Household Items You Can Put In The Washing Machine

A washing machine is one of the most essential appliances in your home. It ensures you always have clean clothes to wear and allows you to launder your sheets and towels regularly. While its primary function is cleaning your dirty clothes and bedding, you might be surprised by some other household items you can put in the washer.

Reusable bags, dog beds and toys, sneakers, and baseball hats are all items you might not know you can put in the washer. Household items you can put in the washer include curtains, some rugs, and linen shower liners. Yoga mats, pot holders, and mop heads can be placed in the washer for thorough cleaning. Check the care tag before washing these items in the machine.

Having a washing machine at home can save you tons of time and energy, but this appliance often goes underutilized. If you’ve only used your washer to clean clothes, towels, and bedding, then you aren’t using this machine to its full potential. Below is a list of household items you probably didn’t know you can clean in the washer.

Items You Didn’t Know You Can Clean In The Washer

1. Reusable Grocery Bags

Reusable grocery bags are great if you're looking to reduce single-use plastics at home. They are also more durable than most plastic and paper grocery bags. One downside to reusable bags is that they get dirty and require regular cleaning. Instead of constantly spot cleaning and handwashing grocery bags, consider putting them in the washer. As long as your reusable bag is made of a durable material, it should be machine-washable (look for a care tag to be sure). 

2. Sneakers

If you love the outdoors but hate cleaning your dirty footwear, consider buying sneakers and hiking shoes that you can put in the washing machine. While not all footwear is machine-washable, many sneakers can be put through a gentle cycle. A washing machine is very effective at removing dirt, stains, and smells from your sneakers. It’s also significantly easier than hand-washing them. Always check the care tag and remove the laces before putting them in the washing machine.

3. Sports Hats

Hats get noticeably dirty over time, often with unsightly sweat stains. Instead of always scrubbing these stains away by hand, consider adding your hats to a load of laundry. Some hats are made of materials that are not machine-wash safe, but many baseball and sun hats can survive a washing cycle without issue. 

4. Throw Rugs

Rugs are a pain to deep clean. That is, unless you can put them in the washer. Many modern rugs are machine-washable and compact enough to fit in your machine. When you buy a throw rug, choose machine-washable options, as they make it easier to keep your home clean.

5. Curtains And Drapes

Curtains and drapes collect dust and dirt over time and require seasonal cleaning. Many types of curtains and drapes are machine-washable, making your job much easier. Ensure you use the gentle cycle and cold water if your curtains have embroidery and embellishments that require a soft touch. Always allow your curtains to dry on a line to prevent damage and shrinking.

6. Mop Heads

You should clean a mop head after every use. This ensures the mop doesn’t collect bacteria or begin to smell. It also helps it last longer. Handwashing your mop head, however, is not an enjoyable experience. Most mop heads are machine-washable. To wash your mop head, gather other cleaning rags and wash them with your mop head, adding bleach to the load to disinfect them.

7. Dog Beds And Toys

If you have a dog, then you know cleaning up hair and inevitable messes feels like a full-time job. While dog hair won’t disappear on its own, there are many ways a washing machine can make cleaning up your dog’s mess much easier.

or one, many dog beds, which quickly get dirty and filled with hair, are machine-washable. You can often put small dog beds and larger dog bed liners in the washing cycle to remove stains, smells, and hair. You can also put many dog toys, especially stuffed animals, in the washer. This helps keep them clean and free of smells and slobber.

8. Backpacks

Backpacks are a functional accessory that many people use daily, so they get dirty quickly. While spot cleaning and handwashing are options, there is no substitute for a washing machine when you need your backpack deep cleaned. Putting backpacks through a wash cycle removes more dirt, helping restore the accessory to its original color and condition. 

9. Yoga Mats

If you practice yoga regularly or use a yoga mat for stretching and meditation, you must clean it regularly. Public yoga classes aren’t always sanitary, and your mat, being on the floor, can quickly collect bacteria and contagious fungus.  Most yoga mats are machine-washable. You can run mats in a gentle cycle with cold water and a disinfecting solution to thoroughly clean and sanitize them.

10. Pot Holders

Pot holders are kitchen accessories that require cleaning and disinfecting, but some people don’t know that they are best cleaned in a washing machine, which is often the only way to remove food particles and stains. Washing machines are also a great way to ensure these items, which come in contact with food, are frequently sanitized.

11. Shower Liners

Decorative shower liners are a budget-friendly way to give your bathroom a facelift. While helpful, you must remember to clean them regularly. Putting the shower liner through the washer helps prevent mold and mildew buildup, which in turn keeps your bathroom cleaner.

12. Sports Equipment

If you or someone in your household plays team sports, then you know how funky the equipment can smell after a while. In addition to cleaning uniforms in the washer, you can also wash items like shin guards, pads, and other protective equipment. Putting these items in the machine prevents mold and bad smells from developing.

Tips To Remember Before Adding Household Items To Your Washer

1. Check The Care Tag

Before you put non-clothing items in the washer, check the care tag. While most items on the list are safe to put in the washing machine, there are exceptions. Just like with clothing, some materials are hand-wash only. Curtains with intricate details and fabrics, some rugs, and other items might get damaged or snagged during a wash cycle, so always read the care instructions.

2. Switch To The Gentle Cycle

Most washers have a gentle cycle for a reason. This setting is designed to wash all your delicate garments. It’s also the best setting for most household items. Rugs, sneakers, and other bulky items may damage the washer when set to a heavy-duty cycle and delicate items may be damaged if they aren’t washed in the gentle cycle. Even if you think the items can withstand a normal cycle, it’s always smart to be cautious the first time you wash them.

3. Don’t Overload The Washer

Your washing machine might have to work harder to clean bulky, oddly shaped household items. Don't overload your washer. Adding too many household items to a washing cycle can damage the washer and result in an expensive repair bill.

4. Use The Correct Water Temperature

Just like with your clothing, household objects should be washed in a specific water temperature. If you aren’t sure what temperature to wash these items at, opt for cold water, as it is less likely to shrink material than hot water.

5. Washer Safe Doesn’t Mean Dryer Safe

Lastly, you need to understand that just because the items on the list are safe for the washing machine, it doesn't mean you should put them in the dryer. Most items on this list should not be put in the dryer. The heat can warp and permanently damage some items. Instead, always allow your household items to air dry.

Summing Up Household Items You Didn’t Know You Can Put In The Washer

If you’re only using your washing machine to launder your clothing, then you aren’t using this machine to its full potential There are all sorts of household objects you probably didn’t know you can clean in your washer. Decorative items like rugs, drapes, and shower liners can often go in the washer, as can mop heads, pot holders, and reusable grocery bags. You can also clean many accessories in the washer, including backpacks, hats, and many types of sneakers. Always check the care tag before adding items to the machine, and use the gentle cycle and cold water to reduce the risk of damage.

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