Stop scrubbing by hand. Your washing machine is doing half the work, and you’re barely using it.
It’s a dirty little secret of household chores: we under-utilize the very appliance designed to clean our clothes. There is a mountain of stuff in your home that can be tossed into the drum for a faster, easier, and arguably better clean.
I talked to cleaning experts—real ones who actually see this mess—to find out what belongs in the wash. The results? You’re probably ruining your gear by hand-washing it wrong, or not washing it at all.
Here are eight things you can clean in the washer right now.
Shower Curtain Liners
Hyacinth Tucker from Laundry Basket LLC has a simple take: if it’s synthetic, it goes in.
Polyester, nylon, or vinyl liners? Toss them in. Warm water is fine. A squirt of detergent does the job. But here is the catch: skip the fabric softener. It leaves a slick residue that ruins the waterproofing.
And absolutely do not put them in the dryer. Hang them up. Air dry only. Letting them tumble warps the plastic.
Backpacks and Gym Bags
Stinky gym bag? Please. Elizabeth Shields from Super Cleaning Service Louisville says the washer is your best friend. But you have to prep it.
Zip it all the way up. Buckle the straps so they don’t whip around and tear the fabric. If the bag has detachable straps, take them off.
“You can use a handheld vacuum cleaner to snoot out dust and debris inside the bag before tossin’ it in.”
Vacuum the gunk out first. Then, wash it.
Stuffed Animals
Everyone’s favorite teddy bear is a magnet for dust, drool, and mystery stains. Maria Mooney, a cleaning expert at Truly Free, says you can machine-wash them without destroying your child’s comfort object.
Use a laundry mesh bag. Or a pillowcase. Tied shut. This keeps the plastic eyes and noses from getting shredded in the agitation.
Shields adds a crucial step: check for tears first. Fix loose threads. Remove any detachable clothes and wash those separately. Use a mild, non-toxic detergent. And if you’re worried about soap residue, run an extra rinse.
Never use the dryer. Heat destroys the stuffing and ruins the shape. Air dry your plush friend.
Most Sneakers
You’ve probably tried washing sneakers in a bucket of soapy water. Stop.
If your shoes are canvas, nylon, cotton, or polyester—yes, including many common athletic shoes—they can take the gentle cycle. Tucker recommends cold water. Gentle spin.
Take the laces off. Remove the insoles if you can. Wash them separately.
Afterward, air dry overnight. Do not force them into the dryer. Heat shrinks canvas and warps glue.
Certain Pillows
We throw pillows into the washer more than we should. But there’s a hard line here.
Synthetic, down, and feather fills? They’re safe. Use cool water. Mild detergent. Dry on low heat. You might need a tennis ball in the dryer to fluff them back up.
But memory foam? Latex? No. These materials break apart in the water. They fall into sludge. Wash them by hand only.
Oven Mitts
Cotton or polyester oven mitts collect more than just grease. They collect bacteria from handling raw meat, eggs, and other questionable kitchen tasks.
Wash them on a gentle cycle with warm water. Mild detergent. And again—air dry.
Check the care tag, obviously. But if it’s fabric, the washer handles the grime better than a rag ever could.
Baseball Caps
A crisp cap changes your entire look. But sweat stains ruin them.
If your cap is cotton or polyester, the washer is safe. Shields says to spot-treat stains with a little detergent or stain remover before washing. Rub it in gently with your fingers or a soft brush.
Let the soap sit for a few minutes. Then, put it in a mesh laundry bag. Wash alone. Or with similar colors. Avoid dye transfer. Cold water.
If it’s wool? Or has a cardboard brim? Hand wash only. The machine will shrink or warp it.
Reusable Mop Heads
This one depends on the brand. Shields says many microfiber mop heads are washable.
Shake it off outside first. If it’s really dirty, dunk it in hot water to loosen the grime before loading it. Wash it alone. No towels. No socks.
Use a heavy-duty or sanitary cycle. Hot water is key here. Add a cup of white vinegar or half a capful of baking soda for extra cleaning power.
Skip the fabric softener. It clogs the fibers and makes them less absorbent. Skip the bleach, too. It breaks down the microfiber over time.
Hang to air dry completely. If you leave it damp in the closet, you’re growing mold and bacteria. That’s the opposite of clean.
Your washer is a tool. Use it for more than just shirts. But respect the fabric. Know what can take the heat. And for the love of everything clean, let things air dry when they need it.
