Overloading washing machine

Grumpysally

Our washing machine has broken down for the 3rd time in 18 months and OH reckons I overload it, he's probably right.
What constitutes a full load in a standard drum automatic washing machine, eg. how many pairs of jeans, sheets, shirts etc?

thank's, Alison

Greenr

it should say in the user manual... i fill mine about 3/4s full...

TomsMom

As Greenr has said, your user manual will tell you, it should list how many sheets, shirts, towels, etc.

The clothes need room to move around so never fill it right to the top, there must be space between the top of the clothes and the drum. And towels generally need more space than lighter stuff like shirts.

I have king size flat flannellette sheets and a Hotpoint Aquarius washing machine (probably a 6kg load size) and I always only wash one of these at at time, it is impossible to get two in and wash them properly as they are thick and bulky. Yet I can get a pair of polycotton double sheets no problem.

Grumpysally

I got the machine second hand reconditioned, and it didn't come with a manual. I'll try and google for one.

basmic

Any ideal what make and model it is?

I get can get 6 pillowcases, slightly padded mattress topper, double fitted sheet, and duvet cover in my Bosch 8kg washer. If I have some other whites, like a few shirts, I throw them in too!

bengraves38

Hi.
If you look up your model on google it should be relitavley easy to find it's maximum load capacity, or sometimes it is written on the front of the machine.

If you wanna be really ott weigh your washing and check you aren't exceeding the maximum. It will also mean that you can tell the OH that you aren't over loading it.:rotfl:

Hope this helps.

coolagarry

It's a matter of common sense really. If you can get the clothes in easily and there is a little room at the top then you should be ok. If you have to shove the last items in then you are overloading it. Allow a little extra room if the load includes towels

Doozergirl

coolagarry wrote: »

It's a matter of common sense really. If you can get the clothes in easily and there is a little room at the top then you should be ok. If you have to shove the last items in then you are overloading it. Allow a little extra room if the load includes towels

..and your clothes often won't smell quite as fresh if you're overloading it because the soap doesn't get right through it. You can always tell when my H has been overloading the machine.

Grumpysally

Repair man has been out, its the motor that needs replacing and apparently the machine is about15 years old. Clothes never seem to smell unclean when they come out though sometimes powder not always washed out though, that's usually when I've tried a 30 degree wash.
when it's been fixed tomorrow Ive probably replaced every major part in the thing so hopefully that will be it for a while. I'd better take extra care of it. Might borrow some bathroom scales just to check my load. ( and perhaps prove OH wrong ; ) )

Gangstabird

I usually like to be able to flap my hand in it from the top of the drum, for about 9 inches. If you can do this, it's not overloaded. I used to do this as well and have found that clothes get a lot cleaner if you don't do it.

Steve_xx

If you overload your washing machine by packing the washing in too tightly it will cause the motor to have to work harder to rotate the load and this will shorten the lifespan of the motor.

Overloading will also cause friction during the spin cycles between the clothes and the rubber seal and this may result in the clothes being burned as they are pressed tightly against the rubber seal. It will also result in the rubber seal wearing prematurely.