Most of us just toss clothes in the washing machine without thinking twice. But what if I told you that thing sitting in your laundry room can do so much more than clean your jeans?
From stuff in your kitchen to things scattered around your house, the list might seriously surprise you. Some of these items had me doing a double take — and I think you’ll feel the same way!
1.) Yoga Mats
Yoga mats can get pretty gross after a few sweaty sessions, but tossing them in the washing machine is an easy fix. Just check the care label first, since some materials handle machine washing better than others.
Use cold water and a gentle cycle with a small amount of mild detergent. Skip the dryer completely — heat can break down the mat’s material. Instead, roll it out flat and let it air dry fully before your next workout.
2.) Shower Curtains
Shower curtains collect soap scum, mildew, and all kinds of gunk over time, but you don’t have to toss them. Most fabric and even plastic curtains can go straight into the washing machine.
Wash them on a gentle cycle with warm water and a little detergent. Toss in a couple of towels to help scrub off residue. Skip the dryer for plastic ones — just hang them back up to air dry and you’re good to go.
3.) Backpacks
Your everyday backpack takes a beating — think gym trips, school hallways, and muddy hikes. The good news is most backpacks can go right in the washing machine.
Empty all the pockets first, then toss it in on a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent. Skip the dryer though — air drying is the way to go to keep the shape and straps intact.
Always check the care label first, especially if your bag has a frame or leather trim.
4.) Pet Beds
Your dog or cat’s bed can get pretty gross between the fur, dander, and general pet smell. The good news is most pet beds can go straight into the washing machine.
Check the label first, and if the bed has a removable cover, wash that separately. Use a gentle cycle with warm water and an unscented detergent to avoid irritating your pet’s skin. Toss it in the dryer on low heat, or let it air dry completely before giving it back to your furry friend.
5.) Baseball Caps
Baseball caps can get pretty gross after a while — sweat, dirt, and general grime build up fast. The good news is you can toss most of them in the washing machine without ruining the shape.
Use a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. It’s smart to place the cap in a mesh laundry bag to protect it. Skip the dryer though — let it air dry on a rounded surface, like a bowl, to help it keep its shape.
6.) Reusable Shopping Bags
Reusable shopping bags take a beating — think produce drips, raw meat leaks, and all kinds of mystery spills. The good news is most fabric bags can go right in the washing machine on a regular cycle with cold water.
Just skip the dryer if your bags have any plastic handles or reinforced bottoms, since heat can warp them. Air drying keeps them in better shape longer. A clean bag also means fewer germs making it into your kitchen.
7.) Bathroom Rugs
Bathroom rugs collect so much more than you’d think — dead skin, hair, moisture, and whatever gets tracked in from the hallway. Tossing them in the washing machine is way easier than trying to scrub them by hand.
Use cold or warm water and a gentle cycle to keep the backing intact. Skip the fabric softener since it can break down the rubber or latex underneath. Air drying is your best bet to help the rug keep its shape and grip.
8.) Stuffed Animals
Stuffed animals go through a lot — drool, spills, sneezes, and who knows what else. The good news is most of them can go right in the washing machine without falling apart.
Toss them in a mesh laundry bag to protect any loose parts or embroidery. Use a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent. Skip the dryer if the animal has glued-on eyes or accessories — air drying is the safer bet to keep everything intact.
9.) Keyboard Covers
If your keyboard cover has gotten grimy from daily use, good news — you can toss it in the washing machine. These silicone covers pick up oils, crumbs, and dust pretty fast, so a good wash makes a real difference.
Just use a gentle cycle with cold water and let it air dry completely before putting it back on your keyboard. Avoid hot water or the dryer, since heat can warp the shape and ruin the fit.
10.) Pillows
Yes, your pillows are actually machine washable — and honestly, you should be doing it way more often. They collect sweat, dead skin cells, and dust mites over time, which is kind of gross when you think about it.
Toss two pillows in at once to keep the load balanced, and use a gentle cycle with warm water. Add an extra rinse cycle to make sure all the soap gets out. Dry them completely on low heat before putting them back on your bed.
