Buzz
Many homemakers often believe that washing machines are only meant for washing clothes or bedding and overlook their ability to thoroughly clean items like stuffed animals, backpacks, lunch bags, and more.
1. 'Astounding' Items Many Women Think Cannot Be Put in the Washing Machine
Many homemakers often think that washing machines are only useful for washing clothes or bedding and not for cleaning items like stuffed animals, backpacks, lunch bags, etc.
1. Stuffed Animals
Place stuffed animals in a dedicated laundry bag and then into the washing machine. Use cold water (hot or warm water may dissolve glue on toys) and half the usual amount of detergent. After washing, remember to spin them again to ensure they are thoroughly dry.
2. Pillowcase and Pillow Insert
Wash pillowcases with two cycles of warm water, gentle mode. To ensure all soap is removed, run an additional rinse - spin cycle with cold water.
You should wash pillow inserts at least twice a year to remove dust mites, bedbugs, bacteria, odors, and to prevent discoloration and maintain aesthetics. When washing, launder two inserts at a time with warm water, select gentle wash to ensure they are clean with minimal distortion.
3. Baseball Cap
Soak baseball caps in laundry detergent for about 5 minutes before running the machine, using cold water and a short wash cycle. If concerned about the shape of the cap, you can purchase a cap frame or remember to reshape it before air-drying.
4. Fabric Shoes
Remove shoelaces, place them in a fabric bag. Take out the insoles from the shoes. Put the shoes and the bag of laces into the washing machine, use a normal amount of detergent, add a little vinegar for whitening. Wash with cold water.
5. Toys
Put all small toys such as puzzles, balls, plastic toys... into a laundry bag. Run a cold water cycle.
6. Curtains
To save time on window refreshments, you can wash curtains with a washing machine. Unless your curtains are made of delicate material, otherwise they can be safely cleaned with 1 cold water washing cycle in the washing machine.
7. Backpack
While you may not pay much attention to cleaning your backpack, the reality is they can easily get dirty due to carrying many items every day. Some backpacks can be cleaned in the washing machine. Turn the inside out and remove any metal parts to ensure they won't come into contact with the washing drum. Alternatively, you can place the backpack inside a pillowcase to protect it and the washing machine, and wash it with a gentle cycle.
8. Various Rugs
The household rugs in your family are stepped on by many people every day and can quickly become dirty, affecting aesthetics. If the rug is made of cotton or synthetic fibers, you can toss it into the washing machine along with towels. Wash with cold water on a gentle cycle and remember not to do this too often as it may reduce the durability of your rugs.
9. Sports Gear
Headbands, elbow pads, gloves, shoes... can all be machine washed, once a month. Put them in a specialized laundry bag, use a small amount of gentle detergent and wash with a regular cycle.
On days when your home has too many things to clean, remember that you have a large machine to save time indoors. Just make sure these items are not harmful to the washing machine and are suitable for the manufacturer's instructions.
