There’s something almost soothing about the steady hum of washing machines and dryers at your local laundromat. Load up, hit start, and your dirty laundry slowly turns into crisp, warm, good‑smelling clothes.
But there’s a hidden rulebook that most people don’t realise exists and breaking it can wreck machines, ruin your clothes, or even shut down an entire laundromat for the afternoon.
Australian laundromat owners have seen it all from sodden rugs dripping black water to mystery stains that could make a grown adult gag. So if you’re heading to your local laundrette in Brisbane, Bondi or Ballarat, here’s what you should never put in those machines and why.
1. Oily or Greasy Rags
This is the big one. If you’ve been working on the car, fixing up the mower, or oiling the deck, you might be tempted to chuck those rags straight into the nearest front loader. Don’t.
Why it’s a problem:
- Oils and solvents can create a fire risk when the rags hit a hot dryer.
- The grease coats the inside of the drum and hoses, meaning the next person’s white school shirts come out with mystery stains.
- Some laundromats have had to call in professional cleaners or even replace machines because of oil contamination.
What to do instead:
Take them to a commercial cleaner, or wash them at home in a bucket with a heavy‑duty degreaser. The laundromat is for clothes, not for cleaning up after a weekend of mechanical adventures.
2. Pet Bedding – Unless You Do This First
We all love our dogs and cats, but laundromat owners aren’t quite as fond of their fur. Pet bedding is one of the most common culprits for clogged filters and machines that “just don’t smell right” afterwards.
The Aussie context:
Plenty of us in Australia let the dog sleep on the sofa, or even in bed. That means there’s a steady flow of hairy doonas and dog blankets making their way to laundromats, especially after a trip to the beach (especially ooking at our QLD washers on this one).
The problem:
- Pet hair clogs drains and pumps, leading to costly breakdowns.
- Sand, dirt and grass from the backyard can scratch machine interiors.
- Some bedding smells so bad the next customer will definitely notice.
Fix it:
Shake, vacuum, or hose off pet bedding outside first. Some laundromats even have signs banning pet gear entirely – not because they hate dogs, but because one too many Labradors have caused a service call.
3. Heavy Rugs or Mats
That old hallway runner might technically fit in the drum, but the weight once it’s soaked will make the machine work like it’s washing a lead slab.
Why laundromats hate this:
- Overweight loads cause machines to strain and, sometimes, break.
- Spinning off‑balance rugs can damage the bearings.
- Rubber‑backed mats shed little crumbs that block drains and pumps.
Tip: If the mat barely squeezes into the machine, it’s too big. Dry cleaning or a commercial laundromat with extra‑heavy machines is the safer option.
4. Items with Solvents, Paint or Flammable Residue
It’s not just greasy rags that are risky. Anything soaked in petrol, thinners, kerosene, or paint should be kept well away from a laundromat.
There have been real cases – even in Australia – of dryer fires started by clothes or rags contaminated with flammable liquids.
Bottom line:
If you wouldn’t put it in your own washer at home, don’t use a public one. These machines don’t just “rinse it away.”
5. Memory Foam Pillows or Cushions
This one surprises people. Memory foam is great for sleep, but terrible for washing machines.
Once soaked, foam acts like a sponge, holding onto litres of water. That means:
- The load becomes far too heavy.
- The foam starts to crumble in the machine.
- You end up with little yellow foam bits stuck to the drum (and to your jeans next load).
Safe bet: Wash the covers only. The foam itself can usually be spot cleaned or aired out.
6. Anything with an Unseen Surprise
Sometimes the most damage isn’t from what you think you’re washing, but what’s hiding in the pockets.
Aussie laundromat owners regularly fish out:
- Crayons (melt in the dryer and coat everything in rainbow wax)
- Fishing sinkers (dent drums)
- Tissues (turn a black hoodie into a snow globe)
- Coins (jam the drain pump)
A quick pocket check is boring, but it saves a lot of drama.
Quick Reference Table: What’s a No‑Go in Laundromats?
Don’t Wash These | Why Not? | Better Option
Oily or greasy rags | Fire hazard, stains next customer’s clothes | Hand wash or commercial cleaner
Pet bedding (un‑shaken) | Fur clogs machines, smells linger | Shake/vacuum outside first
Heavy rugs, mats, or horse blankets | Overloads machine, damages bearings | Use commercial laundry or dry cleaner
Items with paint, petrol or thinners | Can ignite in dryer, toxic residue | Dispose safely or hand clean
Memory foam pillows | Foam soaks water, crumbles, damages machine | Wash covers only
Pocket surprises | Coins, crayons, tissues cause blockages and mess | Always check before loading
The Bigger Picture – Why This Stuff Matters
It’s easy to think “one load won’t hurt,” but laundromats rely on those machines running smoothly for everyone. One broken pump can shut down half the shop for a day, meaning missed washing for students, tradies, or that poor mum trying to get five soccer uniforms clean before Saturday.
Plus, replacing a commercial washer isn’t cheap – we’re talking thousands of dollars. And guess what? Those costs usually end up baked into future prices for everyone.
So the takeaway is simple: If it’s flammable, filthy beyond belief, or so heavy it could squash your toes – keep it out of the laundromat machine.