7 Seemingly Harmless Items That Can Destroy Your Washing Machine

You already know it’s wise to look at care labels on your clothes before you toss them in the laundry, to prevent shrinkage, bleeding dye and other damage. But here’s one thing you probably haven’t considered: There are some items you may be washing that could actually be damaging the machine itself.

“During my career, I have seen the worst items clog up a washing machine,” said Ian Palmer-Smith, an appliance expert at Domestic & General .

We asked experts which items you should never put in your washing machine — and how they can cause harm if you do. Here are some of the most surprising answers.

1. Too much detergent

Using more detergent actually doesn’t mean cleaner clothes.

“The worst thing [that people] do for their machines is using too much detergent,” Patric Richardson, known as The Laundry Evangelist , told HuffPost.

Detergent is oil-based, so it doesn’t rinse out easily. When you start adding too much, it accumulates in the machine.

“When it builds up, then that’s when your sensors don’t work effectively,” he said. “You can [also] end up with a mildewy smell in your washing machine.”

So how much detergent should you add? Richardson said you really only need about 2 tablespoons of detergent to do a full load of laundry. (He avoids pods because they generally contain more detergent than you need for one load.)

“Using less detergent makes your machine last longer … and it’s great for your clothes … so it’s just a win-win,” he said.

Another factor to consider: the type of detergent you’re using. Richardson prefers to use laundry soap over detergent because it has fewer chemicals (which means less oil) and is less harsh on the machine. While laundry soap has the least chemicals, plant-based, hypoallergenic