# Is it kosher to wash my cat's bed towels in a laundromat washing machine?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [October 14, 2023, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567 "2023-10-14T14:37:17Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/1 "2023-10-14T14:37:17Z")
We were recently gifted a sickly stray cat by neighbors who are moving away. We are keeping her in our home and bought a bed for her, which we line with old towels. Even though we brush this sweet cat a lot, the towels get covered by her fur. We want to wash the towels but I have heard that cat hair clogs up washing machines. I proposed washing them at a laundromat – AFTER carefully brushing off as much as the cat hair as possible. The brush does a good job, removing at least 98% of the hair, but still. Those towels aren’t going in our washing machine.
I don’t want to create problems for the owner of the laundromat. I will brush each and every towel before washing them – and then wipe out the washer after we’re done. I’ve heard of people bringing oily rags and filthy things to laundromats, specifically to avoid using their at-home washing machines. I don’t want to be that person.
Your thoughts?
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/2 "2023-10-14T14:41:50Z")
Decades ago I used to own a laundromat. Professionally speaking …
You are the only customer this month who will give the slightest thought to any damage or inconvenience you might cause the 'mat or its owners.
Much like your situation with cleaning your leaky car engine, part of the nature of offering an unattended cleaning facility to the public is that they will bring their worst messes to you, and leave you to deal with _all_ the consequences.
As much as I can feel for your 'mat’s owners, by brushing the heck out of those towels you’re doing far more than any of the other pet owners are doing. Wash forth!
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### Author:  [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/3 "2023-10-14T14:53:20Z")
Laundromat machines are also built to handle more abuse than home machines. I suspect cat fur won’t even be a fur ball.
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/4 "2023-10-14T14:55:17Z")
As long as the cat hasn’t been eating shellfish, I don’t see why not.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/5 "2023-10-14T14:58:50Z")
First time I ever heard anyone express concern for Laundromat equipment with the possible exception of a Seinfeld episode where Kramer attempted to and maybe succeeded at pouring a sack of cement mix into a washing machine. Not sure if Jerry expressed any real concern since he blamed the washer for ruining his shirt and he like the rest of his friends had little regard for others.
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### Author:  [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/6 "2023-10-14T20:15:36Z")
> [@Caribbean\_cruiser](#):
>
> I don’t want to create problems for the owner of the laundromat. I will brush each and every towel before washing them – and then wipe out the washer after we’re done. I’ve heard of people bringing oily rags and filthy things to laundromats, specifically to avoid using their at-home washing machines. I don’t want to be that person.
>
> Your thoughts?
Compared to the damage caused the last time someone brought oily rages to my local laundromat (first fire and smoke, then massive water damage after the fire department arrived) your cat hair isn’t that huge a problem. Lots of people wash their pet blankets/beds at the laundromat.
Brush out as much hair as possible. Wipe out the machine when you’re done if it’s necessary.
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### Author:  [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/7 "2023-10-14T20:20:15Z")
I wash a huge amount of cat and dog blankies and towels at home. I wouldn’t mind washing their beds here except for the bulk problem. It’s never hurt my washing machine.
I wouldn’t think a laundrymat would have a problem. I’m sure a good one keeps the drains checked out and clean.
YMMV, but I’d do it.
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### Author:  [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/8 "2023-10-14T20:30:18Z")
> [@Caribbean\_cruiser](#):
>
> I don’t want to create problems for the owner of the laundromat. I will brush each and every towel before washing them – and then wipe out the washer after we’re done.
Brushing the towels thoroughly _before_ going to the laundromat would help limit cat allergen exposure for other laundromat users.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/9 "2023-10-14T20:45:19Z")
> [@Caribbean\_cruiser](#):
>
> Your thoughts?
> [@silenus](#):
>
> As long as the cat hasn’t been eating shellfish, I don’t see why not.
I am not a rabbi, nor do I play one on TV, but trust me, compared to what some people do- you’re good.
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### Author:  [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/10 "2023-10-14T21:04:54Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> Decades ago I used to own a laundromat.
You never cease to surprise! 😁
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/11 "2023-10-14T21:09:09Z")
I have had a remarkable run of different “careers”. I sucked at almost all of them, so I had to keep moving. But it does lead to a lot of stories on a lot of topics. It also helped that for the first 30 years of my life I spent nearly zero effort on social or recreational anything, which left a lot of hours for (mostly misguided) work. Some of which was even profitable for awhile.
