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This is a quick reminder to not forget to do your laundry today. This is also another quick reminder that not everything is washing-machine-and-dryer friendly.

To save you the trouble of finding that out for yourself, the lovely folks at Bored Panda have compiled this listicle to showcase all the nightmarish things that can happen if you don’t watch what you’re throwing into the wash. Or just nightmarish things that can happen, period. Washing machines do be evil like that sometimes.

#1

Shrunk My Favorite Top But There Was A Silver Lining

Shrunk My Favorite Top But There Was A Silver Lining

Far-Ad3429 Report

#2

Our Dryer Was Making A Strange Noise. My Mom Took It Apart And Collected The Contents

Our Dryer Was Making A Strange Noise. My Mom Took It Apart And Collected The Contents

THORneedsANOTHER Report

#3

My Mom Has This Hanging Above The Dryer In Her Laundry Room

My Mom Has This Hanging Above The Dryer In Her Laundry Room

Sn34kyMofo Report

So, a lot of things can happen in a washing machine if you don’t know what you’re doing. Hopefully, more often than not, the washing machine goes through the entire cycle without you needing to pick up the pieces of whatever that was left inside afterwards (or whatever that is left of the appliance in general).

But to kick off the list, don’t put anything into the washing machine that quite literally isn’t clothing or fabric. And even that comes with its own asterisks.

#4

Freaking Cat Shut Off The Washing Machine Mid-Cycle

Freaking Cat Shut Off The Washing Machine Mid-Cycle

hawkrew Report

#5

This Is What Happens When You Don't Separate Your Colors And Whites

This Is What Happens When You Don't Separate Your Colors And Whites

t.r.a.shh Report

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Libstak
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10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are supposed to use water, not fire. Seriously, though always clean lint from you filter in the dryer, imagine you put your clothes to dry before going to bed?

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#6

My Daughter Used Markers To Put “Makeup” On Her Dolls. I Tried To Wash Them. Cinderella Had An Especially Rough Night

My Daughter Used Markers To Put “Makeup” On Her Dolls. I Tried To Wash Them. Cinderella Had An Especially Rough Night

stephidabefida5 Report

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Firstname Lastname
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10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like she cried too hard when the prince realized he only wanted to date the Godmother version of her, and not post pumpkin Cindy.

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A quick-list of things to avoid putting into a conventional washing machine, that still fits the concept of clothing: suits, embellished clothing, clothes with zippers and buttons, swimsuits and bras, baby socks, throw blankets, sneakers with leather, clothes covered in pet hair, sweaters made out of delicate materials, lace garments, ties and memory foam pillows, just to name a few.

#7

David Bowie Cushion And Dog Blanket In Washing Machine

David Bowie Cushion And Dog Blanket In Washing Machine

Douglasqqq Report

#8

I've Accidentally Shrunk My Husband's Jacket. Husband For Scale

I've Accidentally Shrunk My Husband's Jacket. Husband For Scale

gielind Report

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#9

My Cat Knocked Over 2 Gallons Of Laundry Detergent Onto The Floor While I Was At Work (My Floor Is Not Blue, It’s White)

My Cat Knocked Over 2 Gallons Of Laundry Detergent Onto The Floor While I Was At Work (My Floor Is Not Blue, It’s White)

Cadyus Report

If some of these seem a bit strange, or you have been doing it with zero repercussions, then note that it depends. Suits, embellished clothes, and laced garments might seem like a no-brainer, but why are some of the others in this list? They’re there to serve as a warning.

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Clothes with zippers and buttons are fine, as long as there is not delicate clothing in the same wash as zippers are notoriously predatory pieces of fastening and can rip thin materials into shreds. And that’s a whole other can of beans that won’t come out in the wash.

#10

My Wife Opened A Washing Machine Full Of Towels And Found It Just Like This After The Cycle

My Wife Opened A Washing Machine Full Of Towels And Found It Just Like This After The Cycle

Rittmeister7 Report

#11

My Mom Washed My Favorite Sweater

My Mom Washed My Favorite Sweater

PhilEshaDeLox Report

#12

Putting Towels Covered In Dish Washing Liquid Into A Washing Machine Was A Bad Idea

Putting Towels Covered In Dish Washing Liquid Into A Washing Machine Was A Bad Idea

WitotU Report

Baby socks, like many other tiny clothes, can easily get sucked into the innards of the washing machine; bikinis and anything with elastic can become less elastic really quickly; bras can get hooked on internal washing machine parts easily; many blankets are surprisingly dry wash only, so watch the tag; pet hair can quickly suffocate your washing machine; leather accents often peel off of clothes (and then get gobbled up by the crevices of the drum), and things like sweaters made of wool, velvet or cashmere demand delicacy in general—just hand-wash them.

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#13

Washing Machine Decided To Eat Itself

Washing Machine Decided To Eat Itself

nomaddd79 Report

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C L
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well if you'd clean the gasket once in a while so I don't have to

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#14

My Grandmother Accidentally Put One Of Her Leather Gloves In The Washing Machine

My Grandmother Accidentally Put One Of Her Leather Gloves In The Washing Machine

besteella Report

#15

Over Two Months Of Laundry Has Generated Thirty Two Unmatched Socks. How?

