Washing one load of beach clothes, including regular laundry, should not typically clog a washing machine under normal circumstances. Washing machines are designed to handle various types of laundry, including sandy beach clothes. However, there are a few factors that could potentially lead to a clog or drainage issue:
Excessive sand: If the beach clothes were excessively sandy, large amounts of sand could have accumulated in the washing machine's drain pump or filter, leading to drainage problems.
Improper shaking out: If the clothes were not shaken out properly before washing, a significant amount of sand and debris could have ended up in the washing machine, causing a clog.
Pre-existing issues: It's possible that the washing machine had pre-existing drainage problems that were not immediately apparent, and the load of beach clothes merely exacerbated the issue.
Low-quality or older washing machine: Older or low-quality washing machines might be more susceptible to clogging or drainage issues, especially when faced with sand or debris.
If you followed standard laundry practices, properly shook out the beach clothes, and didn't overload the washing machine, it is unlikely that you caused the damage. Washing a single load of beach clothes is a normal usage scenario for a washing machine.
If the owner is claiming that you caused the damage, you may want to ask for specific details about what exactly was damaged and whether there were any pre-existing issues with the washing machine. It might also be a good idea to discuss the matter with the VRBO customer service team to mediate the situation and ensure a fair resolution.