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### Author:  [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/12 "2023-10-14T21:41:37Z")
Like @Beckdawrek , I wash blankets and towels that are pretty cat-hair covered at home all the time. Honestly, all the things in our house are covered in hair, human and cat, and even our old washing machine never had any problems. Laundromat machines won’t even notice.
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### Author:  [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/13 "2023-10-14T21:49:35Z")
Aww, your just a well-rounded guy!
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### Author:  [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/14 "2023-10-14T22:00:20Z")
I used to take horse blankets to the laundromat. That’s a LOT of hair and grit. I always ran a second cycle empty, on hot and with bleach, after my blankets were done.
At home now I have 11 cats and 2 dogs. My washer handles it all just fine, though I do try and shake off as much as I can before washing.
And this reminds me … I need to clean the washer’s filter again!
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/15 "2023-10-14T22:03:16Z")
It’s not kosher to do laundry from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.
But if you have a goyish Shabbas ketzeleh, it’s ok for them to do it then.
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [October 14, 2023, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/16 "2023-10-14T22:11:43Z")
I have a cat bed that’s pretty gross in my home washing machine right now. It’s on old top loader that uses lots of water. I’m slightly worried it will unbalance, but not at all worried about the gunk and hair.
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### Author:  [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2023, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/17 "2023-10-15T01:35:23Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#):
>
> I wash a huge amount of cat and dog blankies and towels at home. I wouldn’t mind washing their beds here except for the bulk problem. It’s never hurt my washing machine.
i don’t know that it’s a “huge” amount, but seconding this: I routinely wash towels and throw covers on which cats have deposited lots of hair. I shake them out outside and throw them in. I’ve never had any problems with it, though I have occasionally had to wipe the inside of the washing machine afterwards.
If your washing machine has a filter you can get at, clean it out once in a while.
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### Author:  [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2023, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/18 "2023-10-15T01:58:03Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> I have had a remarkable run of different “careers”. I sucked at almost all of them, so I had to keep moving. But it does lead to a lot of stories on a lot of topics. It also helped that for the first 30 years of my life I spent nearly zero effort on social or recreational anything, which left a lot of hours for (mostly misguided) work. Some of which was even profitable for awhile.
Owned a laundromat. Former corporate IT consultant. Former fighter pilot in the USAF. Former Captain at a top-tier major airline until well-earned retirement.
Yeah, not many people have that kind of resume. Fewer still could summon that kind of modesty.
And now to get back to cats and their bedding …
I agree that brushing it down as much as possible and doing it in the laundromat is just fine. Another possibility is to brush it down and hand wash it, pour any cat hair infested water down the toilet, and put the towels in the dryer at home. The dryer filter that will catch whatever little cat hair remains. Just clean out the filter and everyone is happy. 🙂
When my son went through a (mercifully brief) smoking phase and brought some laundry over from his apartment, I put one of his sweatpants into the laundry not realizing that he had not intended it to be washed and that it had a pack of cigarettes in the pocket. The result was a laundry disaster – there is nothing more sticky and clinging than wet tobacco! But I got through it. I had to scrub the entire washer tub with a brush to get the sticky tobacco bits out of the millions of little holes in the washer tub. The dryer was much easier – it just collected the remaining debris in the filter basket.
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### Author:  [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2023, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/19 "2023-10-15T02:12:46Z")
> [@wolfpup](#):
>
> Owned a laundromat. Former corporate IT consultant. Former fighter pilot in the USAF. Former Captain at a top-tier major airline until well-earned retirement.
Eh, “owned a laundromat” doesn’t imply anything about _running_ a laundromat. You can easily hire other people to run it.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2023, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-kosher-to-wash-my-cats-bed-towels-in-a-laundromat-washing-machine/991567/20 "2023-10-15T02:17:24Z")
This was a two-man gig. Yes there are laundromat tycoons that have a batch of them and all hired help. Or at least there were back in the day. But that was not me. We had no employees. I moved a lot of stinky cash and filthy coins, cleaned & repaired the stuff I could, and called a plumber or an appliance repairman when needed. And tried to chase the homeless and the wannabe muggers out when we were there. Which wasn’t much of the 24-hour day.
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