Many people don’t realize that washing bathroom mats in a home washing machine can cause serious and expensive damage. If you’ve ever tossed a bulky mat into the washer thinking it would be fine, you’re not alone—but appliance experts warn that this habit can dramatically shorten the life of your machine.

With more than 30 years of hands-on experience, one veteran appliance technician has seen countless front-load washers destroyed because of something as simple as washing bathroom rugs. His advice is clear and straightforward:

Never wash bathroom mats in your home washing machine.
And once you learn why, you’ll understand exactly how costly that load of laundry can become. (Bonus: you might even consider switching to stone bath mats, which eliminate the problem altogether!)

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Why You Should Avoid Washing Bathroom Mats at Home

Modern front-load washers are designed with large, deep spin baskets that seem capable of handling oversized items—blankets, throws, bathroom mats, and anything else that looks fluffy but harmless. Unfortunately, that appearance is deceptive.

Bathroom mats—especially the plush, absorbent ones—soak up an extraordinary amount of water during a wash cycle. Once saturated, they can weigh far more than the washer is engineered to support. Combine that with today’s powerful spin cycles, which can reach speeds of 1,000–1,200 RPM, and you have a perfect recipe for mechanical overload.

This excessive weight and force can lead to two of the most common (and expensive) washing machine failures:

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1. The Drain Motor Can Get Clogged or Burn Out

Most bathroom mats include some form of rubber backing to prevent slipping. Over time—and especially in hot water—the rubber begins to deteriorate. During agitation, tiny rubber fragments break loose and make their way into the drain pump and motor. Once those pieces get stuck in the system, the pump can jam or burn out.

A drain motor replacement typically costs around $240 including parts and labor.

Even mats without rubber aren’t safe. Some of the fluffy, spa-like mats shed long fibers, which can wrap around the pump impeller and cause blockages.

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2. The Spin Basket Bearing Can Fail Under the Weight

The spin basket in a front-load washer is supported by a rear bearing that must withstand enormous force during high-speed cycles. When the washer spins with a heavy, waterlogged mat inside, that force multiplies—sometimes beyond what the bearing can handle.

Once the bearing wears out or breaks, the repair often exceeds $500.
To make matters worse, the “spider bracket” that supports the spin basket can also snap under the weight, and that repair costs roughly the same amount.

In short, one load of bathroom mats can do the kind of damage that most people assume takes years to accumulate.

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Already Washed Your Bathroom Mats? Here’s What to Check

If you’ve put bathroom mats in your washer before, don’t panic—your machine might still be in good condition. There’s a quick way to assess whether the internal components are still functioning properly.

1. Open the washer door and look at the gap between the metal spin basket and the plastic outer tub.
   If the gap is less than 1/8 inch, the washer is likely still in good shape.

2. Spin the drum gently with your hand.
   It should rotate smoothly and quietly.

3. If you hear clunking, grinding, or scraping noises, that’s an early sign the bearing is wearing out.

There’s an even more reliable test:

• Hold the plastic lip of the outer tub with one hand.

• With your other hand, grip the metal drum and try to push it up and down.

There should be almost no movement.
Excessive play indicates the bearing is failing.

Another telltale sign:
If your washer sounds like a jet engine taking off during the spin cycle, the rear bearing is already worn. The washer may still run, but noise will worsen until the machine eventually stops spinning altogether.

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So How Should You Clean Bathroom Mats and Other Bulky Items?

If you’re wondering what to do with dirty bathroom mats, comforters, or oversized blankets, the solution is surprisingly simple:

Use a commercial coin laundry.

Commercial washers are built with heavy-duty motors, larger bearings, and reinforced drums designed to handle bulky or water-soaked items—things that home machines simply aren’t built for.

If you continue washing oversized items in a home washer, don’t be surprised if you end up replacing the machine every 2–3 years, rather than every decade as expected.

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Other Items You Should Never Wash at Home

Bathroom mats aren’t the only culprits. These heavy items also strain your washer and can dramatically shorten its lifespan:

• Comforters (especially king-size)

• Sleeping bags

• Dog beds and pet blankets

• Drapes or long curtains

• Weighted blankets

• Area rugs or entryway mats

For all of these, a commercial laundromat is the safest option.