9 Things You Shouldn't Put in the Washing Machine

Memory foam pillows are thick, dense and don’t fare well in the washing machine. In the worst-case scenario, the foam can be completely torn apart in the washer. At a minimum, a memory foam pillow will absorb too much water and become a misshapen mess if run through a wash cycle. Always use a removable, washable cover on your memory foam pillows.

Photography: Amazon

After you finish the dirty job of changing the oil in your car, you might be tempted to toss your grimy clothes straight into the washer. That's a bad idea. Putting anything with flammable stains or spots into the washer could be hazardous. Hand wash your oil-stained items instead.

Always zip up the zipper on a piece of clothing before tossing it in the washing machine. Unzipped zippers can get caught on other garments and parts of the washer, potentially leading to expensive damage.

Neckties are often made of fine fabrics such as silk, which can shrink in the washing machine. Ties quickly become misshapen in the wash, so your best bet is to spot or dry clean them.

While it’s tempting to throw Fido’s fur-covered blanket straight in the washer, you’re better off using a lint roller to first get off as much hair as you can before tossing it in. Pet hair can clog the machine’s parts, leading to expensive repairs.

The water and movement inherent to washing machines is bad news for leather. Therefore, it is not recommended to put items such as shoes or handbags crafted with leather into the washing machine. They can become discolored and lose their shape.

Delicate vintage garments should not be put in a washing machine. Get in the habit of taking soiled gowns and embroidered tablecloths straight to the dry cleaners. Important items like your wedding dress are just too precious to risk in the washer.

It's great that the kids are actually wiping their feet on the doormat, but if it’s backed with rubber, hose it off in the front yard instead of tossing it in the washer. The heat from a washing machine can break down the adhesive that attaches the rubber backing to the mat.