes it easier to clean clothes, the risks presented are not worth taking.
First of all, the excess detergent will be harder to remove. The remaining detergent will cause the clothes to smell, as detergent attracts bacteria.
Again, excess detergent in the washer will trap dirt and bacteria. That will, in turn, cause the washing machine to develop a foul smell, which might be hard to remove.
Cashmere and Wool
One thing about these two natural fabrics is that they’re quite expensive. You don’t want to put your cashmere or wool garment in the washer, only to see it get damaged.
Cashmere and wool garments are usually meant to be cleaned carefully by hand-washing.
That being said, check the label. If it says you wash it, do so in the delicate cycle.
Embellished Garments
If it glitters, take it to the drycleaner. Putting embellished clothes in the portable washing machine is sure to do one thing – wreaking havoc. Consider taking all embellished, heavily-sequined, and velvet clothes to the drycleaner.
Leather Clothes and Shoes
If the shoes are made of fabric, feel free to put them in the washer. But if they are made of leather, you don’t want to put them in there for two major reasons.
First, most leather shoes have some parts that are joined together using glue. And we all know what a combination of movement, water and heat does to parts that are joined using glue – it separates them.
And secondly, there leather will get wrinkled and weakened.
Clothes made of leather, too, shouldn’t be put in the washing machine because of the wrinkling and weakening effect.
Baby Socks and Gloves
Yes, those little baby socks might look innocent and all, but they can create trouble.
Thought you had a problem with losing your socks? Baby socks are a lot easier to lose when put in the portable washing machine.
As they are little items, they can easily get stuck in the hoses and vents of the washer. And there, they can create washing machine problems such as drainage issues.
If you have to wash baby socks and gloves in the washer, be sure to put them in a mesh bag.
Neckties
If you have expensive neckties, you probably don’t want them damaged prematurely.
Ties are often made of premium materials such as silk for aesthetic purposes. Moreover, the inside structures can easily get twisted, causing the ties to lose shape.
To preserve your ties, consider gentle handwashing.
Bras
Like neckties, bras are made of delicate materials. The inner structure can easily get twisted out of shape.
Apart from that, the straps of your bra might get caught in the wash tub. Subsequently, it can catch the other clothes in the washer, causing the weak ones to get ripped.
That’s why it’s wiser to handwash bras. And if you have to wash them in the machine, be sure to put them in a lingerie bag first.
Clothes Covered with Hairs
We all can agree that it is a bad idea to shave and put hair in the sink or the shower drain. And the reason is simple – the hair can clog the sink or drain, creating draining problems.
That’s the same reason why you shouldn’t wash items covered with hair from pets, our bodies or whatever other sources.
Hair can cause serious drainage issues by blocking the washing machine’s drains and pump filters.
Before putting items covered with hair in your portable washing machine and dryer, be sure to brush them to get as much hair as possible off. Alternatively, you can first put them in the dryer with a few dryer sheets so they can tumble and lose the hair. Use low heat.
Lace Garments
Lace is a fine fabric made of silk or cotton, and featuring net-like patterns. As much as lace garments look good, they’re fragile and can break apart.
If you have lace garments, you’d better clean them by hand rather than damaging them with the water.
When cleaning, try using cold water and avoid scrubbing to avoid running the lace fabric.
If for some reason, you have to use the washing machine, be sure to put your lace garments in a lingerie bag and wash them on the delicate cycle.
Clothes That Are Stained with Flammable Substances
Washing machines use electricity to run. Again, they involve movements that may create little sparks. If something happens and there’s a fire, the flammable fluid staining the clothes will only worsen the situation.
Some of flammable fluids that may stain clothes include: alcohol, cooking oil, gasoline, paint thinner, and motor oil.
Before putting items stained in flammable fluids in the washer, do this: presoak them in water containing detergent. That will weaken the flammable fluid.
Throw Blankets
Throw blankets have a warm and cozy feel to keep us comfortable during those Netflix marathons.
But there’s one thing many people don’t realize – many throw blankets have a dry-clean only label. When washed, they lose that comfy feel. To be on the safe side, make sure you check the label.
Pillows and Pads
One sure way to ruin foam pillows, cushions, mattress pads and other such materials is to put them in the washing machine. The machine’s movements and agitation is just too much for such things.
If you want to keep these items clean and fresh, while doing well to keep them in shape, handwashing is the way to go. Some soapy warm water in a bathtub and a little bit of squeezing should do.
Final Word
I thought of including “pets” as the thirteenth item you shouldn’t put in the washer, then I remembered, “Who doesn’t already know that?”.
Well, that’s my list of the 12 items you shouldn’t put in the portable washing machine. Most clothes can be washed with the machine.
Still, you got to check the label of each item, not only to make sure it is washable, but also to ensure you’re using the right settings for the fabric.
What did I leave out among the things that shouldn’t be put in the washer? Feel free to give your inputs in the comments.