The American House

  • Home
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Tips & Tricks

9 Things That Damage Your Washing Machine

May 6, 2022 · Tips & Tricks
washing machine
Photo by June Marie Sobrito from Shutterstock

If you guess the temperature, your clothes might shrink

Clothes might also end up damaged if you wash them at the wrong temperature in your washing machine. When it’s manufactured, cotton gets a bit stretched, so it will shrink a little after the first wash. However, if you get the wrong water temperature, you might end up with shrunken clothes.

Skipping service washes makes it smelly

The best washing machines will wash your clothes for many years. But did you know that the machine itself has to be cleaned once in a while?

Over time, inside your washing machine might gather the leftover dirt and mold, which will eventually build up and lead to your machine smelling bad.

These situations might rapidly increase, as many of us are washing now at lower temperatures with non-biological detergents. In order to keep your machine clean and odor-free, make sure you run a service wash at 90°C at least once a month.

You can also do this with detergent, a special washing machine cleaner, or something natural like white vinegar.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

8 responses to “9 Things That Damage Your Washing Machine”

  1. Helen says:
    September 30, 2022 at 8:56 pm

    certainly fail to see how mixing white and colored laundry in the same load would in any way damage a clothes washing machine…..
    as you point out, could turn the whites grey, but as for damaging the machine in some way—-makes no sense

    Log in to Reply
  2. Carol says:
    November 18, 2022 at 2:47 pm

    Some of us are not rich enough to have a new washing machine. I am still using 1 from 1974 and it works just fine I don’t need all those fancy buttons and programs. This machine has never failed to get my laundry clean!

    Log in to Reply
    • B A Rotini says:
      December 11, 2022 at 6:02 pm

      Amen, sister! Not everyone in this country is of the super-consumer class! 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  3. Audrey Spaulding says:
    December 10, 2022 at 3:30 pm

    Depends on a front loader or a top loader. I have a top loader and I have never found it to have to
    be cleaned out. My top loader has a cycle to clean the machine. Like you all said. It seems the
    manufacturer has some opinions that don’t fit the narrative that they are pointing out. One size doesn’t fit all.

    Log in to Reply
  4. Tiffany Catelliee says:
    December 10, 2022 at 6:02 pm

    Where did they say that mixing colors & whites will ruin your washer? They didn’t say that did they? I only saw read about how mixing colors with whites can change the colors of your clothes (which is a given) -not damage your washer. I didn’t even see where they said it would damage your washer, so why would you sat that?

    Log in to Reply
    • Sheila says:
      December 10, 2022 at 9:53 pm

      But that’s the title of the article.

      Log in to Reply
    • Diane says:
      December 24, 2022 at 4:00 pm

      This was more of a laundry lesson. Many good points though, some about the machine and some about what is washed.

      Log in to Reply
  5. Mechelle says:
    December 24, 2022 at 8:24 pm

    TK Smith there is no miners at the bottom of the page and a arrow press the arrow and it will let you keep reading the story for washing

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Latest Posts

  • A dusty attic corner piled high with cardboard boxes and old magazines, illuminated by a warm sunbeam filtering through a window. 14 Useless Things Taking Up Valuable Space in Your Home Right Now
  • A thriving dwarf lemon tree bearing bright yellow fruit in a terracotta pot in a sun-drenched, cozy living room corner. 8 Fruits That Thrive Indoors With Surprisingly Little Effort
  • A couple taking a break from painting inside a sunlit, historic house, looking out a large window at a tree-lined street. 10 Towns Where Housing Costs Stay Low
  • A close-up photo of a Ruby-throated hummingbird hovering next to a coral-red trumpet flower in a warm, sunny backyard. 8 Outdoor Plants That Attract Hummingbirds
  • The Kitchen Trends Retirees Are Embracing The Kitchen Trends Retirees Are Embracing
  • A woman sits peacefully in her cozy apartment drinking tea while a storm rages outside her window, symbolizing renters insurance security. 7 Surprising Situations Where Renters Insurance Can Help
  • Candid photo of friends gathering in a cozy, well-lit living room, sitting on a modular linen sofa around a low oak table. 12 Living Room Design Choices for Adults Who Actually Love to Entertain
  • A bright, modern small bathroom featuring an oak floating vanity, round mirror, and a seamless frameless glass shower panel. 10 Small Bathroom Ideas That Maximize Every Inch of Space
  • A person paints over a dull beige wall with a warm, modern off-white color in a sunlit living room. 7 Paint Color Trends We Hope Don't Come Back This Year
  • Close-up of hands pulling wax paper from a box on a wooden workbench with tools in the background. 13 Genius Ways to Use Wax Paper Beyond the Kitchen

Related Articles

never leave on the porch

6 Items to Never Leave on the Porch

These are the items you should never leave on the porch! When the porch-sitting season…

Read More →
keep your house clean with zero effort

10 Hacks to Keep Your House Clean With ZERO Effort

How can you keep your house clean with zero effort?  Ugh, cleaning! This is one…

Read More →
design mistakes

Top 10 Bathroom Mistakes That Will Cost You a Fortune

Ignoring function, and going for style instead Sure, it matters a lot if your bathroom…

Read More →
water

Avoid Water: Do NOT Clean These 9 Items With It

#4 Electronic devices This should not be something we have to explain to you, but…

Read More →
smart IKEA shopping

Smart IKEA Shopping: Get In, Get Out, No Regrets

These strategies for smart IKEA shopping will help you steer clear of unnecessary purchases, allowing…

Read More →
vinegar, weed

12 Vinegar Hacks From a Cleaning Expert That Can Save You Money

5. Add it to the dishwasher Cleaning experts tell us to add some vinegar into…

Read More →
storage

5 Big Storage and Organizing Trends You Have To Try

#4 The Style-Forward Storage Options There has been a shift in attitudes towards storage spaces…

Read More →
wall colors

The No. 1 Best Wall Colors Based on Your Personality

Extraverted personality wall colors If you feel energized after you hang out with other people…

Read More →
feng shui

7 Feng Shui Tips to Bring Luck and Harmony Into Your Home

4. Look for the Xun position  Before you can bring luck and good fortune into…

Read More →

The American House

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@theamericanhouse.com

Trust & Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Do not sell my personal information
  • Subscribe
  • Unsubscribe
  • Contact
  • Request to Know
  • Request to Delete
  • CA Private Policy

Categories

  • DIY
  • Expert Tips
  • Garden
  • Tips & Tricks

© 2026 The American House. All rights reserved.