6 Things You Should Never Put in Your Washing Machine

At Hamlet Laundry Ltd (London), we see the same preventable laundry mistakes again and again—often after a favourite garment (or a home washer) has already paid the price. This guide is designed to help you avoid the most common “never wash” items, plus what to do instead.

A quick science note: washing isn’t just “soaking.” Agitation and friction can physically break down fibres. One peer-reviewed study measuring microfiber shedding across consumer textiles found microfiber loss varied dramatically by material and construction—ranging from 9.6 mg to 1,240 mg per kg of textile per wash (over multiple domestic laundry cycles).

Quick checklist: what you should never put in a washing machine

1. Dry-clean-only & structured garments
2. True delicates (silk, velvet, cashmere, lace)
3. Sequins, beads, and embellished pieces
4. Leather and suede (including trims)
5. Memory foam pillows
6. Rugs and heavy/bulky items unless labelled washable

Bonus: Two habits that quietly damage washers: overloading and using too much detergent.

The 30-second decision rule (before you wash anything “questionable”)

1) Read the care label—literally

If it says “Dry Clean Only”, treat that as a hard stop. Multiple laundry experts and publications flag this as one of the most common causes of irreversible shape and finish damage.

2) Ask two practical questions

• Could this deform in a high-speed spin? (structured pieces, foam, heavy items)
• Could parts detach or snag? (sequins, beads, hooks, leather trims)

If the answer is “yes,” your safest move is hand-wash, spot-clean, or professional care.

Why washing machines damage certain items

A typical cycle combines water + detergent + mechanical action + spin force. That’s perfect for durable cotton tees and towels. But for delicate fibres, coatings, adhesives, foams, and heavy items, that same process can:

• abrade fibres and finishes,
• stretch or warp structure,
• loosen glues/interlinings,
• detach embellishments,
• unbalance the drum and stress the machine.

And beyond fabric care, domestic laundry is also a known source of microfiber emissions. Research continues to quantify this and identify factors (textile type, construction, washing conditions) that influence shedding.

1) Dry-clean-only & structured garments

Never wash: “Dry clean only” items; structured blazers; tailored coats; lined pieces.

Why it’s risky

“Dry clean only” often means the garment’s shape and finish depend on materials that don’t tolerate water and agitation—like interlinings, adhesives, special dyes, or delicate surface finishes. Experts specifically warn that machine washing can distort structure and damage the piece.

What to do instead

• Best: professional cleaning that matches the garment’s construction.
• At home (if label allows): “Dry clean” is different from “dry clean only.” If it says dry clean (not “only”), you may have options—but follow the label strictly.

Hamlet Laundry pro note (London)

The most common “regret wash” we see is a structured jacket that loses its shape after one home cycle. If you’re unsure, bring it to a professional before experimenting—especially with tailored pieces.

2) True delicates: silk, velvet, cashmere, lace

Never wash: silk blouses, velvet items, lace garments, many cashmere knits (unless explicitly machine-wash safe).

Why it’s risky

Delicate fibres and weaves are more vulnerable to abrasion, stretching, snagging, and surface wear. Clothing-care experts frequently caution against machine washing high-sensitivity materials.

What to do instead

• Best: professional wet-cleaning or specialist hand-wash (depending on item).
• At home: hand-wash in cool water with a gentle detergent; avoid wringing; reshape and dry flat.

Hamlet Laundry pro note

If you want one rule that saves wardrobes: separate “delicates” from “durables.” A single zip, hook, or rough textile can permanently snag silk or lace.

3) Sequins, beads, and embellished pieces

Never wash: sequined dresses, beaded tops, garments with glued-on details.

Why it’s risky

Embellishments can:

• snag on the drum or other garments,
• detach and become a mechanical problem (clogging filters/drains),
• cause surface abrasion (sequins can act like tiny “scrapers”).

This category is routinely listed by laundry-pro sources as “do not machine wash.”

What to do instead

• Best: professional cleaning where the method is chosen based on embellishment type (stitched vs glued).
• At home: spot-clean carefully; if the label permits gentle washing, use a protective garment bag and minimal agitation.

Hamlet Laundry pro note

When customers tell us “the washer started making noise,” it’s sometimes not the machine—it’s an item shedding hardware or embellishments inside the system.

4) Leather and suede (including trims)

Never wash: leather jackets; suede shoes; anything with leather panels or trims.

Why it’s risky

Leather and suede don’t behave like fabric. Water and detergent can strip oils, stiffen the material, and change texture permanently. Laundry-pro guidance consistently flags leather and suede as “never” items for the washing machine.

What to do instead

• Best: a leather/suede specialist.
• At home: spot-clean with products intended for leather/suede; avoid soaking.

Hamlet Laundry pro note

Even “small leather accents” on otherwise washable items (like certain trainers) can be the part that fails first—cracking, fading, or deforming.

5) Memory foam pillows

Never wash: memory foam pillows (and many foam inserts).

