Why You Really Want To Make Sure Your Pockets Are Empty Before Doing Laundry
On average, washing machines and dryers should provide adequate service for 10 to 13 years. However, from using too much detergent to overfilling, there are many ways that people shorten the lifespan of their washing machines. Of them all, putting items that do not belong in the wash is the worst and most common mistake that many people make.
It's a simple and honest mistake. Everyone forgets to empty their pockets every once in a while. That being said, pockets full of loose items like change, paper clips, and gum are detrimental to a washing machine. Small items can damage a machine's drain pump, clog the water drain, and even break the glass window of a front-loading washer during a wash cycle. All of these problems are extremely serious and could end up totaling your washing machine. You'll find yourself stuck washing your laundry the old-fashioned way — or on your way to your local appliance store. Taking a few simple precautions can help prevent a catastrophe.
Avoid potential disasters
Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent disaster in your laundry room and correct a bad situation before it turns catastrophic. The first, easiest, and most obvious solution is to take preventative measures. Get in the habit of removing loose items that you have accumulated in your pockets throughout each day before putting your clothes in the laundry basket. Then, when it's time to wash these clothes, check the pockets again thoroughly before putting them in the machine.
If anything gets past you and ends up in your laundry cycle along with your clothes, it doesn't always mean that your washing machine is on its way out. Loose change often makes a lot of noise when spinning around a washer, which is a good signal for you to stop the machine and remove any loose items being thrown around. If they go unnoticed during a cycle, coins (or bobby pins, paper clips, and other random items) end up in the coin trap. This should be examined and emptied regularly to avoid clogging the machine's drainage system.