Your washing machine is a reliable household workhorse—until it suddenly stops working. Many breakdowns aren’t due to mechanical faults or poor design, but rather to incorrect usage. One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is washing items that are not machine-friendly. These errors can cause severe damage to both your laundry and the appliance itself. In this article, we’ll explore what items you should never put in your washing machine and why they pose such a risk. This simple knowledge can save you the headache of a broken washer—and a costly repair bill.

1. Rubber Mats

Rubber-backed mats or rubber materials in general are not suited for machine washing. While they may seem sturdy and washable, rubber is prone to cracking and breaking down under the heat and tumbling motion inside a washer. When rubber mats begin to disintegrate, they can clog the machine’s drainage system. Pieces of rubber may also wrap around internal components like the drum or pump, leading to serious mechanical failures. Additionally, rubber can trap water inside the washer if not properly dried, causing mold buildup and bad odors. Tip: Clean rubber mats manually with warm water and mild detergent. Hang them to dry.

2. Items with Metal Inserts

Think twice before tossing items with metal inserts into your machine. This includes bras with underwire, garments with metallic buttons, belts with buckles, or shoes with metal decorations. Metal inserts can scratch the drum, break during spin cycles, and damage other clothing. Worse still, broken metal pieces can wedge themselves into the washer’s drum or pump, leading to malfunction. Underwire from bras, for example, is a frequent culprit behind damaged washing machine drums and leaking tubs. Tip: Wash delicate items like bras in a mesh bag—or better yet, hand wash them.

3. Heavy Items That Cause Imbalance

Washing heavy items—such as large comforters, weighted blankets, or thick rugs—can throw your washing machine off balance. When a load is too heavy or unevenly distributed, the drum spins out of sync, potentially causing internal parts to wear out prematurely or even break. Repeated imbalance can destroy the suspension system, damage the motor, or crack the drum. Worse, during the high-speed spin cycle, an unbalanced machine can shake violently, move across the room, or produce loud banging sounds, which is not only damaging to the appliance but also hazardous in your home. Tip: Check your washer’s manual for weight capacity and wash heavy items separately or at a laundromat with industrial machines designed for large loads.

4. Waterproof or Water-Resistant Items

Items such as raincoats, shower curtains, and mattress covers often come with a waterproof coating. These items can trap water during the cycle, preventing even distribution and creating a balloon effect. As a result, your machine becomes unbalanced or even fails to drain correctly. Worse, waterproof items can create pressure pockets that stress the drum and pump. This can lead to drainage issues or strain the motor, requiring costly repairs. Tip: Use specialty cycles if your machine offers one for waterproof items or wash them by hand.

5. Pet Hair-Covered Items

Clothes or bedding covered in pet hair may not seem dangerous to your washer, but over time, they can clog filters, block drains, and even interfere with the pump. Pet hair tends to clump when wet, making it more difficult to rinse out of your machine. If your machine starts draining slowly, emits a foul odor, or stops mid-cycle, accumulated hair might be to blame. Tip: Brush off as much hair as possible before washing. Consider using a lint roller or running items through a brief dryer cycle on low heat to loosen hair before washing.

6. Coins and Keys

While not clothing, it’s worth mentioning that items left in pockets—like coins, keys, or even screws—can cause serious internal damage. These metal objects may scratch the drum, shatter the glass door, or lodge in the drain pump, leading to immediate and expensive damage. Tip: Always double-check all pockets before placing items in the washer.

Protect Your Washer, Save on Repairs

Your washing machine isn’t built to clean everything. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you’ll extend its lifespan and prevent costly breakdowns. Sometimes, even one wrong load can result in damage that stops your machine from working correctly. If you’ve already made one of these mistakes—or if your washing machine is acting up—don’t wait for a small issue to become a big problem. Call San Diego Appliance Repair Service today. Our expert technicians are ready to diagnose and fix any problem, ensuring your appliances stay in peak condition.   Contact us (619) 719-5005   [email protected]