7 Things You Should Never Put in the Washing Machine

The washing machine is one of the most useful appliances in any home. We rely on it to save time, effort, and energy. But despite how powerful and convenient it is, not everything belongs inside a washing machine. Some items can be permanently damaged, while others can actually damage the machine itself—leading to costly repairs or safety risks.

Many people assume that if something is “washable,” it’s safe to toss it into the machine. That assumption is exactly where things go wrong. Certain fabrics, materials, and objects simply aren’t built to handle the agitation, heat, and spin cycle of modern washers.

Here are 7 things you should never put in the washing machine, no matter how tempting it may be.

1. Shoes Made of Leather or Suede

Sneakers might survive a gentle wash, but leather and suede shoes absolutely won’t.

The washing machine strips natural oils from leather, causing it to crack, warp, or shrink. Suede, on the other hand, becomes stiff, discolored, and permanently rough after exposure to water and agitation.

What can go wrong:

Cracked or misshapen leather

Stiff, ruined suede texture

Glue breakdown causing soles to detach

What to do instead:

Clean leather and suede shoes by hand using a damp cloth and a cleaner specifically designed for those materials.

2. Memory Foam Items

Memory foam pillows, mattress toppers, and seat cushions should never go in the washing machine.

Memory foam absorbs water like a sponge and becomes extremely heavy. The spinning motion can tear it apart internally, even if it looks fine on the outside afterward.

What can go wrong:

Foam breaks down internally

Item loses shape and support

Machine strain from excessive weight

What to do instead:

Spot-clean memory foam with mild soap and water, then allow it to air-dry completely.

3. Delicate Bras With Underwire

Bras—especially underwire bras—are one of the biggest enemies of washing machines.

The spinning action can bend underwires, distort cups, and loosen elastic. Worse, broken underwires can slip out and get lodged inside the drum or pump, causing serious mechanical damage.

What can go wrong:

Bent or snapped underwires

Stretched bands and straps

Internal damage to the washer

What to do instead:

Hand-wash bras or place them in a rigid lingerie bag and use a delicate cycle—though hand-washing is always safest.

4. Anything Covered in Pet Hair (Without Prep)

Pet blankets, beds, and heavily fur-covered items should never go straight into the washer.

Excess pet hair doesn’t dissolve or wash away—it clumps together and sticks to the drum, hoses, and filters, eventually clogging the machine.

What can go wrong:

Clogged drains and filters

Poor wash performance

Long-term machine damage

What to do instead:

Remove as much pet hair as possible first using a lint roller, rubber brush, or vacuum before washing.

5. Items With Flammable Stains

Clothes soaked with gasoline, motor oil, paint thinner, or cooking grease should never be washed in a machine.

Even after a rinse, flammable residues can remain in the fabric—and inside the washer—creating a serious fire hazard, especially during high-heat cycles.

What can go wrong:

Fire risk

Chemical residue buildup

Washer contamination

What to do instead:

Soak these items separately, wash by hand outdoors if possible, or discard them if the stain is severe.

6. Heavy Rugs or Rubber-Backed Mats

Thick rugs and rubber-backed mats may fit inside the drum, but that doesn’t mean they belong there.

When wet, these items become extremely heavy and unbalanced, which can cause violent shaking during the spin cycle.

What can go wrong:

Drum imbalance

Broken suspension or bearings

Torn rubber backing

What to do instead:

Wash small rugs at a laundromat with industrial machines, or clean them outdoors with a hose and mild detergent.

7. Anything With Loose Metal or Decorations

Clothing with sequins, beads, zippers, studs, or metal embellishments is risky territory.

Loose metal pieces can break off during washing, scratching the drum or getting trapped in the machine’s internal components.

What can go wrong:

Torn clothing

Scratched washer drum

Jammed or damaged pump

What to do instead:

Turn items inside out, hand-wash them, or use a protective laundry bag—if the care label allows machine washing at all.