Mumsnetters share their stories of the most disastrous things to end up in the wash by mistake with Cushelle

[LucyBMumsnet]

This sponsored discussion is now closed. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories below.

We've all experienced that sinking feeling when you open the washing machine door and realise all is not as it should be, which is why Cushelle have created new Facial Tissues - designed to not fall apart in the wash. Beyond just a rogue tissue, Cushelle want to know - what's accidentally made it into your machine and ruined the whole load?

Here’s what Cushelle has to say: “Cushelle, the irresistibly cushiony soft toilet tissue brand, has launched facial tissues for colds, hay fever and messy kids! Cushelle Facial Tissues are soft, strong and also washing machine resistant, meaning they won’t break up in the wash if accidentally left in a pocket.”

Have you realised a phone or wallet was inside the machine when it was too late because of unemptied pockets? Or maybe you’ve followed cliche and accidentally washed a new red shirt along with the whites, leaving you embracing a new found love for pink? Whether it was some spare change, a felt tip pen, or your monthly train ticket that ended up in your wash, Cushelle want to hear your stories below.

All who share their stories on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky MNer will win a £300 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

A disposable nappy, in a campsite launderette. The whole wash was covered in gel crystals and the machine was as well. Took me ages to clean it up.

it took a very long time to convince my husband to wear a christmas jumper ( about 6 years ), it had lights on and everything. I put it in the wash and he never had to wear it again

It's got to be my mobile phone. That sinking feeling when you realise!!!

A nappy!! 😫

An entire box of tampons. Had been on a weekend away with DP at the time. When we got home, he emptied our bag into the washing machine, after taking out obvious non-clothes items. The tampons were overlooked. They looked like giant white tadpoles spinning around in the machine. To add insult to injury, he had a job interview the next day and his black trousers were also in the wash. They were absolutely covered in lint when they came out.

I washed my old Nokia 3310. Twice. It only died when I was walking through a thunderstorm, and my coat pocket filled up. That didn't kill it; what did was someone ringing me. It emitted a sad gurgle, and expired.
The very worst things to wash are 5p bits. They hide in seams, and when enough of them emerge they jam the pump. I took out 17 (85p) once. Bra wires are another thing, capable of ripping sheets and blocking filters.

I put a full set of very expensive, high thread count, white bed linen in the wash just last week. It came out covered in black streaks and I've got absolutely no idea what caused them.

A disposable nappy sneaked in with our cloth nappies. It disintegrated and blocked the u bend causing the sink next to the washing machine to flood with the water from the washing machine. We luckily managed to stop it before it flooded the floor.

Tissue, everywhere. I had definitely checked pockets so no idea where it came from. It wouldn't wash out, it covered the machine.It was awful

Its amazing the things that have survived....and those that haven't. I will be hypervigelant about blu-tac who knew. Chewing gum Ive done which isnt great. Years ago I offered to wash some whites for a flatmate in my lights wash I didnt realise he had bleached them. Horrific muted slightly tiedyed underwear for the rest of the term. Lesson learned...dont wash stuff for other people

I was a new top and did not read the label, it shrank so much it would barely have fitted a baby and once a red item was hidden in with the the lights so most of the washing turned pink.

My dd when she was around 2 used to 'help' load the washing machine, I forgot to check one day before putting it on..... there was a very loud banging noise when it was washing, turned out she had put 6 large potatoes in the machine to wash 🤦‍♀️ needless to say the washing machine is still going strong, the potatoes obviously went to the bin 😂😂.

We have also had the usual pens, nappies, tissues, toys etc

An unblown up ballow, top it got caught up in had to be binned

The cat went round a few times and I realised when I turned back and saw his head in the glass, I screamed and was hysterical, feeling absolutely awful that I hadn't realised he was snoozing in there but it literally had been about 10-15 seconds and thankfully he sauntered out sopping wet but was absolutely fine. We always keep the door firmly shut now!

A nappy- what a mess, worse than leaving a tissue in a pocket.

A school time table, not only were there bits of paper all of the navy uniforms my son got a detention for not having his school equipment. He also got a telling off from me for not emptying his pockets before putting clothes to wash.

A nappy and a used one at that! Horrendous mess to sort from that one.

Yep. My new phone. Heard it clonking around in the wash.

Plenty of tissues washed from being in DD's pockets. A tumble dry with a micro fibre cloth helps.

I have mainly accidentally shrunk stuff. DD has a lovely vivid green cashmere jumper that used to fit me well and I shrunk to a size that conveniently fit her. She really suits it as well.

The best one was when DD was sick over her bed one night and DH grabbed the bedding and chucked it straight into the washing machine without getting the chunky bits off it first. It was such a delight to pick out semi digested but very clean vom chunks out of the washing machine < not envy.

My first washing experience at uni meant I was hugely naive about colour separating and yes, you guessed it.. i ended up with quite a lot of my clothes having horrible pink and red splodges all over them. Being a poor student - I had to wear then until I got my next month's loan payment. I still cringe thinking about some of the outfits!

Our wedding certificate.
We had been married for less than a month, just moved abroad and were living together for the first time. I thought I was being useful scooping up the uniform trousers that were near the laundry basket, but not in it.

So proud of my Brora wool cardigan, unearthed in a charity shop, for a bargain price. Totally gorgeous, couldn't wait to wear it. Had bragged to everyone within earshot about my find. Mistakenly left near laundry in anticipation of handwashing it. DH scooped it up with the rest of the laundry and treated it to a 40deg wash and spin.
Any idea how small a wool cardigan can go? It came out like a felt newborn jacket. Pfffh.

Only tissues but the stress of that is enough for me!

The little cushiony thing from a push-up bra; it got stuck in the filter and the kitchen was flooded...

A dirty nappy, sleep deprived I put it in the washing machine instead of the bin. Eek the mess was horrendous.

I did this twice in one week, it was a bad week for sleep!

my silk shirt which cost ££'s which I promptly shrunk after wearing once.