I’m one of those people who will put just about anything in the washing machine. Clothes, towels, bedding, dog beds, you name it – it’s going in the washer. Although I’ve been lucky up until this point, I think it’s time to be a little more careful. This includes when throwing certain items in the wash, such as the multiple bath mats we have in our home.
The main function of a bath mat is to absorb water. So, it’s not surprising that they can hold a ton of water. For this reason, you should keep bath mats out of your washing machine. The high quantities of water they absorb make them extremely heavy when sopping wet. This can damage the inside of your washing machine.
According to Family Handyman, any heavy, water-logged item you put in your washing machine can ruin its drain motor and spin basket bearing. This includes bath mats, duvets, comforters, sleeping bags, and dog beds. These are pretty pricey repairs. If your washing machine is too badly damaged, you may even need to purchase a whole new machine.
Are you guilty of putting these sorts of items in your washing machine in the past? Then, check the space between your machine’s plastic tub and metal spin basket. If there seems to be more than 1/8″ of space between the two, it may need to be adjusted. Also, if you hear heavy clunking when you spin the basket by hand or during the spin cycle, your machine likely needs serious repair.
So, instead of throwing your bath mats and other heavy items in your personal washing machine, visit a laundromat with industrial-strength machines. This will protect your own machine. It will also save you from spending a substantial amount of money on repairs or a new washing machine down the road!