Over Two Months Of Laundry Has Generated Thirty Two Unmatched Socks. How?

colemanjanuary Report

Washing machines function very similarly to humans in the sense that everything has to be done in moderation. Hence, too little or too much laundry detergent or soap might lead to disappointing washing results. Since a lot of the machine’s cleaning efficiency depends on clothes rubbing against each other, too much soap might reduce friction to a degree where it doesn’t really clean itself. And too little detergent is self-explanatory.

#16

I Don't Think I Had To Wash That

I Don't Think I Had To Wash That

BugsyShort Report

#17

My Wife Left A Pen In Her Pants' Pocket

My Wife Left A Pen In Her Pants' Pocket

Crrrrraig Report

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#18

There Were 12 Minutes Left In The Washing Cycle When I Saw This

There Were 12 Minutes Left In The Washing Cycle When I Saw This

No-Self7717 Report

Besides that, too much detergent, yet not enough water to rinse it off in the end might also lead to skin irritation while wearing the clothes. It might even lead to dermatitis.

Oh, and, apparently, too much detergent might also mean your clothes might smell bad in the end. How? If there’s not enough water to rinse it off, that means both the detergent and whatever odor-causing bacteria that’s present there won’t come off. So, that nasty stain you got there on your sweater might become even nastier without you really noticing it.

#19

My New Roommate Was Complaining About Her Dryer Not Working Very Well, So I Checked The Lint Trap. Coin For Size Reference

My New Roommate Was Complaining About Her Dryer Not Working Very Well, So I Checked The Lint Trap. Coin For Size Reference

Mofat_ Report

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C L
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is it with people that they don't clean the lint trap every time? Not only this, but huge fire hazard

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#20

Received On March 13th. Washed And Dried On March 17th. Fastest $205 I've Ever Lost

Received On March 13th. Washed And Dried On March 17th. Fastest $205 I've Ever Lost

CatDadMilhouse Report

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Lee
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go easy on your passport guys- I’m only 36 years old and have already been investigated into possibly selling my passports (lost 4 adult passports by the age of 25 on nights out-I’m totally sober now for what it’s worth.) I’ve been told if I lose my current one I’ll only ever be allowed temporary passports for the rest of my life. (UK.)

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#21

I Can’t Do My Laundry At My Apartment Because The Internet Is Down

I Can’t Do My Laundry At My Apartment Because The Internet Is Down

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Libstak
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10 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And this is reason 2342 why we don't need everything bleeping connected to the internet.

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But that’s just one side of the coin—the washing machine wants some love and care too.

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To finish off with the previous point of too much detergent, using the right detergent and less of it is also key to keeping the washing machine healthy. Modern detergents are designed for modern machines, which use less water with higher efficiency. Otherwise, there’s going to be a lot of suds out there.

#22

My Wife Said She Had Something Crazy To Show Me After We Ate Lunch

My Wife Said She Had Something Crazy To Show Me After We Ate Lunch

bigandy1105 Report

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Amanda Rose
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a new one to me. I never really thought about that being a possibility.

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#23

Washing Machine Moved A Few Inches While Washing And Now The Door Won’t Open. Help

Washing Machine Moved A Few Inches While Washing And Now The Door Won’t Open. Help

vampirethursday Report

#24

This Is Why I Can’t Have Nice Things. Two-Week-Old Oversized Jumper Now Fits My Two-Year-Old Because I Accidentally Washed It In The Machine

This Is Why I Can’t Have Nice Things. Two-Week-Old Oversized Jumper Now Fits My Two-Year-Old Because I Accidentally Washed It In The Machine

thekatelawler Report

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Daniela Lavanza
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why I don't but "hand wash only" products. If they can't be cleaned even with special machine cycles, it's just not worth the time spent on washing them.

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Besides that, keeping the washing machine level means it’s not gonna lose balance and go for a stroll. Or collapse altogether.

Regularly inspecting the water-fill hoses for cracks, cleaning the dispenser drawer and the lint filter of any suds and lint buildup, and preventing mold by doing a drum clean cycle every month are key to a healthy washing machine. Otherwise, the smell is going to be the least of your concern.

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#25

My Amazing Boyfriend Tried To Help Out By Putting The Wet Blackout Curtains In The Dryer On High. I Love Him

My Amazing Boyfriend Tried To Help Out By Putting The Wet Blackout Curtains In The Dryer On High. I Love Him

TheCatWranglerX Report

#26

Don’t Wash A Blanket With A Fitted Sheet. Still Suffering From PTSD From The Sound

Don’t Wash A Blanket With A Fitted Sheet. Still Suffering From PTSD From The Sound

DocMock Report

#27

Our Washer Decided To Become A Smoke Machine

Our Washer Decided To Become A Smoke Machine

Linolas9 Report

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But if you take care of your machinery and need a different takeaway from this listicle, why not throw these fun washing machine facts in casual conversation:

The first commercially-available washing machine for regular Joes in the U.S. was called Thor and it was released in 1908; the first ever washing machine was rolled out in the 1760s and it was basically a manual-rotation wooden box; it took 4 decades of innovation to reduce water consumption per cycle from 181 liters to just 45.

