Washing Machine Mistakes: Textiles That Can Damage Your Laundry and Appliance

Many households do their laundry on autopilot: everything goes in together, using the standard cycle and the highest spin speed. It sounds efficient and seems convenient – until the washing machine suddenly starts ‘walking’, the noise becomes ominously dull, or an expensive jumper emerges from the drum two sizes smaller. In situations like these, the appliance itself is rarely faulty; the usual cause is the wrong type of textile on the wrong cycle.

Why certain textiles put the washing machine drum under real strain

A washing machine drum is not an armoured container, but a metal basket that is repeatedly accelerated and slowed down. Anything hard, heavy or saturated with water behaves like a small hammer inside it. During every spin cycle, these ‘hammers’ strike the same areas, placing greater strain on the bearings and making the machine more likely to become unbalanced.

Hard components, heavy soles, delicate fibres and fabrics that retain large amounts of water are particularly troublesome – they can damage both the laundry and the washing machine.

There is another issue, too: some textiles simply cannot withstand standard treatment. They felt, snag, lose their shape and no longer perform as intended. You should take these three warning signs seriously:

• unusually loud or harsh banging sounds during washing or spinning
• a spin cycle that seems to be ‘struggling’ or stops altogether
• laundry that comes out of the drum noticeably misshapen, shrunken or stretched

These symptoms often have the same underlying cause: items that should never be put on a normal cycle have ended up there out of habit.

Special case 1: Bras – small items, major damage

Bras may look harmless, but they are not always safe for the washing machine. Styles with underwires and hooks, in particular, can cause problems in two ways. Their shape can be ruined, while the drum may also suffer damage.

Hooks readily catch on lace, tights or T-shirts. This creates pulling forces that can stretch or tear both the bra material and other garments. Underwires are even more problematic: they can bend, work their way out through a seam and then spin around inside like small metal rods.

Metal underwires in bras can not only ruin their shape but, in the worst case, scratch the drum or become lodged in the gap between the drum and the tub.

How to protect bras and your washing machine

• Always fasten bra hooks and place bras in a laundry bag.
• Select a delicates or hand-wash cycle with a low spin speed.
• Avoid a high-speed spin; instead, remove bras while they are still slightly damp.
• Never tumble-dry them; dry them flat or laid over a towel.

If you own especially delicate lingerie, hand-washing is genuinely the best option. It takes only a few minutes, yet can quickly save the cost of a replacement bra – while reducing the chance of a bent underwire damaging the washing machine.

Special case 2: Shoes – heavy, hard and risky

The familiar scenario is this: trainers smell, so they are put straight into the washing machine. They may come out looking clean, but from a technical perspective, this is a serious stress test. Shoes have heavy, hard soles, which can slam unchecked against the drum wall during spinning.

The result can be severe vibrations, loud knocking and, in some cases, a washing machine that moves across the floor. Over time, bearings, suspension and the motor are subjected to far more strain than with ordinary laundry. The shoes themselves rarely cope well either: glued sections can come apart, cushioning components can shift, and plastics may harden if the water is too warm.

When shoes can go in the washing machine – and how

Shoes should only go in the washing machine in exceptional cases – and never without protection.

If there is genuinely no alternative, treat them as gently as possible:

• Put shoes in a thick laundry bag or an old pillowcase.
• Wash 2–3 large towels alongside them to cushion the impacts.
• Choose a cold or, at most, lukewarm cycle.
• Reduce the spin speed substantially.

Traditional hand-cleaning is kinder: wash removable insoles and laces separately, clean the upper with a brush and mild soapy water, then allow everything to air-dry slowly. Keep shoes away from radiators and strong sunlight so that they do not warp.

Special case 3: Wool – a standard cycle is a guarantee of tears

Wool jumpers, cardigans and scarves are all extremely sensitive to heat and vigorous movement. On a normal cotton cycle, the fibres felt, the surface becomes dull, the garment shrinks and loses its elasticity. The well-known effect of turning an adult jumper into a child-sized one is not a myth, but simple physics.

Wool tolerates only low temperatures, even less friction – and no high-speed spin cycle at all.

Keeping wool soft and in shape

Anyone who values their knitwear should follow a few basic rules:

• Always use a cold or dedicated wool cycle.
• Use a suitable wool detergent rather than a standard laundry detergent.
• Spin only at the lowest setting, or preferably let the machine drain briefly without a full spin.
• Never wring or twist wet wool.
• Reshape items for drying and lay them flat on a towel.

The fabric will repay the care with a longer lifespan, less pilling and the same comfortable feel it had when new. For complete peace of mind, hand-wash particularly valuable pieces briefly in lukewarm water, without vigorous rubbing.

Special case 4: Treated and water-repellent fabrics

Technical jackets, waterproof trousers, outdoor blankets and coated shower curtains present a different risk. They repel water from the outside, yet can trap it within the fabric or in folded sections. This can create a genuine pocket of water in one part of the load.

During spinning, this mass of water acts like a heavy counterweight. Rather than rotating evenly, the drum starts to wobble. The washing machine then attempts to correct itself and may, in the worst case, abandon the spin cycle. In the long term, this constant unbalanced operation harms the entire system.

Water-repellent textiles can suddenly shift the weight during the spin cycle – throwing the washing machine off balance.

How to wash technical clothing correctly

• Wash only a few items at a time and do not overfill the drum.
• Use a gentle spin at a moderate speed.
• Restore the water-repellent treatment regularly after washing.
• Do not use fabric conditioner, as it damages functional layers.

This helps rain jackets remain waterproof, keeps the washing machine running more quietly and allows expensive outdoor clothing to retain its performance.

How to spot a problematic wash cycle early

A great deal of damage develops gradually. However, anyone who pays a little attention to their washing machine while it runs can take action in time. Look out for:

• sudden loud banging during spinning
• a drum that visibly shakes more than usual
• cycles that remain stuck in the spinning stage for an unusually long time

When this happens, simply stopping the machine, redistributing the laundry, or removing particularly heavy items and washing them separately can often help. This takes a considerable load off the mechanism.

Small changes, major results

In day-to-day life, a few adjustments are usually enough: keeping an extra laundry bag in the cupboard, deliberately selecting the wool cycle, or deciding to clean trainers briefly with a brush after all. This greatly reduces the risk of expensive repairs, while favourite items last longer.

A consistent check before pressing start is useful: are there metal parts, hard soles, delicate fibres or coated fabrics in the load? If so, it is worth choosing another setting, adding protection such as a laundry bag – or using the sink rather than the washing machine in the first place.