If you use colour catcher sheets (colour and dirt collector sheets) in your washing machine, be aware they can cause breakdowns.
I have personal experience of this, and have seen several other cases. Both our own washing machine and my in-laws’ machine have broken down due to a colour catcher sheet getting trapped inside.
What are colour catchers?
These sheets are designed to absorb loose dye released during washing and prevent it from transferring onto other items — especially whites.
However, ideally whites and coloureds should be washed separately. They also require different detergents:
- Whites: need detergent with bleaching agents to keep them bright
- Colours: need detergent without bleach to prevent fading
In reality, many people wash mixed loads. Colour catchers are marketed as a solution to this by “capturing” stray dye.
What is the problem with colour catchers?
(pic 1)
The issue is that these sheets are very small and thin. Because of this, they can easily get pulled into the gap between the drum and the door seal.
If this happens, the sheet can travel into the pump system and:
- Jam the pump completely, or
- Block the pump filter
Either scenario can cause the washing machine to stop draining and leave it full of water.
(pic 2)
Should you avoid using colour catchers?
It depends on your washing machine design.
Check the gap between the drum and the door seal:
- If the gap is very small and the rubber is firm, the risk is low
- If the gap is wider (some can be 10–15 mm) or the seal is soft or distorted, the risk is much higher
In machines with larger gaps, it’s quite possible for a sheet to get pulled inside.
Tips if you still want to use them
- Place the sheet on top of the laundry, slightly towards the back
- Do not overload the machine
- Avoid items being pushed against the door seal
- Consider placing the sheet inside a laundry bag or wash net to make it larger and safer
Using a wash net is a particularly good solution. It prevents the sheet from slipping into gaps while still allowing it to work effectively.
Related discussion: Can’t find washing machine colour sheet after washing
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Spot on. Just had my second entertaining evening of draining the machine and clearing one of these things out of the outlet filter. They are now banned but I also thought one of those mesh laundry bags might make a decent compromise. Not many clothes are pure white these days!
It you try to contact company don’t bother, email does not work ,the 0845 number does not work. The 0144 number disengages. Good customer services.
I have just had the same problem this em with a colour catcher stopped my washing from working got stuck in the bottom of machine unless u can get dissolvable ones dont use
I use color catchers and when they get into the pump it, I would have to clean it out and it was not a chore that I enjoyed but then I discovered your suggestion on using a Lingerie Bag to hold the catchers in, I have to say that I have not had a problem since. Thank you for that suggestion.
I’ve been using colour catchers very successfully for a long time now,then recently found the machine wasn’t draining properly and the machine stopped. Never even thought about the drain hole, my man where I purchase my electricals explained about the drain hole,so I removed the cover and low and behold there were two color catchers stuck in it.One lesson learned so I’m going to try them in a net laundry bag.
My washing machine came up with an EFO error and wasn’t draining the water. I checked the filter below and there were about 3x color catchers stuck in it. After removing them I found the water from the washing machine was coming back up into the sink. This wasn’t happening until the color catchers got stuck. I cleaned the trap below the sink and then it was fine.
If you look at the size of the ‘Shout Color Catchers’ on Youtube videos that says 9 years ago, they are about 5-6x bigger than the ones used today…
How many people get broken down washing machines not realising these are causing it…