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 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
  • A sophisticated living room with charcoal-grey wall molding, an emerald velvet sofa, and a large brass chandelier. 12 Designer Secrets for a More Expensive-Looking Home
  • A modern living room featuring a vintage Victorian carved wood cabinet and a mid-century green velvet sofa in warm afternoon light. 9 Vintage Furniture Trends Returning to Homes (You May Own These Pieces Too!)
  • A warm, sunlit kitchen featuring sage green cabinets, brass lighting, and matte black hardware, capturing a modern DIY aesthetic. 8 Affordable Ways to Upgrade Your Kitchen
  • A bright, clean kitchen with seamless quartz countertops and oak shelves, focusing on smooth surfaces that resist dust and grime. 9 Cleaner Home Design Choices
  • A large, stylish gallery wall with mixed frames and art hanging above a tan leather sofa in a sunlit living room. 10 Frame Combinations That Transform Blank Walls
  • A modern living room blending a mid-century wood sideboard and leather chairs with contemporary furniture in natural afternoon light. 7 Furniture Styles Designers Are Loving Again
  • A modern black linear light fixture hangs above a wooden dining table, casting a warm glow in a stylish, dusk-lit room. 8 Light Fixtures That Instantly Elevate a Room

Related Articles

laundry room

How To Make Your Laundry Room Smell Like Heaven

According to our experts, there are some common mistakes people should avoid to keep their…

Read More →
tiny

13 Clever Storage Ideas for Tiny Spaces

6. Store stuff under the bed We usually tend to have this spot clean and…

Read More →
holiday

7 Worst Holiday Decorating Mistakes You Must Avoid

#4 Sticking to only one set of family photos We are sure you have some…

Read More →
Quick Home Cleaning Tip

16 Quick Home Cleaning Tips Pros Use in Under an Hour

Turn on the tunes To supercharge your cleaning grinds, why not play some music to…

Read More →
raccoon

Raccoon Attraction: 5 BIG Scents That Bring Them to Your Yard

Do you know what makes your yard so attractive to raccoons? More animals are visiting…

Read More →
guests

8 Hosting Mistakes That Might Make Your Guests Uncomfortable

Inviting people over for a dinner party or taking them out to a nice restaurant…

Read More →

Small Kitchen? 16 Creative Ideas to Organize Your Space

No Kitchen Space? Don’t Have to Worry!  If you’re like me, you’ve got tons of…

Read More →
cart

8 Reasons Why Ikea’s Raskog Cart Is THE Perfect Piece of Furniture

#4 Mightiest cleaning supply holder! If you’re counting on certain days to get your whole…

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 →

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.