Stop! 6 Items that Can’t go in the Washing Machine
Washing machines save the average homeowner time and energy and offer the convenience of being able to wash most fabric items. However, there are certain items you should avoid washing in order to protect the longevity of your washer. Read on for a list of six things that shouldn’t go in the washing machine.
Is your washing machine broken or not working as well as it used to? Diamond Appliance offers washing machine repair in St. Louis, Kansas City, and all surrounding communities. Contact us today with questions or to schedule your washer repair.
Embellished Clothing
Clothing with embellishments such as embroidery, printing, bows, cord/thread, or rhinestones should not be put in the washing machine. Embellishments are delicate items that often cannot withstand the force of a washing machine’s spin wash and spin dry cycles, and hot water can break down the adhesives used to keep embellishments in place. When these embellishments fall off the clothing inside the appliance, they can easily cause clogs in the washer’s drainage system, which impedes the appliance from operating effectively.
Clothing with embellishments can be hand-washed to maximize the useable life of the fabric. For tougher cleaning jobs, consider taking your embellished clothing to a professional dry cleaner.
Soft Knit Throw Blankets
That super-plush soft feeling of throw blankets is an attractive feature sought by countless homeowners across the United States. Although it may seem harmless to place throw blankets in the washing machine, washing them can lead to shrinking and loss of that signature soft feel.
When washing large single items such as throw blankets, homeowners often tend to use less water than they should. This can cause the blanket to bunch up when rotating around the appliance. If you hear a loud thumping sound coming from the washer, it is a sign that the water level chosen is too low. Over time, this can cause significant wear and tear on the inner drum of the appliance. In addition, loose threads can block the drainage system in the same way as embellished items mentioned previously.
Clothing Covered in Pet Hair
For pet owners, having their clothes covered in loose animal hair and fur is an unavoidable fact of daily life. To the extent possible, homeowners should use a lint roller on their clothes to remove excess pet hair before putting their clothes in the washer. Wet pet hair can clump and cause drainage issues similar to the embellished clothing and larger knit blankets mentioned above.
At this point, readers may begin to clue into something that experienced appliance repair specialists know all too well: clogged drainage systems are a major source of washing machine performance issues. By being aware of what materials are placed in the washing machine, homeowners can greatly extend the usable life of their appliance.
Memory Foam Pillows
When exposed to the soaking cycle of a washing machine, the open-celled structure of memory foam pillows will absorb water like a giant sponge. As these water-logged pillows enter the spin cycle, the forces generated are enough to tear these pillows apart. Instead of washing them in a washing machine, memory foam pillows should be spot cleaned to extend the usable life of both the pillow and the washing machine.
All-natural Fabric
Clothing or accessories made from all-natural fabrics such as wool or cashmere can shrink significantly in the washing machine. Fabrics such as velvet, silk, leather, and suede can lose their signature feel in just a single run through the wash. These types of fabrics are often more expensive than cotton or synthetic fabrics, so it is strongly suggested that these items be dry cleaned instead of machine washed.
Loose Change
Loose change and other solid items often find their way into pants pockets. When pants are washed and small coins or other items slip past the filter lining of the drum and into the drainage system, they can clog or otherwise damage the appliance. When homeowners hear the tell-tale clinking sound of coins in the washing machine, it is best to stop the cycle and remove the objects before they cause too much damage.
Need Professional Washing Machine Repair?
A major reason to avoid placing certain items in the washing machine is the damage they can cause to the appliance’s drainage system. While some repairs to the drainage system can be fixed using DIY methods, they often require the assistance of professional washing machine repair specialists.
For years, the professionals at Diamond Appliance have been helping residents in St. Louis and Kansas City with their appliance repair needs. Contact Diamond Appliance today for expert and affordable St. Louis washing machine repairs on Whirlpool, Amana, GE, Maytag, and other major brands.
