While many fabrics are safe for machine washing, certain garments and materials should be kept out of the washing machine due to their delicate nature, risk of damage, or potential to harm the appliance.
Garments and Fabrics Not Suitable for Machine Washing
Based on expert advice, several types of clothing and fabrics are best hand-washed or dry-cleaned to ensure their longevity and prevent damage. This is particularly true for items that are prone to shrinking, tearing, or have delicate embellishments.
Here’s a breakdown of garments and fabrics that typically should not be washed in a machine:
| Item | Reason to Avoid Machine Washing |
|---|---|
| Suits | Many suits are crafted from high-quality fabrics that are highly susceptible to shrinking or tearing, even when washed on a delicate cycle. As noted by Stapf, it's safer to opt for professional dry cleaning to maintain their structure and integrity. |
| Embellished Garments | Clothes adorned with sequins, beads, delicate embroidery, or other embellishments are easily damaged in a washing machine. The decorations can come loose, break, or snag other items, and may even cause damage to the machine itself. |
| Clothes with Zippers and Buttons | While not always strictly forbidden, garments with exposed zippers and buttons require caution. Zippers can snag other items in the load, potentially causing tears, and buttons can come loose or scratch the washer's drum. It's often recommended to zip up zippers and turn such garments inside out, or use a mesh laundry bag. |
| Swimsuits | The elastic fibers critical for a swimsuit's shape and fit can degrade rapidly when exposed to the harsh agitation and high temperatures of a washing machine. Hand-washing in cold water helps preserve elasticity and extend the swimsuit's lifespan. |
| Baby Socks | Their extremely small size makes baby socks prone to getting lost in the machine's nooks and crannies or even sucked into the drain pump, potentially causing blockages or issues with the appliance. Using a mesh laundry bag can mitigate this risk. |
| Bras | Machine washing can severely damage bras, especially those with underwires. The agitation can warp the underwire (causing it to poke through), stretch out elastic, and crush the cups, leading to a loss of shape and support. A detached underwire can also cause significant damage to the washing machine. |
| Throw Blankets | Depending on their material and size, throw blankets can become excessively heavy when saturated with water. This can unbalance the washing machine, leading to loud thumping, potential damage to the machine's suspension system, or even motor strain. |
Important Washing Machine Considerations
Beyond specific fabrics and garments, other factors related to the washing process itself should be avoided to protect your clothes and your appliance.
- Excessive Detergent: Using too much detergent does not make clothes cleaner; instead, it can leave a residue on fabrics, trap dirt, attract more dirt in subsequent uses, and even lead to mold buildup inside your washing machine, impacting its performance and lifespan.
