How to Find Lost Items in a Washing Machine

The washing machine is undoubtedly one of the key appliances in every modern home because it saves people the stress of frequently going to a local laundromat, which, in the long run, costs more money than purchasing a new washing machine. As a washing machine owner, it’s important to be familiar with how your washing machine operates, which is mostly determined by the type you get. Top-loading and front-loading washers may be tasked with the same responsibility, but they carry it out differently, and that shows how unique both machine types are.

There are many benefits that come with using a washer such as the convenience to do your laundry from the comfort of your home, or, if you invest in a large-capacity washer, you can wash as many clothes as possible, including comforters, duvets, and blankets. Thankfully, no matter what you’re looking for on the market today, you’re guaranteed to get it because many washing machine manufacturers are doing all they can to ensure that their consumers have enough options to choose from when it’s time to purchase a washer. Even if you’re on a budget, you can always get a washer within your price range, such as these portable washing machines under $400.

There’s enough going on in the modern world as technology has changed our perceptions about life, therefore making the best tech-inspired appliances available to us to make up for the crazy times. Let’s face it, nobody enjoys domestic chores, but we have to do them anyway because they’re very important and some of them can have direct impacts on our health. As a result, we’ve seen people invest thousands of dollars in domestic appliances such as the refrigerator, blender, washing machine, cooking range, and dishwasher among many others.

Getting familiar with how your washing machine operates should be one of the first few things you should do when you’ve just acquired a new washing machine because the knowledge will come in handy and can help you solve a lot of problems. If you’re buying a top-loading washing machine, you should know that it’s also available in two types – with an agitator and without an agitator (this is the impeller-type washer). Both may be top-loaders, but they function differently, thanks to the different components they have in them.

We have a detailed guide on the differences between an agitator and an impeller, even though both components can only be found in top-loading washers.

Knowing the differences between these two components is the first step to choosing the perfect option for you, especially when you’re stuck between them. Using an agitator-type washing machine, you need need to be prepared to spend a lot of money on clothes because using an agitator-washer frequently will cause your clothes to wear and tear soo enough due to the aggressive nature of the washer. That doesn’t come without saying that the component doesn’t have the reasons that still make it the more popular option compared to an impeller-type washer.

Clothes getting stuck under agitator is not unusual because of how the washer operates, so if you’re using an agitator-type washing machine, these are things you should learn to deal with. If you’ve ever asked yourself why do clothes get stuck under an agitator, we bet you’ve been inquisitive about the right things because these are the questions you should ask to avoid surprises or disappointments when they finally spring up. Knowing how to find lost items in a top-loading washing machine or how to find lost socks in a top-loading washing machine because it has an agitator will help you avert a lot of issues as long as you get the steps correctly.

Getting your clothes stuck in the washer requires some level of knowledge on how to remove something stuck in a washing machine to get the clothes out. The washing machine can be very tricky because we know there are things you would not intentionally put in the washing machine but can cause you some stress, and even the washer harm, if you ever allow them in your washer. According to Stores of a House, people lose their items in the washer for some practical reasons, some of which you may have also done in the past or still doing now.

Before we get into the different steps involved in finding lost items in your washing machine, we’d like to explore some of the things you should never let in your washing machine as this can also prevent you from losing important items in your washing machine.

4 Things You Should Never Let In Your Washer

We can talk about how to find lost items in washing machine how we want. Still, if we don’t discuss the things you should never let in your washing washer that can cause you to start finding lost items, we’re not doing enough justice to the topic. After all, prevention is better than cure, so why get into the situation when you can avoid it in the first place before it ever happens?

We won’t also deny how tempting it is to toss all your dirty clothes in the washing machine, set the right wash cycle, or even control the washer from your smartphone if it’s one of the smart washing machines in production – and let the washer take care of the rest. The idea is tempting because it brings some extra convenience, which is why some people invest in washing machines in the first place. However, it’s not as easy as it sounds because, this way, it’s very easy to damage your clothes or whatever it is you decide to put in the washer that doesn’t belong there.

Although there’s no rule of thumb as to what you should and not wash in your washing machine, some items cannot be risked because not only will they be damaged, but can also cause your washer to be badly damaged. Below are some of the things you should avoid putting in your washing machine to preserve both the items and your washer.

Foam Pillows

If you think you can put anything in the washing machine, you might need to think twice because there are things that should never be allowed in your washer and foam pillows are one of them. Just as you should never put foam or anything related to it in your washer, especially a top-loading washer with an agitator because it will scatter the material, you should not also try to put your foam pillows in a washing machine because they’ll suffer the same fate. Thankfully, according to the director of the Home Appliances & Cleaning Products and Textile Labs at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Carolyn Forte, you do not need to clean foam pillows too often because they stay clean longer than the traditional ones.

She recommends cleaning your foam pillows at least twice a year by removing stains at the exact spots or discolored areas; the process is pretty straightforward. It’s safe to also follow the instructions by the manufacturer on how to best care for the foam pillows. No matter what the instructions are, just ensure you follow them correctly and avoid letting them go in your washer.

