Keep scrolling to discover eight surprising household items you can clean in the washing machine, plus tips and tricks to make laundry day feel like less of a chore.
1. Shoes
Machine-washable shoes are popular for their convenience, but you don’t have to invest in a pair of Rothy’s or Allbirds to get clean kicks. Most canvas sneakers can be tossed right into the washing machine. First, remove the laces and pretreat any stubborn stains using an old toothbrush and some Fels-Naptha laundry soap. Then, place the laces and sneakers in a mesh laundry bag and wash in cold water on a gentle cycle. Once finished, let everything air-dry.
2. Baseball Caps
Hats — especially baseball caps — easily collect sweat, sunscreen, and grime. A washing machine is a great way to keep them fresh with minimal effort on your part. To protect a hat’s shape in the wash, invest in a hat-washer cage. Place your hat inside, wash on a cold, delicate cycle, and let it air-dry completely before wearing.
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3. Pet Toys
Whether they’re being swatted across the room by your cat or slobbered on by your dog, pet toys take a real beating. Fortunately, most plush toys — even those with crinkles and squeakers — can handle a trip through the washing machine. Pop the toys in a mesh laundry bag and run a gentle, hot water cycle to sanitize them. Opt for a plant-based, fragrance-free detergent to keep your pet safe. If a toy has an electronic device inside that cannot be removed, do not place it in the washing machine. Instead, spot-clean it or use a pet-friendly disinfectant such as CleanSmart Toy Disinfectant.
4. Yoga Mats
Machine-washing a yoga mat is a bit controversial because many manufacturers advise against it, but if you have a cheap mat in need of a deep clean, it can be done. The best nonfabric candidates are mats made of thin PVC or TPE, but again, there’s no guarantee they will emerge from the machine unscathed. Run the mat through a front-loading washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle. Use a minimal amount of detergent, skip the spin setting entirely (or keep it on low), and let it air-dry completely before use. Just check the care instructions first, as mats made of NBR, natural rubber, cork, PU, or thick PVC should never go in the wash.
5. Reusable Grocery Bags and Tote Bags
Canvas and cotton totes are prone to getting filthy over time, but they’re easy to refresh in a washing machine. Even woven and nonwoven polypropylene bags (think of the blue IKEA shopping bags) can be laundered this way. Run a cold, gentle cycle and let them air-dry to prevent shrinkage. To preserve colors or embroidery designs, turn the bags inside out before washing. Skip the machine for insulated thermal bags or laminated totes — wipe those down by hand to avoid ruining the lining or coating.
6. Pillows
You might keep your pillowcases on a regular wash schedule, but your actual pillows need some love, too. Experts recommend washing pillows at least every six months to remove dust, bacteria, and oil buildup. Pillows made from synthetic fibers, down, or feathers can be tossed in the washing machine on a gentle or bulky cycle using warm water and a small amount of detergent. Run an extra rinse cycle to flush out any trapped soap, then tumble-dry on low to no heat. Solid memory foam or latex pillows should never go in the washing machine — spot-clean them instead to prevent damaging the foam.
7. Shower Curtains and Liners
Most shower curtains and liners are machine-washable, even if they’re made of plastic. The next time you wash your bath towels, toss your curtain and liner in with them, along with a splash of detergent and one cup of distilled white vinegar to break down hard water stains and mildew. The permanent press cycle — sometimes labeled “Casual” or “Wrinkle Control” — is your best bet. It combines warm wash water and a cold rinse with gentle agitation and a slow spin speed. The bath towels keep the curtain and liner from bunching together while acting as a gentle abrasive to scrub away soap scum. Afterward, hang the shower curtain and liner back up on the rod to air-dry. (Pro tip: Opening a window or turning on the bathroom fan will help them dry faster.)
8. Oven Mitts and Potholders
Similar to kitchen towels, oven mitts and potholders are prone to food stains, yet they’re often overlooked on laundry day. Spot-treat tough stains using Fels-Naptha laundry soap, then place items in a mesh laundry bag to prevent snagging. Wash on a warm, gentle cycle and lay them flat to dry completely. If your mitts have silicone or rubber grips, air-drying is necessary to prevent cracking. Never attempt to use damp oven mitts, as moisture conducts heat and can cause burns.
