Bathroom mats should never, ever go in your washing machine. Here’s why, and what you can do when your bathroom mats and other bulky items need cleaning.
As an appliance technician with over 30 years of experience, I’ve seen countless front-load washing machines damaged by customers using them to wash bathroom mats. I’ve even seen a brand-new front-loader destroyed beyond repair when someone tried to wash two bathroom mats at the same time.
Bottom line: Never wash bathroom mats in your washing machine. Here’s why:
Why Can’t I Put My Bathroom Mat in the Washer?
Most front-load washers have large spin baskets that seem to accommodate big items like blankets and bathroom mats. That leads people to believe that these machines can handle items of any size and weight.
The issue is, bathroom mats absorb so much water that they end up weighing much more than the washer was designed to handle. Modern washers spin at incredibly high speeds—up to 1,200 revolutions per minute during the spin cycle! These fast speeds generate large amounts of force, and the increased weight of heavy, waterlogged mats can tear your washer apart.
By washing bathroom mats in your machine, you risk two major problems:
1. It Can Ruin the Drain Motor
Bathroom mats often have a rubber backing that breaks down in the wash cycle. The small rubber pieces can clog the drain pump and motor.
This often requires replacing the drain motor, which typically costs around $240 for parts and labor. Even mats without rubber backing can still damage the drain motor. Long fibers from certain mats break off and block the drain.
2. It Can Damage the Spin Basket Bearing
The rear bearing that supports the spin basket endures a lot of strain from the heavy, soaked bathroom mats and the centripetal force during the spin cycle. Once this bearing fails, repairs can cost upwards of $500. The spider bracket that holds up the spin basket may also break due to the excessive weight, and fixing that costs about the same.
Recently, a customer with a two-year-old LG washer contacted me about a loud spin cycle, caused by a worn-out rear bearing. He frequently washed heavy items like bathroom mats and blankets in his machine. I had to break the bad news that the repair would cost more than $500, and it would be more cost-effective to replace the washer entirely. Now, he’s looking at spending $1,200 on a new washer, while his broken machine heads to a landfill.
Pro Tip: Washing machine manufacturers should warn customers about washing bathroom mats!
What If I’ve Already Washed My Bathroom Mats?
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