These 6 Large Items Won't Fit In The Washing Machine — Here's How To Wash Them

A great washing machine is a must-have for a busy household, but they do have their limits. As any appliance pro will tell you, one of the worst things you can do is cram your washer with bulky items — both for the sake of the items you're washing and for the longevity of your machine.

If you're not sure if an item is too large to fit in the washing machine, you can first check your washer's capacity. Top-load washers tend to hold a higher capacity than front-load washers, though this can vary by model. If you have a high-efficiency machine, you may be able to fit in items that weigh around 20 pounds. But even if you don't know the actual measurements of your machine, you can try inserting your hand into the drum once you've loaded all your laundry inside. If your hand goes nowhere and bounces off your laundry, you've overloaded the machine. This means you may be disappointed with the quality of job your washer does in the end. What's more, you can cause internal strain and damage to your machine's parts. 

But, as we all know, messes don't confine themselves to the easily washable, especially when kids are involved. Below, we've rounded up six common items you're likely to find in any house with kids that may not fit easily into a washing machine or be safe to wash in the first place, along with tips on how to get them clean — and keep them that way. 

Giant stuffed animals are a giant headache once dirty, but you have more options than you think. Start by including any oversized plushies in your cleaning routine, applying a lint roller or hovering the soft brush vacuum attachment over the fur. For a full sanitation, try steam cleaning with a handheld device, or if you're dealing with a funky odor, sprinkle the cuddly pal with baking soda, let it sit, and vacuum fully. For any marks and smudges, spot-treat with a gentle stain remover or warm water and a mild detergent.

With comforters and quilts, the issue isn't always the size of the bedding but rather its weight once wet. These can become heavy enough to imbalance your machine's drum, causing the whole thing to slam against internal parts and even damage your floors. Instead, consider taking heavy bedding to a laundromat that has a large enough washer. If you'd prefer to wash them at home, you can also hand-treat your large bedding in your bathtub. Simply submerge in warm water with a few tablespoons of laundry detergent before rinsing and hanging to dry.

There are many reasons to clean your baby's crib mattress, from nighttime accidents to spit up and general hygiene. But rather than machine wash, you can surface clean with your vacuum and a soft brush attachment, a baby-safe stain remover, or a gentle mixture of baking soda and warm water. To remove odors, try sprinkling the entire mattress with baking soda, let it sit for the day, and vacuum. You can also air it out by opening a window or setting it outside in the sun.

Body pillows are great for comfortably managing your bump, but it's important to wash them periodically. You can spot treat, rubbing and blotting with a soft cloth, but if you need to give the whole thing a deep clean, it's best to do so in your bathtub. Simply soak the pillow in cold water and a mild detergent. Rinse, but don't wring the fabric if you want to preserve your favorite pillow's shape. Then, let it air dry completely.

With a little one roaming around on the floor, cleaning your pet bed is a definite must. You can remove fur with regular vacuuming, and even give it a solid shake outside for added measure. But for a bed that's too large for the washer, you'll again want to turn to your bathtub for help, this time using hot water and a detergent designed for pet odors or an enzyme cleaner if dealing with an accident. Add baking soda when the bed is particularly smelly, and leave in the sun to dry.

Washable rugs are perfect for high-traffic kid zones, but larger styles won't fit in the washer. You may need to send a truly messy rug to a commercial cleaner, but to clean an area rug at home, first take the rug outside and shake off any loose debris. Then, either soak the rug in cool water and a mild detergent in your bathtub, or, if your carpet's care label allows, invest in a carpet cleaning machine. These are designed to clean carpets and upholstery using water and a specially geared cleaning fluid.