11.) Sneakers
Yes, your sneakers can actually go in the washing machine — no scrubbing required. Toss them in on a gentle, cold-water cycle with a small amount of detergent, and they’ll come out looking much cleaner than before.
A couple of things to keep in mind: remove the laces and insoles first and wash those separately. Also, throw in a few old towels to cushion the load and cut down on noise. Skip the dryer though — air drying keeps the shape intact.
12.) Lunch Boxes
Lunch boxes can get pretty gross after a while — old food smells, sticky residue, and mystery stains that just won’t wipe off. Instead of scrubbing by hand, toss them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water.
Make sure to remove any metal hardware or inserts first, and leave the zipper open if there is one. Let it air dry completely before packing it again to avoid mold or mildew building up inside.
13.) Mop Heads
Mop heads collect a lot of dirt and bacteria over time, so it makes sense to actually clean them instead of just spreading germs around your floors. The good news is that most mop heads can go right in the washing machine.
Toss it in with hot water and a little detergent. If it’s especially grimy, add a cup of white vinegar to help cut through the buildup. Let it air dry completely before using it again to avoid mildew.
14.) Car Floor Mats
Car floor mats take a beating — mud, crumbs, spilled coffee, you name it. The good news is most rubber or fabric mats can go straight into the washing machine without any issues.
Just shake out the loose dirt first, then toss them in on a gentle cycle with cold water. Skip the dryer though — let them air dry completely before putting them back in your car. Otherwise, trapped moisture can lead to mold, and that’s a whole other problem.
15.) Oven Mitts
Oven mitts take a beating in the kitchen — grease splatters, sauce drips, and burn marks add up fast. The good news is that most oven mitts can go straight into the washing machine on a warm, gentle cycle.
Just toss them in with a little detergent and let the machine do the work. Skip the bleach, though, since it can break down the fabric over time. Air drying is your best bet to keep them in good shape longer.
16.) Dish Drying Mats
Dish drying mats sit out on your counter all day, soaking up water and catching food drips — so yeah, they get pretty gross over time. The good news is you can toss most of them right in the washing machine.
Just check the care label first, use a gentle cycle with warm water, and skip the fabric softener. Let it air dry afterward so it keeps its absorbency. Easy way to keep your kitchen a little cleaner without much effort.
17.) Shower Loofahs
Shower loofahs can get pretty gross over time — they trap dead skin, soap scum, and moisture, which makes them a breeding ground for bacteria. Instead of tossing them, just throw them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with warm water and a little detergent.
Let them air dry completely afterward so mildew doesn’t set in. Doing this every week or two can seriously extend how long your loofah lasts while keeping it a lot cleaner.
18.) Duvet Covers
Duvet covers can absolutely go in the washing machine — most people just assume they’re too bulky to bother. Toss it in on a gentle cycle with cold water, and you’re good to go.
The one thing to watch out for is bunching. Use a couple of dryer balls or clean tennis balls in the dryer to keep the fabric moving evenly. Wash every one to two weeks, and your bed will feel noticeably fresher without any extra effort.
19.) Curtains
Curtains collect way more dust, pet hair, and allergens than most people realize — but taking them down and hand-washing them sounds like a whole project. Good news: most curtains can go straight into the washing machine.
Use a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent. Skip the dryer if possible and hang them back up while still slightly damp — the weight helps smooth out wrinkles naturally.
Always check the care label first, since some lined or embroidered panels need extra caution.
20.) Couch Cushion Covers
Couch cushion covers can get pretty gross over time — crumbs, pet hair, spills, you name it. The good news is that most removable covers are totally machine washable.
Just check the tag first and use a gentle cycle with cold water to avoid shrinking. Wash them inside out to protect the fabric, and skip the dryer if possible — air drying helps them keep their shape and fit properly when you put them back on.
21.) Bath Toys
Bath toys get grimy fast — all that soap scum, mildew, and mystery gunk adds up quickly. The good news is you can toss most of them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water and a little detergent.
Just make sure to check for any battery compartments or electronic parts first. Stick them in a mesh laundry bag to keep everything together, then air dry completely before handing them back to the kids.
