Handyman Scott Flint, who has worked as an appliance repair technician for 30 years, has revealed why it’s a bad idea for people to put their bath mats in the washing machine – and it could cost you up to £400
When we step out of a steamy shower feeling clean, warm and on top of the world, nothing brings us back down to earth quite as quickly as putting our feet down on a sodden bath mat.
So it always feels nice when we chuck them into the washing machine with our towels and know we don’t have to worry about them for a while.
But one handyman, who spends his days repairing home appliances including washing machines, has explained that it’s not actually that easy to clean a bath mat.
Scott Flint, who has over 30 years’ experience as a repair technician, said putting bath mats in the washing machine is the worst thing you can do with them.
In an interview with Taste of Home, he said: “The problem is, bathroom mats absorb so much water that they end up weighing far more than the washer was designed to handle.”
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And because modern washing machines spin much more quickly than they used to, it creates a strong force when heavier items are being flung around.
With the extra weight thumping around the basin, it can cause damage to the washing machine and even tear it apart completely.
He added the rubbery texture on the bottom of bath mats – which is important to keep them in place on the bathroom floor – can often come off and disintegrate in the high temperatures of the wash.
This then clogs up the motor line and can block the drain pump.
Even if your mat doesn’t have a rubbery bottom, the thick fibres from the mat can still cause blockages – and these can cost as much as £180 to fix each time.
And if the spin basket itself has been damaged, this can cost close to £400.
For those worrying their spin basket might be damaged from washing their bathmat (or other heavy items), Scott recommends giving it a little nudge.
If it makes a loud clunking sound, then it could be damaged – as they’re meant to make very little noise.
And for those wondering how on earth you’re meant to wash your bath mat if you can’t put it in the washing machine, don’t fret – Scott has a very simple solution.
Instead of using your own washing machine, pop down to the laundrette – where the machines are heavy duty and designed to hold much heavier items like sleeping bags and rugs.
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