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2. Delicate Items (Lingerie, Silk, Lace)
Lingerie, silk blouses, and delicate lace pieces need a little extra care to stay intact.
- Why You Shouldn’t: The roughness of the washing machine can easily damage delicate fabrics. Silk and lace can lose their softness, shape, or tear when exposed to strong agitation.
- What to Do Instead: Hand wash these items or place them in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle cycle. Always air dry delicate fabrics.
3. Zippered Items (Jackets, Bags, etc.)
Items like jackets, backpacks, or anything with zippers may seem safe for the wash, but the zippers themselves can do some damage.
- Why You Shouldn’t: Zippers can get caught on other clothes or in the washing machine, causing tears and fabric snags. Plus, they can scratch up the inside of the drum.
- What to Do Instead: Close all zippers before washing or turn the items inside out to minimize the risk of damage.
4. Items with Excessive Pet Hair
If your pet sheds, you’ve probably noticed a lot of hair on their bed or blanket. It can be tempting to toss these into the wash, but here’s why you should reconsider.
- Why You Shouldn’t: Pet hair can clog your washing machine’s filter and cause drainage issues. It can also get stuck on your other clothes, making them look extra fuzzy.
- What to Do Instead: Use a lint roller or vacuum the item before washing, or run a “rinse” cycle to remove excess pet hair before washing. Alternatively, use a special pet hair remover bag.
5. Items with Heavy Stains or Oil
Heavy stains, particularly from oil, grease, or ink, are hard to remove with just detergent.
- Why You Shouldn’t: These stains can set in deeper if not treated properly, making it harder to remove them after the wash. In some cases, they can transfer to other clothes in the load.
- What to Do Instead: Treat these stains with a prewash stain remover or soak them in hot water with detergent before washing. Avoid putting them in the washing machine until the stain is fully addressed.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Overload the Washer!
While not a specific item, overloading the washing machine can put stress on both your clothes and the machine itself. Make sure to leave enough room for clothes to move around freely.
By keeping these five items out of your washing machine, you’ll extend the life of both your clothes and your washer. It’s all about treating your laundry with care to keep everything looking fresh and lasting longer!
Let me know if you need any changes to the article!
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