Baby Socks

If you’re going to own your truth, you must have noticed some baby socks have been missing in your washer, but don’t worry, we’re here to help you solve the mystery. We mentioned earlier that it’s very tempting and seemingly more convenient to have all your dirty clothes, including the children’s, tossed in the washing machine because you want to get things done as quickly as possible. However, this will only result in a few issues that can range from missing items to damaged clothes.

If you’re guilty of this small crime (letting baby socks go in the washing machine) and you’ve been paying the price by losing them, Leanne Stapf, vice president of operations at The Cleaning Authority, says, in his words “small items like socks, baby clothes, and small washcloths can get stuck in washing machine vents and hoses.” The best thing to do with baby socks and any other baby items is to put them in an enclosed mesh bag so you don’t have to lose any item. Alternatively, you can just adopt the simplest and most effective method, which is to hand-wash your small items to avoid losing them.

Bras

This is something almost every woman with a washing machine is guilty of because tossing your bras into your washing machine with the hope of getting it washed quickly seems like the best way to get it done. However, as you must have seen and experienced, this is one of the best ways to destroy your bras and make them look stretched-out not to talk of how this single action can also destroy your clothes or even damage some components in the washer such as the agitator. The thought of not just losing your clothes or bra, but also your washer to a single action is enough to make you change your mind the next time you feel like tossing your bras in the washing machine.

If you want to ever use your washer to clean your bras, the best way to do this is to put them in a garment bag before putting them in the washer and selecting the gentlest wash cycle. You can also use your hands to save yourself any risk of getting the bras damaged in the washer, but whatever you do, always make sure you don’t let the bras go in the dryer because the heat can destroy the bras’ elasticity. The best way to dry them is to air-dry.

Suits

This might as well be the most controversial entry on this list as a lot of people will find its presence on this list very arguably because everyone believes you should be able to wash your suits in your washing machine. What made don’t know is that most of these suits you see are made of high-quality fabrics that can tear and shrink, even if you’re washing them with the gentlest cycle on your washer. And knowing these suits are high-priced and are only reserved for special occasions, you should always endeavor to take them to the dry cleaner whenever you need to clean your suits.

According to a post on Southern Living, since most people take their suits as investments, the best way to protect these investments is by dry cleaning them as even the delicate cycle on your washer can prove to be too much for the suits. Also, always try to use a steamer to de-wrinkle your suit after and before putting them away for dry cleaning. As tempting as it might be to wash your suits in the washing machine, always resist this temptation for the sake of your suits.

How To Find Lost Items in Washing Machine in 5 Simple Steps

Turn off the washer

Whenever you’re handling electronics/machines/appliances, the first step to take before going all-in is putting the machine on and unplugging the cable from a power source to prevent electric shock. The same rule applies to your washer if you’re trying to look for a lost item in it. If there’s anything in the washer that can stop you from fully accessing the inside, make sure to get everything out so you won’t be disturbed by any item whenever you’re looking for a lost item.

Explore the drum

The drum is always a good place to start from whenever an item is lost in the washer and needs to be recovered. You will need a flashlight to gain full visual access to the drum in a bid to try and recover whatever might be hiding at the back. You may need an extra pair of hands to help you get the torch because both of your hands are going to be busy turning the inner drum and checking for small items.

Heater

Another place you can easily find lost items in your washing machine is the heater, which can be accessed if you open the back panel of your washing machine. The heater is usually underneath a big drum motor at the back panel of the washer, so if you want to access the heater, you need to pull the panel out. You’ll be surprised to see some small items such as socks and small pieces of clothing in the heater. To make the heater more accessible, you’ll need a torch to peek at the heater housing while spinning the drum.

Check the sump hose

After exploring the first two possibilities with no positive results and you’re positive some items are lost in the washer, the next thing to do is to explore the sump hose, which is the most difficult task on this list. It’s considered the most difficult thing to do on this list because you’ll need to lay the washer on one side before gaining clear access to the bottom of the machine where you can find the sump hose. You’ll most likely need an extra pair of hands when you’re exploring this option because if you’re doing it, you might as well do it effectively to get the results you want.

Once you’ve located the sump hose, the next thing to do is look for a slinky hose that is attached to the tub of the machine, release the clip that connects the hose to the tub, and shine your light on it. You may find some items there too as it’s one of the few places small items can get stuck in your washer.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get socks lost in the washer out?

It’s very easy to lose your socks in the washer, especially the small ones and other small baby items. It’s advisable to hand-wash your socks, but if you ever find yourself in a situation where your socks get lost in the washer, you can use any of the methods we’ve highlighted up there including exploring the drum and checking the sump hose.

2. Can clothes get stuck in the washing machine?

Yes, clothes can get stuck in the washing machine, especially the one with an agitator. Also, if you put baby clothes, lingerie, embellished dresses, bras, and suits in the washing machine, you won’t get the results you want and you might end up damaging these items.

Conclusion

If you’re familiar with how the washing machine works, especially a top-loading washer, you must not be surprised to know that items can get lost in the washer. The crafty contraption of a top-loading washer will swallow and hide things in its compartments, which is strange but true. Knowing how to find lost items in washing machine will help you fetch these things out easily and know where to look whenever discover some missing items. Most of these steps can be done alone, but when you’re exploring the sump hose, you will need an extra body to help you lift the washer because the hose is at the bottom of the washer.