Camilla Jessen
It might seem harmless, but washing this with your towels could lead to major damage
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What seems like a simple laundry shortcut could end up costing you hundreds in repairs. According to household appliance expert Scott Flint, throwing your bath mat in the washing machine—especially alongside towels—is a bad idea that could damage your machine beyond repair.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Flint, who has over 30 years of experience in appliance repair, warned that bath mats become excessively heavy when wet, placing dangerous stress on the machine during spin cycles.
Modern washing machines can spin at up to 1,200 RPM, which means even small imbalances can become a big issue.
Bath mats, which soak up large volumes of water, can throw the machine off balance and strain key internal parts.
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“You risk blocked motors and damaged bearings,” says Flint. “A motor repair alone can cost around €227.87, while fixing or replacing the rear bearing, also known as the spider mount, can set you back around €402.”
In the worst-case scenario, one overloaded cycle could lead to damages totaling nearly €500.
Warning Signs and What to Do
If your machine suddenly becomes unusually loud during the spin cycle, Flint says it could be a sign that the rear bearing is already damaged—and it’s time to act before more harm is done.
His advice? Take heavy items like bath mats to a professional laundromat, where machines are built to handle the load.
While it may seem less convenient, it could save you from a costly breakdown.
Just because an item fits in your washing machine doesn’t mean it belongs there. Bath mats may appear harmless, but they can quickly become one of the most expensive items to clean incorrectly.