Forgetting About This Item Before Using The Washing Machine Can Cause Major Problems

We've all been there: You're rushing to get the laundry done, tossing a pile of pants and shirts into the wash, hitting the start button, and then you hear it. That telltale metallic clanking and grinding, alerting you to the fact that you left your keys in your pants pocket and now they'll be going through the wash cycle. While you might think a key (or two) only risks a minor scratch, the reality is that hard metal objects, especially keys with their jagged edges, can be a serious threat to your washer and cause major problems. It turns out not emptying your pockets is one of many mistakes you can make when doing laundry.

When your washing machine enters its high-speed cycle, keys become high-velocity projectiles. The objects are violently tossed against the machine's inner surfaces, leading to scratches, chips, and even big gouges in the drum, whether it's made of plastic or stainless steel. Over time, those pits and scrapes can snag fabrics, or even become sites for rust that stains future loads. However, the most severe damage happens when a key slips through the tiny perforations of the drum and enters the machine's drain system.

Once a key leaves the inner drum, it'll travel directly toward the drain pump; this is the part of your washer that removes water from the machine. Keys can easily lodge themselves here and block the drain or cause the motor to seize. A blocked pump will cause many issues, like drain failure, rapid overheating, or even a burnt-out motor that renders the machine useless.

Big damage can be caused by a little key, and it'll hit your wallet hard. Most appliance manufacturers' warranties explicitly do not cover damage caused by foreign objects. This means that you will have to pay completely out of pocket to replace a burnt-out pump motor or an entire inner drum, and that can cost several hundred dollars. For older machines, this repair bill could likely total more than what it's worth, leaving you to try and figure out which new washer to buy. 

Fortunately, it's super easy to prevent this major problem, and it only requires a few seconds to your laundry routine. The most effective habit is the inside-out rule: When you put any clothing with pockets into your hamper, turn all the pockets inside out. This ensures that any keys, coins, or other forgotten trinkets fall out before they reach your washer. If that's too much effort, adopt the pre-wash pat down. As you load items into your washer, briefly pat down any pockets to check for any hidden objects.

By integrating this easy check into your routine, you are taking the single most effective step to protect your washer. A two-second check is a small price to pay to avoid a devastating pump failure, a costly washing machine repair bill, or the inconvenience of a machine suddenly rendered useless. Make the pocket check a non-negotiable step to keeping your washing machine running smoothly.