Why You Shouldn’t Be Washing Bath Mats in the Washer

Learn why washing bathroom mats in your machine can cause damage, and discover what to do when bulky items need cleaning.

With over 30 years of experience as an appliance technician, this expert has seen far too many front-load washing machines ruined by customers washing bathroom mats.

Bottom line: Never wash bathroom mats in your washing machine. Here’s why. P.S. These stone bath mats might make you say goodbye to your fabric mats forever.

Why Shouldn’t You Put Your Bathroom Mats in the Washer?

Most modern front-load washers feature large spin baskets that can handle big blankets and bathroom mats, which often leads customers to believe they can wash bulky, heavy items of any size. However, even the best bathroom mats can absorb so much water that they end up weighing more than the washer was designed to handle.

Today’s washers spin at much faster speeds—up to 1,200 revolutions per minute (RPM)—which creates tremendous force, especially with heavy items. This increased weight can cause significant damage to the washer.

If you attempt to wash bathroom mats in your machine, you risk two expensive problems:

1. It Can Ruin the Drain Motor
Many bathroom mats have a rubber backing that can break down during the wash cycle. The tiny rubber pieces can clog the drain pump and motor, often requiring a costly repair. Replacing the drain motor typically costs $240 for parts and labor. Even mats without rubber backing can cause issues. Some mats shed long fibers that can block the drain motor.

2. It Can Ruin the Spin Basket Bearing
The rear bearing that supports the spin basket bears the brunt of the damage caused by heavy bathroom mats and the high-speed spin cycle. If the bearing fails, the repair can cost upwards of $500. Additionally, the “spider bracket,” which holds up the spin basket, may break due to the added weight, and that repair also costs around $500.

What If You’ve Already Laundered Your Bathroom Mats?

If you’ve washed bathroom mats in the past, there may still be hope for your washer.

If the gap between the plastic tub and the metal spin basket is less than 1/8 inch, your washer may still have many years of service left. To check, open the door and spin the silver metal spin basket by hand. It should spin easily and smoothly with little noise.

If you hear a clunking noise as you spin it, your washer may be on its way out. Here’s a simple test to see if the washer is beyond repair:

Grab the plastic outer tub’s front lip with one hand.
With your other hand, grab the silver spin basket and try to rock it up and down while keeping the plastic outer tub still. There should be very little movement.

If the washer sounds like a jet taking off during high-speed spins, that indicates a worn-out rear bearing. The washer may still work for a while, but it will get progressively louder and eventually fail to spin.

How Should You Clean Your Bathroom Mats?

So, “What am I supposed to do with my dirty blankets and bathroom mats?” Top tip, use a coin laundry with powerful machines built for heavy items. If you continue to wash bulky items at home, expect to replace your washer every two to three years.