The British consumer group Which? lists items you should never machine-wash. And it’s not just about what to wash—it’s also about how often, since people make plenty of mistakes.
1. Clothes with sequins, beads, lace, or fringe
Those decorations usually fall apart under high heat and the drum’s fast spin. This isn’t only about decorations—it applies to delicate clothing in general.
Hot water breaks down glue, and items like sequins can damage the drum or the door glass because they spin at high speed, Which? warns.
2. Ties and suits — skip the machine wash
Some washing-machine users — especially men — are tempted to toss a dirty tie into the drum. Which? says that’s absolutely off-limits.
Ties shrink and get damaged easily, the experts explain. And not just ties — the suit itself should go to the dry cleaner. If dry cleaning isn’t an option, check the care label for guidance.
Experts also advise reading the care label carefully. If the instructions are unclear for any reason, err on the side of caution.
Instead of washing an item with a faded care label, assume you shouldn’t use the washing machine this time, Which? says.
3. Swimsuits
The next ban applies to swimsuits. The group explains that even if a swimsuit is made of cotton or polyester, the lining that gives it shape can get damaged in the machine.
4. Foam pillows and delicate materials like fur, leather, and velvet
Polyurethane foam pillows are very delicate and tear easily. They, along with items made of fur, leather, suede, velvet, or viscose, should not go in the washing machine. They need dry cleaning.
5. Workwear with fire‑retardant coating
If you wear workwear, there’s always the temptation to toss it in the drum for a quick wash. But washing work clothes in the machine can be dangerous. They may have a fire‑retardant coating that the washing machine can strip away, the Daily Mail reports.
6. Soft toys and stuffed animals
Soft toys are a big question. Which? recommends: “Always read the label; most manufacturers say their toys should be hand washed only.”
7. Heavy items, and anything with keys or coins in the pockets
A few more practical tips. Never load heavy objects into the washing machine; they can break the machine. Before machine‑washing clothes, always make sure there are no keys, coins, or metal jewelry left in the pockets. They can damage the drum and the door glass, or end up in the drainage system.
Things you can safely wash in the machine even if you were unsure
Which? experts also listed several items you can put in the washing machine, even though many people still aren’t sure about them.
Instead of scrubbing shower curtains by hand, take them off the rod and wash them in the machine. “Choose the delicate or hand‑wash cycle, because they have the lowest spin speeds,” Which? explains. It’s also helpful to add a couple of large towels with the curtains. There’s no need to use a special detergent.
You can safely machine‑wash exercise mats, fabric backpacks, hats that won’t lose their shape, ribbons, hair ties, and sleep masks.
You can add some cleaning supplies to that list. “Many cleaning products, including mop heads and microfiber cloths, are now labeled as machine‑washable. That’s great news because you won’t have to replace them as often,” experts say.
Again, it’s not just about what to wash but how often—there are plenty of common mistakes. Check Which? for guidance.
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