Do you only wash your clothes and towels in your washing machine? You may be surprised to learn there are plenty of household items you can machine wash to save time and keep your home cleaner overall. From gym equipment to reusable bags, we’ve rounded up some unexpected things you can toss in the washer. Because with the right cycle, temperature, and tools like mesh bags, your washing machine can do more than you think.
Household Items That Can Handle a Spin Cycle
Many of the things we handle every day build up grime, bacteria, and odors, too. And luckily, you can machine wash more of them than you probably realized.
Here’s where to start:
1. Shower Curtains
Plastic and vinyl shower curtains are machine washable. For example, the Spa Waffle Shower Curtain with 3M Treatment is a stylish shower curtain that’s machine washable. Tossing them in the washer saves time and helps prevent mildew, soap scum, and that musty smell that ruins a relaxing shower.
Just remove the curtain from its rings and wash it on a gentle cycle with cold or warm water, adding a small amount of mild detergent.
For a deeper clean, throw in a few old towels to help scrub off residue and keep the curtain from wrinkling.
Here are a few other tips:
- Add a half-cup of white vinegar to kill odors and boost freshness
- Don’t use the dryer afterward
- Hang it back on the rod to air dry, and it’ll be good as new
2. Oven Mitts
Oven mitts and holders are known to trap food splatters, grease, and heat stains. However, before tossing them in the trash, machine wash them on a cold or warm gentle cycle and see if you can give them new life.
To avoid damage, check the care tag first and avoid mitts with rubber grips or metallic linings, unless the label confirms they’re safe to wash. Skip the fabric softener and opt for air drying or use dryer sheets/balls for a quick refresh and do this every month or so.
Protect your hands with a Williams Sonoma oven mitt that’s not only machine washable but also comes in a variety of colors to match your kitchen decor.
3. Kitchen Rugs
Small kitchen rugs, especially low-pile or rubber-backed ones, are another machine-washable surprise.
Here’s how to wash your kitchen rug in the washing machine:
- Shake the rug out first to remove any crumbs or debris
- Wash on a cold or warm cycle using gentle detergent
- Consider washing in a mesh laundry bag to help protect frayed edges
- Avoid high heat, so air dry the rug or tumble dry it on a low heat setting
For households with kids or pets, washing these rugs is a good way to help reduce allergens and grime, like these non-slip, machine-washable kitchen rugs.
4. Lunch Bags
Fabric and foam rubber lunch bags often come home with spills, crumbs, and mysterious odors. How can you fix this? Machine wash them once a week to remove bacteria and lingering smells. Just be sure to unzip all pockets and turn the bag inside out before washing.
It’s also a good idea to wash your lunch bags in a mesh bag or pillowcase to protect the zippers and seams. Finally, wash lunch bags on cold using a delicate cycle and a small amount of mild detergent, then the best results come from letting them air dry completely before using them again.
This Neoprene lunch bag from Sports rabbit is perfect for washing after using it for work, school, or traveling.
5. Pet Beds
Let’s not forget about our furry companions when it comes to washing household items in the washing machine. Smaller pet beds labeled as washing machine friendly, especially those with removable covers, can go straight into the washing machine.
Use a gentle cycle with cold water, and check the tag to see if air drying is recommended. Always check the care tag to make sure the fabric and fill can handle spinning in the washer.
Your pet will appreciate this because washing your pet beds helps prevent bacteria or pests from accumulating. One bed option to keep your pet comfy and clean with the Kirkland Signature 2-in-1 Bolster Pet Bed.
6. Stuffed Animals
Whether they’re yours or your kid’s, stuffed animals collect a lot more than cuddles like dust and stains.
As long as there are no electronic components inside, like this cute stuffed tiger, you can give many plush toys a spin through a wash cycle. Watch the stuffed animal go for the ride of its life using a delicate cycle and cold water, then move to the dryer if the care tag allows, but usually it’s best to let the air do the drying.
For some added fluffiness, pop them in the dryer on low with dryer balls for just 5-10 minutes. Just be sure to monitor closely.
Fitness Gear & Personal Items You Can Machine Wash
Whether it’s sweat from your most recent gym session or everyday wear and tear, fitness gear and personal items get dirty fast. Luckily, some of these can skip the sink and head straight for the washer, as long as you do it right.
7. Gym Bags
Fabric gym bags are built to handle a mess, but that doesn’t mean they stay clean on their own. If your bag smells like it’s seen a few too many sweaty leg days, feel free to give it a refresh, as nearly all canvas or polyester gym bags are safe for the washing machine.
