If you regularly wash laundry, chances are, you've inadvertently (or purposely) put something in your washing machine that didn’t belong there. While washing clothes seems like a no-brainer, there are actually several ways you can mess it up, and first among them is putting no-go items in your washing machine. Put the wrong things in your washer, and you not only mess up your clothes, but you risk damaging this oh-so-essential appliance. The experts at G&G Appliance Service in New York are here to detail eight items you should never put in your washing machine. Keep this list in mind the next time you reach for your overflowing hamper.

●        Coins

Certainly, nobody throws coins in their washing machine on purpose; yet, they still manage to sneak their way in somehow. Pants pockets are notorious for holding a few stray coins, that, while seemingly harmless, can do some damage to your machine. Most coins stay in the drum throughout the entire cycle, but sometimes, a few make it past the filter, ending up near your washer’s drain pump. Because they’re exceedingly hard, coins can damage the delicate fins on the drain pump, and, if they make it far enough, can get stuck in the drain pipe. At this stage, you’ll need to call a washer repair company to extract the coins and fix your machine. Pro tip: Always check pockets before loading clothing into the machine!

●        Clothes With Flammable Residue

What do messy cooks, clumsy fuel-pumpers, and DIY auto mechanics all have in common? Not much, unless you count the fact that they all end up with flammable residue on their clothes at the end of the day. Gasoline, cooking oil, and of course, automotive oil all present a major fire hazard when you inadvertently put these items in your washing machine. To keep your washer safe, always examine clothing for flammable stains prior to starting a load. If you find any, you can easily remove them by rubbing a mixture of two-parts baking soda and one-part water into the stain.

●        Keys

Like coins, no one purposefully puts car keys in the washer, but again, pockets can be devious little tricksters. Sometimes, you even check your pockets prior to loading the machine and you still don’t catch everything! Keys, like coins, can damage your washer’s drum, and if you have a glass viewing window on the front of your machine, a stray key can even crack it.

Couple that with the fact that after a good washing, your electronic key has likely died a watery death, and you’ve effectively doubled your problems. Forget to take your keys out of your pocket, and you’ll be in for hundreds of dollars worth of bills between a washer repair and new car key.

●        Pet Hair

If you have pets that shed, you know the never-ending struggle of keeping your clothes and linens hair-free. And even though your washer seems to remove stray pet strands in an instant, introducing all that hair into your machine can spell disaster.

When wet, excess pet hair forms clumps in your washer, which can travel through the machine into the drain pumps. There, they prevent water from exiting the machine, which puts unnecessary stress on not only your washer, but your plumbing system, too. That, combined with the ever-pleasing smell of wet dog should be enough to deter you from throwing hairy fabrics into your washer. But, on the off chance that you continue throwing dog beds in your drum, you’ll end up calling a washer repair company before you know it.

●        Sand

If you frequent the beach or have kiddos who enjoy time in the sand box, you know the frustrating reality of sand’s sticking power. Sand can damage your washing machine by scratching the inside of the drum or, worse, clogging the drain and drain pump. Because sand is so fine, it often travels with wastewater through your washer’s drain system, where it can cause blockages. Too much buildup can actually stop your washer from functioning altogether. To avoid having to phone your washer repairman, make certain you shake all the sand from your clothing and linens prior to washing.

●        King-size Comforters

If you’ve never read the care instructions for your king-size comforter, now is the time to do it. The tag on your bedspread most likely implies that king-size comforters are far too large for the average household washing machine. Of course, if you have a machine with a large enough capacity to wash king-size linens, go for it. But for most of us, a visit to the dry cleaner or laundromat is necessary.

King-size bed linens are often bulky and heavy, and when saturated with water, put a great deal of strain on your washing machine. This excessive strain forces the washer motor to work harder than normal, which can lead to early burnout. Plus, heavy items in the washer drum can unbalance the machine during the spin cycle. When this occurs, you’ll hear alarming knocking sounds coming from your washer as it attempts to rinse and spin. Excessive knocking and shaking can damage other internal components of your washing machine, so avoid this situation at all costs.

●        Too Much Detergent

More detergent equals cleaner clothes, right? Maybe, but it can also equal more problems. If you have a high-efficiency machine, you need to be careful about how much laundry detergent you use. Per federal regulations, high-efficiency machines cut down on the amount of water necessary for each load. If you use too much detergent, your machine cannot effectively break it down as there is not enough water in the cycle to do so. When this occurs, your washer develops soap residue buildup throughout the machine. As a result, the machine may stop draining, throw an error code, or cease functioning altogether. Your next step? A phone call to your local washer repair service.

●        Too Many Items

As in the case of the king-size comforter, too many items in your washing machine can create problems. Heavy, bulky loads can unbalance your machine and lead to violent shaking and knocking during the spin cycle. Besides damage to the drum itself, collateral damage to other machine components is a common occurrence. We recommend separating your clothes according to weight and only filling the drum per manufacturer recommendations. Simply following your washer’s printed instructions can save you the inconvenience of a non-functional washer and subsequent washer repair.

Your Washer Repair Company in New York

If your washing machine is on the blink and you need it fixed fast, call the washer repair professionals at G&G Appliance Service. Our qualified technicians service all washer brands from leading manufacturers, and if we don’t have the necessary parts on hand, we can promptly order them. Our extensive network of appliance experts spans across New York state, so you can feel confident we have a highly-trained technician near you. Feel free to request your washer repair estimate, or, to schedule service on any of your household appliances, contact our team!