Why it’s risky

Laundry professionals commonly warn that washing can damage foam structure—tearing, clumping, or breaking it down—making the pillow less supportive.

What to do instead

• Best: follow the pillow label exactly.
• At home: spot-clean and air dry thoroughly (avoid trapping moisture).

Hamlet Laundry pro note

People usually discover this the hard way: the pillow looks okay wet, then dries lumpy or misshapen.

6) Rugs and heavy/bulky items unless labelled washable

Never wash: wool, jute, silk rugs; heavy bath mats; oversized comforters/duvets that strain the drum.

Why it’s risky

Many rugs and heavy items:

• shed fibres and break down,
• absorb water and become extremely heavy,
• unbalance the spin, stressing the machine.

Laundry-pro guidance often recommends only machine washing rugs if they’re explicitly labelled washable, and warns against other fibres like wool, jute, and silk.

What to do instead

• Best: professional cleaning (or commercial-grade machines for truly machine-safe bulky items).
• At home: shake/vacuum, spot-clean, and only machine wash if the manufacturer says it’s safe.

Hamlet Laundry pro note (London)

If an item becomes “astonishingly heavy” when wet (common with bath mats and thick rugs), it’s often safer to avoid the home washer entirely.

Bonus: two habits that quietly damage washers (and laundry)

These aren’t “items,” but they’re responsible for a lot of poor results and washer strain.

1) Overloading the washing machine

Overloading can cause imbalance and stress the machine during spin. It also reduces wash performance because water and detergent can’t circulate properly.

2) Using too much detergent

More detergent doesn’t mean cleaner clothes. Excess detergent can leave residue, extend cycles, and contribute to washer issues over time, according to laundry-pro guidance.

At-a-glance guide: risk and safer alternatives

People Also Ask

Can I wash “dry clean only” if I use cold water?

If the label says dry clean only, don’t assume cold water makes it safe. Experts warn these garments often rely on construction materials and finishes that can fail in a wash cycle.

Can rugs ever go in the washing machine?

Sometimes—but only if the rug is explicitly labelled washable. Many fibres (including wool, jute, and silk) aren’t good candidates for machine washing and may shed, warp, or degrade.

Why are memory foam pillows not machine washable?

Laundry professionals caution that washing can damage the foam’s internal structure, leading to clumping, tearing, or permanent deformation. Spot-cleaning is usually safer unless the label says otherwise.

What happens if I overload my washer?

Overloading can reduce cleaning performance and create imbalance during the spin cycle, which stresses the machine. Laundry pros commonly flag overloading as a cause of both poor results and washer wear.

Is “washing machine damage” really a concern—or just a scare tactic?

It’s real. Many of the “never wash” categories (heavy rugs, items that detach hardware, persistent imbalance from overload) create mechanical stress or clog risks. That’s why consumer-facing guidance repeatedly includes both garment damage and washer damage in the same warning lists.

A London note: when it makes sense to use a professional laundry service

Most everyday laundry is easy to handle at home. But if you’re dealing with:

• structured tailoring (blazers, coats),
• delicates with expensive fibres,
• heavy rugs or bulky items,
• embellished pieces you can’t replace,

professional garment care can be the difference between “cleaned” and “ruined.”

If you’re in London, Hamlet Laundry Ltd can help you choose the right treatment—especially for items where the care label is confusing or the materials are mixed (e.g., wool with leather trim, sequins on silk). We aim to keep this guidance practical: if it’s safe to do at home, we’ll tell you; if it’s risky, we’ll recommend a safer route.

Final takeaway

The washer is powerful—so the best laundry habit isn’t “wash everything,” it’s wash the right things the right way. When in doubt:

1. check the label,
2. think about structure/weight/embellishments,
3. choose the gentlest safe alternative.

That approach saves clothes, avoids machine stress, and (quietly) saves money in the long run.

👔 Want to Stop Guessing and Start Caring for Your Clothes the Right Way?

Some garments are simply too valuable, too delicate, or too complicated to risk in a home washing machine. That’s where professional care makes all the difference.

At Hamlet Laundry Ltd, we help Londoners protect their clothes—and their time—by taking the uncertainty out of laundry and garment care.

Why choose Hamlet Laundry?

✔️ Expert garment care for delicates, structured pieces, and special fabrics
✔️ Professional dry cleaning & laundry tailored to each item’s care label
✔️ Convenient pickup & delivery across London (no trips, no queues)
✔️ Wash & fold services for everyday laundry—clean, fresh, ready to wear
✔️ Honest advice: if it’s safe to do at home, we’ll tell you

🧺 Whether it’s a tailored blazer, a silk blouse, a bulky duvet, or just a busy week of laundry—you don’t have to gamble with your clothes.

👉 Let Hamlet Laundry handle the hard parts, so your clothes last longer, look better, and stay stress-free.

📍 Based in London | Trusted by locals who care about their clothes