Washing Machines: Settings, Cleaning, and What You Can Wash

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A washing machine cleans clothes when the load can move, the detergent can rinse out, and the cycle matches the fabric. Overfilling is a common reason things come out dingy or still soapy. Settings and drum size also matter for bulky items such as a queen comforter or a week of family laundry.

Many “can I wash this?” questions have the same first step: read the care label, empty pockets, and decide whether the item should be in a bag, on a gentle cycle, or kept out of the machine. Shoes, hats, coats, and rugs are all possible at home in some cases, and a bad idea in others.

The guides below cover size and settings, what can go in the wash, cleaning the machine itself, and common parts and installation questions such as lid locks, drains, and hoses. For a step-by-step cleaning routine, start with how to clean a washing machine.

More laundry guides: Washers · Dryers · Detergents · Stains · Fabric care · Laundromats

Cleaning and common problems

How to Clean a Washing Machine — A step-by-step routine for cleaning a washer, including front-load and top-load machines.
Uproot vs Affresh: Washing Machine Cleaner Comparison — A comparison of two washing-machine cleaners, based on how they are sold and used.
How Long Can Clothes Sit in Washer? — What happens if a wet load sits, and how soon you should move it to the dryer or a line.
Why Is My Washer Leaking From Bottom? — Common causes of a leak at the base, from hoses and the pump to the door boot.
Why Is My Washer Not Draining? — Why a washer stops draining, including clogs, a pump, and a failed drain cycle.
Do Washer Machines Have Filters? — Where lint and drain filters live on different washers, and how to check them.
Why Does My Whirlpool Washer Say “Loc”? — The Whirlpool washer “Loc” control lock, and how to turn it off.

Size and cycle settings

What Size Washer Do You Need for a Queen Comforter? — Drum size and other limits when you want to wash a queen comforter at home.
What Size Washer Do I Need for a Family of 4? — How to think about capacity for a household of four, not a single magic number.
What Washer Setting for Bedding Is Best? — Cycle choices for sheets and bedding, including water temperature and soil level.
What Washer Setting to Use for Towels? — A practical towel cycle, including why towels need room to rinse.
What Washer Setting for Blankets? — Settings for washable blankets, and when the item is too bulky for the drum.
What Washer Setting for Pillows? — How to wash pillows that the label allows, including pairing them for a balanced load.
What Washer Setting for Bath Mats? — Washing bath mats, including rubber backs that do not belong in the machine.
What Washer Setting for Underwear? — A straightforward underwear cycle, including when to use hot water or a bag.
What Washer Setting for Baby Clothes? — Gentle options for baby clothes, including detergent choice and extra rinsing.
What Washer Setting for Hoodies? — How to wash hoodies so they keep their shape, including draws and fleece.
What Washer Setting for Hats? An In-Depth Guide — Which hats can go in a washer and on what cycle, and which should be hand-washed.
What Washer Setting for Stuffed Animals? — Washing stuffed toys that the label allows, often in a bag on a gentle cycle.
What Washer Setting for Ruggable? — How to wash a Ruggable-style rug cover, following the product’s own directions.

What you can wash

Can You Put Jordans in the Washer? — Whether Jordan sneakers can go in a washer, and when a wipe-down is safer.
Can You Put Jordan 4s in the Washer? — A closer look at washing Jordan 4s, including materials that do not like a machine.
Can You Put Shoes in the Washer with Clothes? — Why shoes and clothes usually should not share a cycle.
Can You Put Leather Shoes in the Washer? — Why leather shoes should stay out of the washing machine.
Can You Put Hats in the Washer? — Which hats survive a wash, and how to dry them so they keep their shape.
Can I Put a Jansport Backpack in the Washer? — Washing a typical canvas backpack, including emptying pockets and air-drying.
Can You Put a Coat in the Washer? — When a coat is machine-washable, and when it needs the cleaners.
Can You Put a Letterman Jacket in the Washer? — Why many letterman jackets are a poor fit for a home washer.
Can you put Football Gloves in the Washing Machine? — Cleaning football gloves without wrecking the grip, including wash-bag tips.
Can You Put a Shower Liner in the Washer? — Washing a plastic shower liner, and how to keep it from tearing or melting in a dryer.
Can You Wash a Runner Rug in the Washer? — Which runner rugs can be washed at home, and when they are too heavy or unstable.

Running the machine

Can You Run a Washer Empty? — When an empty cycle is useful, including cleaning the machine.
Can You Shower While the Washer Is Running? — Sharing house water pressure and hot water with a running washer.
Will a Washer Work Without a Lid Lock? — Why many washers will not start if the lid or door lock has failed.
Will Bed Bugs Die in the Washer? — What a hot wash and dryer can do to bed bugs on washable items, and the limits.

Installation, parts, and brands

How Long Do Washer Machines Last? — Typical washing-machine lifespan, and maintenance that can shorten or stretch it.
Does a Washer Need a Dedicated Circuit? — Why a washer often has its own circuit, and what happens when it shares one.
Why Do Lights Flicker When Washer Is On? — Flickering lights during a cycle, including a stressed circuit or a failing motor.
Does a Washer Drain Need a Vent? — Standpipe and drain-vent questions, and why a washer drain can gurgle or overflow.
Do I Need a Drain Pan for My Washer? — When a drain pan is a good idea, especially on an upper floor.
Are Washer Hoses Universal? — Fill-hose fittings and lengths, and why “universal” is only partly true.
Does a Washer Go On Top or Bottom? — In a stacked pair, why the washer usually sits on the bottom.
Can You Take the Agitator Out of a Washer? — Removing an agitator, and whether the machine is designed to run without it.
Can You Use a Washer Without a Pulsator Cap? — What a missing pulsator cap means, and whether the machine should be used that way.
Why Are Front Load Washers Better? — The usual tradeoffs of front-loaders versus top-loaders, not a single winner for every home.
Are Amana Washers Good? — A brand overview of Amana washers, without invented rankings.
Are Electrolux Washers Good? — A brand overview of Electrolux washers, without invented rankings.

Product picks

A washing machine cleaner can help with odor and residue when you follow the product directions. These are examples currently listed from Amazon. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a washer empty?

Yes, for some jobs, such as a cleaning cycle with a washer cleaner or a rinse after a spill. You would not use an empty cycle to wash clothes. See the empty-cycle guide for when it helps and when it does not.

Will a washer work without a lid lock?

Usually no, on machines that require a lid or door lock to start. The lock is a safety feature. A failed lock typically needs a repair rather than a workaround. Front-loaders use a door lock for the same reason.

How do I clean a washing machine?

Run a cleaning cycle or a hot cycle with a product made for washers, wipe the door, gasket, and detergent drawer, and leave the door open to dry when you can. Our washing-machine cleaning guide has the step-by-step, including a comparison of two cleaner brands.

What size washer do I need for a queen comforter?

A comforter needs enough drum space to move and rinse, which is larger than a typical everyday load. Capacity is listed in cubic feet on the washer, but the comforter’s fill and a tight zipper also matter. See the queen-comforter size guide rather than guessing from a single number.