EXPLORE BEYOND LAUNDRY: 24 ITEMS YOUR WASHING MACHINE CAN HANDLE

Your washing machine is not just for clothes. There are plenty of household items you can toss in there to save yourself some handwashing effort.

1. EXPLORE BEYOND LAUNDRY: 24 ITEMS YOUR WASHING MACHINE CAN HANDLE

Your washing machine is not just for clothes. There are plenty of household items you can toss in there to save yourself some handwashing effort.

Household Broom Heads
It's important to wash household broom heads after each use, but many people find it daunting to touch them. A washing machine can help you with that. Simply set the washing machine to a gentle cycle with hot water or sanitize mode, then add some laundry detergent. Done!

Bath Sponges
You can wash bath sponges in the washing machine, similar to washing household broom heads. The washing machine will completely remove any soap scum and dead skin clinging to the bath sponge.
Kitchen Scrubbers
Another item that can be washed by machine. Remember to set the washing machine to a quick wash cycle with hot water or sanitize mode.

Stuffed Animals
If you have children at home, you should remember this. Place dirty stuffed animals in a mesh bag and wash them on a gentle cycle to remove all dirt, bacteria, and other tiny things.
However, before putting stuffed animals in the washing machine, check their labels to see if the manufacturer allows machine washing. If stuffed animals have foam beads inside, have glued-on details, or are old, it's best not to wash them.
If your child is sensitive to laundry detergent ingredients, use baking soda instead of laundry detergent.
For stuffed animals that make noise, avoid washing them as water can damage the noise-making devices or other technologies inside them.

Small Toys
It might sound crazy, but it's completely reasonable. You can clean small toys in the washing machine without any issues. Put them in a mesh bag and switch the washing machine to the sanitize mode, and your child's toys will be clean and safe from bacteria.

Gloves and Silicone Pot Holders
These two can be washed together with clothes, as long as they're not too dirty. Just wash them with warm water.
If washing gloves and silicone pot holders together with clothes makes you uneasy, roll them up in a towel, and you're done.

Rugs and Small Carpets
Bathroom rugs and other small carpets can be washed in the washing machine, but pay attention to the washing machine settings. Always use warm water and a gentle wash cycle. Cold or hot water can cause rugs to shrink or crack rubber lines on bathroom rugs.

Car Floor Mats
Like indoor rugs, you can wash car floor mats in the washing machine. Remember to shake off dust, treat stains, and then put them in the washing machine with warm water on a gentle cycle.

Sleeping Pillows
Sleeping pillows accumulate dust, dead skin cells, and possibly even mites. To disinfect them, put the pillows in the washing machine, then pour fabric softener and regular laundry detergent into the water.
Use the sanitize mode or hot water setting, and switch to a gentle wash setting. With this method, you can wash both cotton and synthetic fiber pillows.
After washing, dry the pillows in the dryer.

Back Cushions (on the sofa) 
Small cushions used on chairs and sofas can be washed similar to sleeping pillows.

Sofa Cushion Covers
If your sofa cushion has a zipper, then the cushion cover can be removed and washed in the washing machine.

Dog Beds
Almost all types of dog beds can be washed like washing pillows. If you find that your dog's bed has cardboard inside (to make the base firmer), then don't wash it in the machine. Instead, wipe it with antibacterial spray.

Cotton or Synthetic Fiber Bedspreads
Although washable by machine, don't just throw a pile of bedspreads into the washing machine. First, use stain remover spray to treat any visible stains. Then, check for tears or holes on the bedspread – if there are any, you should mend them to prevent the washing process from enlarging the tears. Wash the bedspread with warm water and mild detergent, avoiding bleach.

Running Shoes
If you're planning to wash some towels, take the opportunity to throw in your sneakers too. Towels will help reduce the noise sneakers make when they bump into the washing machine drum. Also, wash with warm water to make the shoes look like new.

Curtains and Bathroom Mats
Many people often discard dirty curtains or bathroom mats. But you can use them longer by washing them in the washing machine. Use warm water because cold water can cause plastic curtains and mats to crack, and select a light load setting to save water.

Curtains
You can wash window curtains in the washing machine. Curtains made of synthetic, cotton, and polyester fibers can all be washed on a gentle cycle with warm water and regular detergent.

Toilet Seat Covers
To make toilet seat covers look new, just turn them inside out and put them in the washing machine with warm water. Remember to dry them after washing.

Reusable Lunch Bags (Fabric)
Washing toilet seat covers is what? You can throw reusable lunch bags into the washing machine along with toilet seat covers. And of course, don't forget to turn them inside out.

Reusable Shopping Bags (Fabric)
Using fabric reusable shopping bags is commendable. It's even more commendable when you can clean them in the washing machine with warm water. If they're 100% cotton, you can even put them in the dryer. If not, use a handheld dryer.

Yoga Mats
If your yoga mat looks a bit dirty, you can quickly wash it on a gentle cycle, using warm water and regular soap. But remember to turn off the spin cycle and use a handheld dryer to dry them.

Baseball Caps
Wash baseball caps in the washing machine with cold water and a gentle cycle. Only use a handheld dryer to dry them.
If there's a hat frame, use it immediately to prevent the hat from deforming during washing.

Belts
Woven belts (not leather) can be washed in the washing machine like many other things. Just remember to put them in a mesh bag so that the metal parts don't damage the washing drum. And always dry with a handheld dryer.

Mouse Pads
Computer keyboards are the dirtiest things in your home, so you can imagine how dirty mouse pads can get?
Put the mouse pad in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with warm water. Then use a handheld dryer to dry them afterward.