---
title: "What you can and cannot machine wash"
description: "8 straight answers about what you can wash, each with what actually happens and what to do instead when the answer is no."
url: https://atoneplace.net/can-you/wash/
site: "At One Place"
---

# What you can and cannot machine wash

8 questions about what you can wash — 1 yes, 1 no, and 6 that genuinely depend on the specifics.

| Question | Answer | Short version |
| --- | --- | --- |
| pillows | It depends | Down and polyester pillows wash fine. Memory foam and latex must never go in the machine. |
| sneakers | It depends | Canvas and synthetic trainers survive a cold gentle cycle. Leather and suede do not. |
| memory foam | No | No. Memory foam disintegrates in a washing machine and cannot be dried through. |
| a weighted blanket | It depends | Usually yes, but check the weight — most domestic machines top out around 7 kg dry. |
| silk | It depends | Hand wash cold with a pH-neutral detergent. Never use biological powder or hot water. |
| wool | It depends | Yes, cold and without agitation. Heat plus movement is what felts it, not water alone. |
| stuffed animals | It depends | Most wash fine in a pillowcase on cold gentle. Anything with electronics or glued parts does not. |
| a down jacket | Yes | Yes, and you should — but it must be tumble dried with dryer balls or the down stays clumped. |

## Read the full answer

- [Can you wash pillows?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/wash-pillows/) — Down and polyester pillows wash fine. Memory foam and latex must never go in the machine.
- [Can you wash sneakers in the washing machine?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/wash-sneakers/) — Canvas and synthetic trainers survive a cold gentle cycle. Leather and suede do not.
- [Can you wash memory foam?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/wash-memory-foam/) — No. Memory foam disintegrates in a washing machine and cannot be dried through.
- [Can you wash a weighted blanket?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/wash-weighted-blanket/) — Usually yes, but check the weight — most domestic machines top out around 7 kg dry.
- [Can you wash silk?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/wash-silk/) — Hand wash cold with a pH-neutral detergent. Never use biological powder or hot water.
- [Can you wash wool?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/wash-wool/) — Yes, cold and without agitation. Heat plus movement is what felts it, not water alone.
- [Can you wash stuffed animals?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/wash-stuffed-animals/) — Most wash fine in a pillowcase on cold gentle. Anything with electronics or glued parts does not.
- [Can you wash a down jacket?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/wash-down-jacket/) — Yes, and you should — but it must be tumble dried with dryer balls or the down stays clumped.