5 Things You Can Safely Clean In Your Washing Machine

It’s Time To Consider Using Your Washing Machine To Clean These Things

Do you use your washing machine and not think about what other household items you can also clean? It might surprise you that your washer can do much more to help you around the house. And keep things sanitized and clean without worrying about damage.

Sometimes, we feel stuck in a box about what our machines can safely wash, but there’s no need to worry if you follow a few simple steps.

Whether you have a twin tub washing machine or a fully automatic unit, one thing is sure: a washing machine is a time-saving and load-reducing appliance. After all, not only does it make washing laundry more convenient, but it also offers a hassle-free way to clean many other household items.

If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s high time you maximize your washing machine and use it for more than just washing your clothes and other dirty laundry. It’s possible to easily clean many other everyday home items by simply running a load with them in your machine. To help you, here are a few examples of home items that can you can clean using your washing machine.

1 – Plush Toys

Stuffed animals, like teddy bears and bunnies, look cute and huggable, but they usually lose their charm if they smell. Unfortunately, these impurities on a child’s toy can also harm their health. Fortunately, most plush toys are machine washable. First, check if the care tag says it’s safe to throw your plushies in the washer, then follow these tips to clean stuffed animals in the washing machine successfully.

• Remove accessories and loose parts from the toy before washing it to prevent damage.
• Place the stuffed toys in a large mesh bag or a pillowcase to protect delicate parts. You can also throw one or two towels with the load for extra padding and protection.
• Wash the toys on a gentle cycle using cold water and mild detergent.
• If you choose to dry the stuffed animals in the dryer, consider using the no- or low-heat option to prevent burning. You can also air-dry the toys, but dry them thoroughly.

2 – Pillows

If you only sun your pillows and change the pillowcases, you’re probably not doing enough to protect your health. Because we use them nightly and in close contact with the human body, pillows typically contain many fungi. Without proper cleaning, these microbes can cause respiratory issues.

Furthermore, if you don’t want to put your health at risk, the solution is simple: wash your foam, fiberfill, or synthetic pillows in the washer at least twice a year in your washing machine to keep them clean.

To guide you in this process, consider the pointers below:

• Remove the pillowcases and load two pillows to keep the machine balanced.
• Use a small amount of detergent to avoid leaving residue, and wash the pillows using a gentle cycle with warm water.
• Dry the pillows on low or medium heat with a few dryer balls to make them extra-fluffy.

3 – Clean Mop Heads In Your Washing Machine

Using a mop to keep floors free from dirt and dust is easy. However, cleaning your mop heads become a pain when your mop heads get dirty. Perhaps that’s why some people buy a new mop head rather than hand-wash a used one, but this practice is costly and wasteful. So instead, let your washing machine handle the tedious job of removing dirt and gunk from your reusable mop head. Here’s all you need to do:

• Remove any large food or dirt particles from the mop fibers and discard them. Then put the mop head inside a laundry bag.
• Fill the washing machine with hot water and detergent and let the mop head soak for half an hour.
• Wash the mop head using a gentle cycle, skip the dryer, and hang it to dry.

4 – Shower Curtains

Did you know you can wash most fabric and plastic shower curtains in the washing machine? So there’s no need to waste your time or energy scrubbing them by hand. To clean your dingy shower curtains in the washer, make sure to keep the following things in mind:

• Add one or two fluffy towels in the washer to help scrub the shower curtain and prevent it from sticking, wrinkling, and getting torn.
• Use a small amount of detergent and a cup of baking soda in the wash to eliminate better dirt, soap scum, and other sticky elements from the shower curtain.
• Use a gentle cycle and the highest water level when washing.
• Add a half-cup to one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to disinfect and remove any residual odor.

5 – Reusable Bags

You most likely have several reusable fabric grocery bags at home. While these bags are great for the environment, not washing them can lead to food cross-contamination and potentially endanger your health.

Moreover, If you postpone this task, just put them in a laundry bag and toss them into the washer to complete this task. Because these items feature cloth materials, you can treat them like regular laundry. And add them to your weekly load to keep them clean.

Always Follow Manufacturer Guidelines When Using Your Washing Machine

Of course, you can use your washing machine to clean many of your home items. For example, you can clean patio chair cushions, car mats, bathmats, hair scrunchies, ties, curtains, sneakers, baseball hats, UGG boots, and more. However, always follow manufacturer guidelines when cleaning any item.

Cleaning home items doesn’t always have to be tedious and time-consuming. With the help of your reliable washing machine, you can conveniently keep many of your things clean and germ-free. Check the care labels or do research online to determine if the item is machine washable. With such an easy way to wash different home items, you can enjoy a cleaner home environment with barely any effort.

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