Before throwing your gym bag in the washer:
- Be sure to empty all pockets
- Remove any inserts
- Zip everything up
When you’re ready to wash, make sure you put the setting on cold water on a gentle cycle, then to prevent any warping or shrinking, air dry the bag.
Searching for the perfect gym bag you can keep clean? This stylish bag is perfect for machine-washing after the gym and can even double as a travel bag, too.
8. Baseball Caps
A staple clothing item in the summer, baseball caps collect all sorts of stains from sweatbands, sunscreen, and weather alike. While you should always hand wash structured or vintage caps, you can machine wash many modern cotton or polyester baseball caps if you toss them in a laundry bag to protect their shape.
Like other items, use cold water and a delicate cycle to wash your baseball caps, then don’t forget to let them air dry.
One machine-washable cap option is the Cooling UPF Performance Hat, perfect for handling the grime of summer days.
9. Resistance Bands
Here’s a tip for the gym goers out there: machine wash your fabric resistance bands. Even though they’re fabric, you should still place them in a mesh bag, pillow case, or just wash them with similar items. Of course, also setting the washer to a gentle cycle with cold water is essential.
To help the resistance bands keep their shape, avoid the dryer and hang them up to dry. These fabric resistance bands can handle the washer after a lot of use, if you’re looking for resistance bands that are easy to clean.
Outdoor & Travel Items You Can Machine Wash
Like your indoor items, a lot of what you use outside can go straight into the washing machine. Whether you use them in your backyard, your car, or your suitcase, here are some more unexpected household items that are easier to clean than you may think.
10. Reusable Shopping Bags
These bags go everywhere, through multiple grocery store trips or farmers’ market weekends, and they’re often overlooked when it comes to cleaning. A good number of fabric shopping bags can be thrown in the washer with cold water and a mild detergent, then you can air dry them to prevent shrinking.
For a shopping bag that’s cute and functional, the Claudia Pearson International Women’s Day Everyday Tote is the one for you.
11. Picnic Blankets
That soft-sided blanket you toss in the car for beach days this summer? It’s probably machine washable. Choose a gentle cycle setting with warm water this time, and then low heat in the dryer. But to avoid any risk of shrinking, air drying is your best bet.
Before washing, give the blanket a quick shake outdoors to remove sand, leaves, or grass. If it’s got a waterproof or foam backing, double-check the care tag to avoid damaging the structure.
The Columbia Outdoor Blanket is an easy-to-clean option for washable picnic blankets if you’re looking for one for your upcoming outdoor adventures.
12. Travel Neck Pillows
If your travel pillow has a zippered, fabric cover, chances are it can survive the washer. Use a delicate cycle, cold water, and consider a mesh laundry bag to protect the zipper and seams. Just like the pillows on your bed, don’t forget to remove the inner pillow before washing. One air dry later, and it’s ready to use for your next long car ride or flight.
For a soft neck pillow, this memory foam version with a machine-washable cover is perfect for planes, trains, or long office days.
13. Camping Chair Covers
If your foldable camping chairs come with removable fabric seats or headrests, machine wash them on a gentle cycle. Washing them like this is an easy way to remove dirt, sweat, or mildew after a long weekend outside. Using cold water and following with an air dry helps preserve its water resistance.
Prolong your camping chair cover’s lifespan along with the chair itself by washing it regularly. For a reliable camping chair cover, consider this canvas chair cover.
14. Soft-Sided Coolers
Those flexible, insulated coolers used for beach days or camping trips can build up odors over time. If the liner is machine-washable, which can usually be found on the care tag, you’ll want to use warm water and a gentle detergent, then air dry fully before storing to avoid any mildew buildup.
Keep the Coleman Pro 15.7 qt. (24-Can) Soft Cooler clean so it can keep your food and drinks clean, too.
15. Travel Compression Cubes
These lightweight, zippered cubes keep your suitcase organized, but they pick up plenty of lint, sweat, and general grime throughout a trip.
The majority of fabric-based compression cubes are best machine washed on a delicate cycle, then left to air dry open and flat. Since they have zippers and seams, consider protecting them with a mesh laundry bag or pillow case.
Washing these is a simple way to keep your packing tools just as fresh as your clothes. If you’re ready to upgrade your packing process, consider these packing cubes for your next trip.
Toss It In: Your Washing Machine Can Handle It
Your washing machine can do a lot more than just clean clothes.
With the right prep and care, it becomes a low-effort way to keep everything from picnic blankets to pet beds fresh and pristine. And if you’re not sure about washing in the washer, check the label, consider using a mesh bag, and let the washer do the work.
