No, it's not a good idea to leave cherry tomatoes or any foreign objects inside your washing machine drum. Running the washing machine with objects inside, especially hard items like cherry tomatoes, can cause serious damage to the machine and may lead to costly repairs.
Here's what you should do to resolve the situation:
Unplug the Washing Machine: Safety first! Before attempting to retrieve the cherry tomatoes, make sure the washing machine is unplugged from the power outlet to avoid any electrical hazards.
Remove the Detergent Drawer: Most washing machines have removable detergent drawers. Take out the detergent drawer and check if the cherry tomatoes are visible inside it. If they are, you can remove them from there.
Inspect the Drum: Use a flashlight to inspect the drum thoroughly. Look through the holes and see if you can spot the cherry tomatoes. If they are visible, try to use long and thin tools like tongs or a grabber tool to reach and remove them.
Tilt the Machine: If you can't reach the cherry tomatoes through the detergent drawer or the drum holes, you might need to tilt the washing machine gently. Make sure you have some help and follow the manufacturer's guidelines for your specific model.
Contact Professional Help: If you're unable to access the cherry tomatoes safely, it's best to call a professional appliance repair service. They have the expertise and tools to disassemble the machine safely and retrieve the items without causing damage.
Leaving foreign objects inside the washing machine can lead to imbalances during the spin cycle, causing excessive wear on the machine's components and potentially breaking the drum or other parts. It's essential to address the issue before using the washing machine again.