Managing a home requires managing daily decisions: How can I declutter the kitchen counter? Should tomatoes be refrigerated? What if I accidentally shrink my favorite shirt?
Laundry choices, in particular, can be perplexing, as mistakes might ruin a perfectly good garment or damage the machine. The crucial laundry dilemma is deciding which items can be safely tossed into the washing machine.
Here are 15 commonly overlooked items that can safely go into the washer.
1. Pet Beds and Collars
You can tell your furry friends’ beds and collars are ready for cleaning when they start to announce their presence with a smell. Pet beds accumulate dirt, oils, and even fleas.
Some people just toss them and get new ones, but did you know most pet beds and collars are machine washable? Use a pet-safe detergent and wash the bed on a gentle cycle with cold water. The same goes for collars—just make sure to remove any tags or accessories before washing.
2. Most Pillows
Most pillows can—and should—be washed. After many nights, your pillow is a mixture of sweat, oils, and allergens. To keep them fresh and fluffy, wash them in pairs to balance the load. Washers are safe for down, feather, cotton, and polyester-filled pillows—essentially everything except memory foam.
After washing, tumble dry your pillows on low heat with a couple of clean tennis balls to help fluff them back up. Make sure they are completely dry to prevent mold and mildew from forming.
3. Electric Blankets
Electric blankets can also be washed in the machine, but you must be extra cautious. Disconnect the power cord and control unit first, and read the care label before washing.
Avoid fabric softeners or bleach, as these can damage the heating elements. After washing, air-dry the blanket completely before plugging it back in.
4. Reusable Shopping Bags
Reusable shopping bags are a fantastic eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags. However, because they carry so much unwashed produce and other leaking groceries, they can harbor germs and bacteria. Fortunately, most fabric and insulated bags can be machine-washed.
Turn the bags inside out before putting them in the machine. Line-dry them to avoid any shrinkage or damage to the insulation.
5. Soft Toys
Kids’ favorite plush companions can get pretty grubby over time. To protect them during the wash cycle, place the soft toys in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase.
Because of the stuffing, the toys will take longer to dry completely. Hang them outside or in an airy room to keep them from getting moldy. If the toy has any glued-on parts, such as the eyes, spot-cleaning may be a safer option.
6. Reusable Face Masks
Reusable face masks have become a staple in some people’s lives, and some people are still use them when they have the flu or when travelling. Because they’re basically meant to trap germs, they need regular cleaning. Wash them in a mesh laundry bag using a gentle cycle with warm water.
Don’t use bleach or fabric softeners, which can degrade the mask’s material. Confirm they are completely dry before wearing them again.
7. Shower Curtains
Research shows shower curtains can have 60 times more germs than a toilet seat. With all the soap suds splashing on them, they soon amass soap scum, mildew, grime and a few hundred germs.
Luckily for everyone (except the germs), both fabric and plastic shower curtains can usually be machine-washed. For plastic liners, add a couple of older towels to the wash to help scrub off any buildup.
8. Car Seat and Stroller Covers
As with anything designated for use by a small person with still-developing hand-mouth control, car seats and stroller covers can quickly become dirty with spills and crumbs.
Carefully remove the covers and toss them in the machine when they need to be washed. Air dry them to prevent any shrinking or damage to the fabric. Don’t reattach them to the car seat or pram until you are sure they’re completely dry.
9. Canvas Shoes
Canvas shoes are durable and can usually handle a trip through the washing machine. Before washing, remove the laces and insoles. Place the shoes in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase to protect them.
If needed, you can stuff the shoes with old towels or shirts to help them retain their shape after the wash. Lay them out in the open to dry completely before wearing them.
10. Hair Bands and Ties
Hair ties and hair bands are expert collectors of oils, sweat, and product residue. Their tiny size doesn’t make washing them easy, but you can throw them into a mesh laundry bag and wash them in your machine.
If you put them in the dryer, the rubber may stretch and become damaged. The best method is to air dry them.
11. Rugs
Your rugs are great for keeping your feet warm and the floor soft, but do you know who else loves them? Dust, particles, and other allergens. The fact that they get heavy when wet doesn’t make washing them easy; it’s great, then, that they can be machine-washed (check the cleaning instructions first).
Use cold water to avoid any shrinkage or damage to the fibers, and hang them up outside or in a well-ventilated room to dry. If your rug has a rubber backing, it’s best not to machine wash it, as the heat and agitation can cause the backing to crack and deteriorate.
12. Mop Heads
How do you clean the cleaning items? Mop heads can get filthy after cleaning your floors, and if they stay dirty too long, they smell. Mop heads can be washed in a machine, allowing for easy maintenance to keep them clean and efficient.
Remove the mop head and wash it gently. Use warm water and bleach to help kill all those stinky germs.
13. Backpacks and Gym Bags
Backpacks, especially school-going ones and gym bags, can harbor bacteria and odors from daily use. Their stiffer fabric can make hand washing difficult. Instead of using a brush that may ruin the fabric, throw them in the washing machine for a quick wash.
Empty the bag and remove any detachable parts before washing. Drying it in the dryer may ruin its shape, so consider what’s best for yours.
14. Oven Mittens
Oven mittens are great for keeping your hands safe from all the heat, but they can also collect stains and odors from all the lasagna and fried fish. The grease doesn’t easily come off, and they’re also a tad too thick for scrubbing through.
Check the care label for specific instructions before putting them in the washing machine.
15. Yoga Mats
All that sweating is great for your health and mood, but your yoga mats suffer. After regular use, they can get sweaty, dirty, and very stinky.
Most yoga mats are safe to use in the washing machine. Take a look at the care instructions before washing, and ensure they’re completely dry before you fold them up again.
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I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