#28

Putting These Shoes In The Dryer Was A Bad Idea

Putting These Shoes In The Dryer Was A Bad Idea

Bmchris44 Report

#29

6 Pieces Of Clothing Knotting In The Dryer

6 Pieces Of Clothing Knotting In The Dryer

Commander_Meat Report

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Have any washing machine nightmares of your own (whether it was just a dream or you experienced it firsthand)? Share your stories in the comment section below!

But if you haven’t had your fill of washing machine campfire horror stories, you can always jump into the Bored Panda rabbit hole to see another disastrous laundry listicle.

#30

Half Of These Pants Shrunk In The Wash

Half Of These Pants Shrunk In The Wash

vestahound Report

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Lee
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wear them on TikTok- they’re dumb enough to become a trend.

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#31

Anyone Else Have To Remove Their Washer Agitator Because They Washed A New Box Of Staples, Or Is It Just Me?

Anyone Else Have To Remove Their Washer Agitator Because They Washed A New Box Of Staples, Or Is It Just Me?

kungfoofighter80 Report

#32

Let’s Just Say That We Ended Up With Very Clean Laundry Room Floor. And Yes, I’m An Idiot

Let’s Just Say That We Ended Up With Very Clean Laundry Room Floor. And Yes, I’m An Idiot

lyricmeowmeow Report

#33

Put Our Clothes In The Communal Dryer. They Came Out With Someone’s Dog Hair On Everything

Put Our Clothes In The Communal Dryer. They Came Out With Someone’s Dog Hair On Everything

CheekyLilKunt Report

#34

Missed My Pocket Knife In The Laundry

Missed My Pocket Knife In The Laundry

paramedTX Report

#35

Doing Laundry Is Exhausting

Doing Laundry Is Exhausting

BaxterTheMoose Report

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#36

The Soap Jug Fell To The Floor In The Laundry Room

The Soap Jug Fell To The Floor In The Laundry Room

LemonLawsforPeople Report

#37

Forgetting To Remove Paper From Your Pocket Before Doing The Laundry

Forgetting To Remove Paper From Your Pocket Before Doing The Laundry

reddit.com Report

#38

Tried To Wash My Pillows. They Exploded And Filled My Washing Machine With Sticky Blue And Green Pillow Fluff

Tried To Wash My Pillows. They Exploded And Filled My Washing Machine With Sticky Blue And Green Pillow Fluff

reddit.com Report

#39

Accidentally Forgot My FiancĂ©e’s Favorite Stuffed Animal In The Clothes While Doing Laundry, I’m In For A Rough Night

Accidentally Forgot My FiancĂ©e’s Favorite Stuffed Animal In The Clothes While Doing Laundry, I’m In For A Rough Night

_BARONVOND3LTA Report

#40

Somehow Chucked A Dirty Nappy In The Washing Machine This Morning

Somehow Chucked A Dirty Nappy In The Washing Machine This Morning

couldntdecidemyname Report

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Mark
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10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

đŸŽ”it’s time to chuck the washing machine in the trashđŸŽ¶

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#41

My Neighbor Is Doing Some Laundry

My Neighbor Is Doing Some Laundry

Tom-o-matic Report

#42

A Brand New Full-Size Spiral Notebook In A Load Of Darks (Pic Taken After 2nd Wash)

A Brand New Full-Size Spiral Notebook In A Load Of Darks (Pic Taken After 2nd Wash)

LoIIip0p Report

#43

Guess Who Forgot Car Keys In The Jeans' Pocket... On A Laundry Day

Guess Who Forgot Car Keys In The Jeans' Pocket... On A Laundry Day

madmakeror1 Report

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Alan Green
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've done that. Car key went through a full wash and dry cycle and it still works just fine somehow. Didn't even have to change the battery.

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#44

My Clothes Were Ripped To Shreds Because The Laundry Machine Shattered

My Clothes Were Ripped To Shreds Because The Laundry Machine Shattered

Buzzy009 Report

#45

My Girlfriend Washed My Wool Sweater

My Girlfriend Washed My Wool Sweater

McAWESOMEMAN Report

#46

Guess I Didn’t Need To Watch TV Tonight

Guess I Didn’t Need To Watch TV Tonight

marefo Report

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LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it a common thing to put the remote into your POCKETS? Asking seriously. I always put mine back onto the arm of the couch after use, because I know I would otherwise lose it XD and yes, it’s a tiny Chromecast remote. Never once slipped it into a pocket XD

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#47

Boyfriend Tried To Wash A Pillow

Boyfriend Tried To Wash A Pillow

splanderson Report

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Mia Black
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eeew wet feathers are sticky and stinky and very hard to get rid of... Your will find ones even after years

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#48

Did The Laundry Today. Dryer Caught On Fire 30 Minutes Later

Did The Laundry Today. Dryer Caught On Fire 30 Minutes Later

Doom-M Report

#50

Found This In The Washing Machine In My Building

Found This In The Washing Machine In My Building

MonkyThrowPoop Report

Note: this post originally had 75 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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