Can you fill a washing machine with ice for a hurricane? Here's why you shouldn't

Hurricane Helene is leaving behind all kinds of problems including dreaded power outages, aside from devastating surge and winds.

Although Florida’s Big Bend got the brunt of the storm, impacts of severe weather is in many parts of the state.

If you're dealing with power outages, leaving your refrigerator and freezer useless, one of the most important things to remember is that not every hurricane “hack” is true or beneficial to you.

For example: putting tape on your windows doesn’t protect your windows from shattering in a storm – it actually makes the glass shards more dangerous if they do crack or shatter.

Another common misconception is that you can turn your washing machine into a makeshift cooler when the power goes out. And you technically can, but it could cause you an expensive fix after the storm.

Here’s why.

Hurricane Helene live updates: Category 2 storm impacting Florida. When landfall is expected

Can you fill a washing machine with ice for a hurricane?

You may have heard of people filling their washing machines with ice during storm prep. Some swear that it's a convenient way to repurpose your washing machine into a cooler to keep food and drinks from spoiling when the power goes out.

It seems like a great idea at first thought; the washing machine has a built-in drain for when the ice melts, after all. But TikTok creator Renae, @renduh , an appliance tech who used to live in Florida, posted a video during hurricane season last year to warn viewers about this hurricane hack.

What does putting ice in your washing machine do?

Renae says that keeping anything meant for human consumption in an appliance not made for food is unsafe.

"I do not ever – and I cannot stress this enough – ever recommend that you put items intended for human consumption inside of appliances that are not made for food," they said in the video.

"Even if you are trying your best to keep your appliances clean, I can guarantee you that there are places you have not reached. And they're really gross."

Not only is it unsanitary, it can ruin your washing machine. According to Renae, if you don't have power before the ice all melts, it can ruin your washing machine's drain pump.

"Then if the power comes back on and your washing machine has all that extra water in it, it's going to think that it's leaking and go into panic mode… Which will sometimes stop when all the water is gone, but other times throw an error code. Just use a cooler."

Hurricane hacks that are myths: Tape can’t protect your windows from Category 3 winds

How can you keep food cold during a power outage?

Here’s how the FDA recommends preparing your fridge and freezer for a power outage:

• Make sure you have appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer. Check to ensure that the freezer temperature is at or below 0° F, and the refrigerator is at or below 40° F. In case of a power outage, the appliance thermometers will indicate the temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer to help you determine if the food is safe.
• Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator, or coolers in case the power goes out. If your normal water supply is contaminated or unavailable, the melting ice will also supply drinking water.
• Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk, and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately. This helps keep them at a safe temperature longer.
• Group food together in the freezer. This helps the food stay cold longer.
• Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerated food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours.
• Purchase or make ice cubes in advance, and freeze gel packs ahead of time. Store all of these in the freezer for future use in the refrigerator or in coolers.
• Check out local sources to know where dry ice and block ice can be purchase d, in case it should be needed.
• Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated wate r in case of flooding.
• Make sure to have a supply of bottled water stored where it will be as safe as possible from flooding . If your bottled water has an odor, do not drink or use it. Instead, dispose of it, or if applicable, call your bottled water provider to make arrangements to get a replacement.

How to prep for potential power outages: Florida sees possible Category 3 hurricane approaching.

How to report outages: FPL, Duke staging thousands of workers around Florida ahead of Helene.

How long can a fridge stay cold without power?

According to the FDA, an unopened fridge can keep food cold for around four hours and a full and unopened freezer will keep the temperature for around 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full).

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Can you fill a washing machine with ice for a hurricane? Here's why you shouldn't