This happens all the time: A clean pad gets mixed in with your dirty clothes, like your gym bag or suitcase. You go to pop everything in the wash: in go the socks, in go the shorts, and - oops! - in goes that pad. When you come back in an hour to switch everything to the dryer, you discover a mess.
We hope this how-to guide helps you take a deep breath when that happens, because while it's a mess, it's not the end of the world: the material is non-toxic, non-staining, and super absorbent which is usually responsible for soaking up and holding onto any pee leaks. Learn more about what makes our core super absorbent here. In the washer, the material absorbs WAY more than it typically would, and the pad bursts - leaving you with a mess to clean up. Before you call a plumber, follow these steps.
Cleaning Your Clothes
First, Shake Off Excess Material:
Take the clothes outside and shake them gently to remove as much of the residue as possible. Don't worry, it's biodegradable.
Use a soft-bristle brush or your hands to loosen any stuck-on pieces.
Second, Rinse Clothes Thoroughly:
Rinse the clothes under cold running water to wash away additional particles
Third, Wash Again:
Place the clothes back in the washing machine.
Use cold water and a short cycle with no detergent to remove lingering pieces.
After the rinse, inspect the clothes. If there's still residue, repeat the cycle.
Finally, The Final Wash:
Once most of the residue is gone, wash the clothes with detergent as usual to fully clean them.
Cleaning the Washing Machine
First, Remove Residue from the Drum:
Wipe out as much residue as possible using paper towels or a damp cloth. Be thorough, especially around the edges and crevices of the drum.
Second, Check the Drain and Filter:
Remove and clean the washing machine's lint filter or trap, as some of the residue may have collected there.
If possible, check the drain hose to ensure no clogs have formed.
Third, Run an Empty Cycle:
Run an empty cycle with hot water and a cup of white vinegar or baking soda. This will help dissolve and flush out any remaining particles.
Finally, Wipe Down the Drum Again:
After the cycle, inspect the rum. If any residue remains, wipe it out and run another rinse cycle if necessary.
We want to remind you that Attn: Grace uses body- and earth-friendly materials and we keep dozens of harmful substances, ingredients, and materials out of our products. If you do have a case of a bursting pad in your washing machine, the material and residue is harmless to humans and pets. By the way, this is the same reason that our pads aren't a great option for the pool, splash park, or running through sprinklers. These things absorb EVERYTHING and 99% of the time, that's a good thing!
As always, reach out to our customer care team if you need help via email - hello@attngrace.com - or via phone - 833.713.9212.
P.S. If the problem seems to be more than residue or you are not comfortable trying to manage it yourself, call a plumber or appliance professional to check things out.