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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What have you washed in the washing machine by mistake?

121 replies

ChangeNameLikeIChangeSocks · 02/12/2023 22:00

My dh's work trousers have a lot of pockets and sometimes I miss one.

I find this out when something starts clicking in the washing machine.

Last week I washed a lighter (dh doesn't smoke...) and the key to my car, battery and all.

Both items still work, so I'm not sure how effective my washing machine is.

What is the weirdest thing you have washed in the machine, by accident or design?

OP posts:
MargotBamborough · 02/12/2023 22:01

My phone.

bananafishbones1 · 02/12/2023 22:01

Daughter's AirPods

StuffLoriThangs · 02/12/2023 22:03

My mobile phone.

couldn’t find it, so rang it with another phone to see it light up in the machine just as the water started to fill….never been more gutted. It WAS post nightshift though, so figures

feemcgee · 02/12/2023 22:04

When we were little, my DDad fished as a hobby. DM was emptying the washing machine one day, and a dead fish fell out. My dsis had taken it out of the freezer and put it in with the washing. A nice wee family story 40+ years after it happened!

NorthCliffs · 02/12/2023 22:04

Earl Grey tea bags. Made the towels smell lovely and bergamot-y!

Original poster
ChangeNameLikeIChangeSocks · 02/12/2023 22:04

StuffLoriThangs · 02/12/2023 22:03

My mobile phone.

couldn’t find it, so rang it with another phone to see it light up in the machine just as the water started to fill….never been more gutted. It WAS post nightshift though, so figures

Did you manage to rescue it?

Did you others manage to rescue yours?

OP posts:
Withsleighbellson · 02/12/2023 22:05

Usually money. A fiver came out ok. Some rogue baby wipes. Worst one was a sanitary towel (thanks to teen DD). Most annoying one was a rock in son's school trousers. I thankfully heard it and stopped the cycle and drained it. I'm not the best at checking pockets.

Original poster
ChangeNameLikeIChangeSocks · 02/12/2023 22:05

NorthCliffs · 02/12/2023 22:04

Earl Grey tea bags. Made the towels smell lovely and bergamot-y!

Good tip!

OP posts:
Anonmousse · 02/12/2023 22:06

Credit cards (still worked) season ticket (still worked) passport (still worked) money - several times, a platinum ring, and an ipod (didn't work!)

All by accident of course!

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 02/12/2023 22:06

My DSS passport, 1 week before we went on our v expensive first holiday post Covid..

That was an expensive and time consuming mistake!!

neleh87 · 02/12/2023 22:07

A little nightlight I use for night feeds. I think it got mixed up in the sheets when I put a wash on.

I realised because I could see the light in the washing machine! Annoying because I loved that thing.

Blossomingx · 02/12/2023 22:08

Body cream or something that I didn't realise was wrapped in my brother's gym towel which I had hurriedly flung into the washing machine. Cue thumping noises from the machine, and I'm there staring, wondering why - until I see through the round glass the mischievous bottle that had evaded me. I don't know how, don't even ask...facepalms

NotmySundaybest · 02/12/2023 22:08

A nappy...
makes a right mess

Ladybird69 · 02/12/2023 22:08

My watch! Took it out and it was dead so thought sod it and threw it into the tumble dryer too. Then it came out working perfectly 🤣

HellInABasket · 02/12/2023 22:08

I'm waiting for "the gerbil" post of horror.

Solidaritycakes · 02/12/2023 22:09

A used nappy. That was fun.

Marbelle · 02/12/2023 22:09

Withsleighbellson · 02/12/2023 22:05

Usually money. A fiver came out ok. Some rogue baby wipes. Worst one was a sanitary towel (thanks to teen DD). Most annoying one was a rock in son's school trousers. I thankfully heard it and stopped the cycle and drained it. I'm not the best at checking pockets.

These are all things I've also washed!!! 😂

More recently an antique wind-up watch. It was not hugely valuable but still. And yes, it stopped working.

PinkDaffodil2 · 02/12/2023 22:09

Stick of cucumber looked pretty similar after a 40 degree wash

StuffLoriThangs · 02/12/2023 22:10

ChangeNameLikeIChangeSocks · 02/12/2023 22:04

Did you manage to rescue it?

Did you others manage to rescue yours?

Show quote history

I tried it in rice but it was gubbed. Managed to get a new one through insurance. It was a number of years ago when Orange were still around.

Anonmousse · 02/12/2023 22:10

A biro in a white wash is not a good idea, I can report! 🤣

AutumnLeaves333 · 02/12/2023 22:10

Disposable nappies,
I’ve managed to do if several times now and always absolutely cursing myself when I realise I’ve done it, it takes forever to get all the little bead things out of everything and rewash it all!

TooBusyGazingAtStarss · 02/12/2023 22:10

A drill bit.

It smashed the glass.

Tough morning that was.

steff13 · 02/12/2023 22:11

My Fitbit. Myriad tubes of lip balm. Crayons are the worst if you don't catch them before they get in the dryer.

CrispsandCheeseSandwich · 02/12/2023 22:12

A nappy (unused!). All the innards came out and had to be scooped out of the washing machine

Scampuss · 02/12/2023 22:12

Half a mouse.

It was camouflaged on the doormat I chucked in the washing machine. Thanks cat.