Can Rats Go Inside the Washing Machine?

Last Updated on: 15th June 2023, 04:12 pm

Rats and rodents don’t just harm your kitchen, garden, grain bags, and clothes – they could go inside the washing machine and create a mess in there too.

Some of you may take this lightly unless something crazy happens in your household as a result of rats going inside the washing machine.

Nobody likes to pay for a washing machine repair caused by the tiny rats or leave their expensive clothes in the washer at the mercy of these rodents that sneak into our house at night.

Therefore, it’s vital to take measures to stop rats from going inside the washing machine to eat your clothes. So I decided to shed some light on this topic.

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Before we jump on the tips on how to stop rats from going inside the washing machine, it’s necessary to quickly discuss what damage these rats can cause if they are no protection out there.

Problems Rats Can Create Inside the Washing Machines

These are the issues that rats or rodents may cause:

Damage electric wiring

It’ll be a shame if a bunch of rats goes inside your washing machine to party up and have fun. Don’t be surprised if they start feeding on the electric wires. It may result in a short circuit inside the washer when this thing is turned on.

Therefore, damaging the electric wires inside the washing machine is a serious problem. You never know what all this fiasco would cost you or how long it would take for the washer mechanic to pry this up.

Holes inside the body

These nasty clothes-eating machines can couch holes everywhere. The worst part is that they can feed on the soft plastic parts and wires inside the washing machine body. Sure, the washer drum might be safe with them, but many delicate parts might not be.

Nibbling on the laundry

This might be your wife or girlfriend’s worst nightmare if a rat is nibbling on her dress. She might think her clothes have been safely put into the washing machine inside the indoor laundry area and nothing can harm them.

Well, if you’ve got plans, those tiny butt clothes killers got plans too. Beware of these small creatures that sneak into the kitchen and laundry area to bite on something tasty or fabric.

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How to Stop Rats from Going Inside the Washing Machine

Here are four preventive measures you can take to stop rats from going inside the washing machine:

1. Use a rat mat underneath it

A rat mat is a specially designed mat that is made up of rough material that creates discomfort and prevents rats from climbing on it. Placing the rat mat underneath the washing machine will act as a barrier that will discourage rats from getting inside the machine.

2. Keep the washer lid off

By keeping the washer lid off, the rats won’t be able to hide inside the machine as they will be exposed to the surrounding environment. However, this method is not a permanent solution as keeping the lid off can also result in other unwanted objects like dust, debris, and dirt entering the machine.

3. Put a rat repellent nearby

There are various types of rat repellents available in the market, including electronic repellents, ultrasonic repellents, and natural repellents like peppermint oil. These repellents create an unpleasant environment for rats and make them avoid that area. Placing a rat repellent nearby the washing machine can help prevent rats from entering it.

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4. Install a rat trap in the laundry area

A rat trap is a device that is designed to catch and kill rats. By installing a rat trap in the laundry area, the rats will be attracted to the bait and will get caught in the trap. However, this method is not humane and can also be dangerous if not handled carefully, especially if you have pets or children in the house.

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What material can rats not climb?

Most greasy surfaces are harder for rats and rodents to climb. However, it’s been seen that tiles, glass, and plastic walls or pots are harder for rats to climb. Perhaps, they find it difficult to grip these types of surfaces, especially when they’re greasy and oily.  

What smells do rats and rodents not like?

Rats and mice can be kept away by using the smells of vinegar, peppermint oil, cinnamon, bleach, citronella, ammonia, and mothballs. However, most people can’t spread these things across the house, so they prefer rat traps or rat kill tablets to put them in the various parts of the house.

Can rats be washed out along with laundry?

In normal circumstances, it’s not possible that rats can be washed out in the washing machine along with the laundry unless you have holes in the washer and the laundry items sitting in the washer for quite some time and you simply turn on the washer without checking for rats.

More importantly, it can also damage the washing machine and pose health risks to humans. Rats can carry a variety of diseases that can be transmitted to humans, and their feces and urine can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems.

Additionally, rats may cause damage to the washing machine’s internal components, such as the motor, drum, and hoses, which can result in costly repairs or even the need for a replacement.