Having a
washing machine in your home makes it much easier to do laundry, but the convenience goes beyond clean clothes! There are many other items around your house that you may not realize are machine-washable, and we've a list of five household items that your washing machine can get a whole lot cleaner. As always, it's best to check the label on whatever you're washing to make double-sure it's not spot-clean only or dry-clean only. Please note that everything listed should be air-dried once it completes its laundry odyssey.
Shower Curtains
Why bother hand-scrubbing your mildew-ridden, soap-scummy shower curtains when you can just have a machine clean them? If your shower curtain and liner are made of plastic or vinyl, they're absolutely machine-washable. (If you've got a fabric shower curtain, check the cleaning instructions on the tag.) Remove the curtain from its rings, toss it into the washer, and add a couple of towels to the load for extra scrubbing power. Once the load is done, there's no need for the
dryer - just hang the curtains and the liner right back up. They're just going to get wet again anyway!
Mousepads
Oils and other crud from your hands can build up rather quickly on electronic and computer equipment. Obviously you shouldn't machine-wash a
mouse or keyboard, but most mousepads are fair game. Wash your mousepad in cold water on a gentle cycle, and let it dry in the sun.
Canvas Sneakers
A muddy trudge doesn't have to be a death knell for your Keds or Cons. Canvas shoes can go right into the wash for an easy cleaning. Be sure to remove the laces and any insoles if possible, and place the shoes in a mesh laundry bag before turning on the machine.
Mats and Small Rugs
The first step for machine-washing a small rug is to take it outside and give it a good shake so it enters your washer with as little debris on it as possible. If the rug has plastic or rubber backing, make sure it's fully intact; a backing that's cracked or chipping shouldn't go into your washing machine, as the pieces can break off and clog the inner workings. If you're using a top-load washer, balance the load by washing two mats at once, or add somewhat-weighty items like towels. Once the load is done, line-dry outside for best results.
Backpacks
Whether they're used for school, work, or traveling the world, backpacks certainly take their share of punishment. Fortunately, cleaning up your favorite knapsack is easier than you think. If your bag is made of something other than leather and it doesn't have any delicate details like beads or rhinestones, it can probably go in the washer. Make sure it's completely empty, and turn it inside out before placing it in the machine. Clean it on the gentle cycle, and if you want to be extra cautious, enclose it inside a mesh bag to make the tossing and turning less intense. Don't forget that many types of soft lunch bags and canvas grocery bags can be machine-washed, too.
If you're ready to bring the versatile cleaning power of a washer into your home, P.C. Richard & Son is the place to find it! We've got a fantastic selection of
top load washer and
front load washers in all sizes and price ranges, all from today's biggest brand names. No matter which model you choose, shopping with P.C. Richard & Son means getting it for the guaranteed lowest price. Get started now!