We’ve all been tempted to cram an extra towel or shirt into the washing machine to save time or cut down on laundry loads. But according to the experts, overloading your washing machine can actually do more harm than good.
Salah Sun, head of product management at Beko UK, a leading manufacturer of freestanding washing machines and other home appliances, says that giving your machine a little extra space will help it “run more efficiently” and keep your clothes looking their best. That’s because when you overfill your washing machine drum, your laundry tends to clump together and move as one large mass rather than as individual items. “This can prevent detergent from circulating effectively, reducing the cleaning performance of your wash and leaving detergent residue on your clothing,” said the expert.
“By overloading your washing machine, you could not only be affecting the quality of your wash but potentially damaging your appliance’s drum and motor too,” warns Salah. “Many people may not realise that your loading technique involves more than just throwing clothes in and pressing start.
“Your clothes need sufficient room during the washing cycle and the right amount of detergent to be thoroughly cleaned. The agitation caused by different clothes rubbing against each other is actually an essential part of the washing process.
“It’s also important to know whether you live in a hard or soft water area, as this affects how much detergent you should use. Less in soft water areas, and more in hard water areas, where limescale can reduce cleaning effectiveness.”
How full is too full? Salah advises on a simple test for each wash which takes less than 10 seconds to do.
“The drum should be filled so that you can fit your hand in at the top and then be able to turn it 90 degrees. If you can’t manage this, your machine is overloaded,” they said.
You can adapt your loading technique based on the type of laundry, the level of soiling, and the selected washing programme.
However, it’s always best to follow the capacity guidelines in your machine’s manual, as these can vary between models. Overloading beyond the recommended limit can extend programme duration and negatively affect washing performance.
If you want to avoid issues with overloading, it’s also vital to understand your machine’s capacity. Washing machine capacity is measured in kilograms (kg) and indicates the maximum load your machine can handle.
“If you’re considering buying a new machine, it’s important to look for an appliance with the right capacity for your household needs,” advises Salah. “Small capacity washing machines (7kg) are ideal for smaller families or those who frequently do small laundry loads. You’ll find that a 7kg capacity machine can wash up to 35 shirts in a single cycle.
“Medium capacity machines (8kg) tend to suit most families and their varied laundry needs. With a 8kg machine you can wash around 40 shirts in one go. Larger machines with 9-12kg capacity are ideal for bigger households too and they’re great for washing bulkier items like duvets. They can also handle up to four double bed linen sets, 12 towels or 45 shirts in one cycle,” advises Salah.
Whilst there’s often more focus given to overloading your machine, underloading can be just as problematic for your appliance. When you run a washing programme with too few clothing items it can create a lot of noise and drainage problems.
“It’s best to avoid putting just one highly absorbent item into your washing machine, such as a dressing gown or towel,” Salah warns. “These single items absorb too much water, causing a lot of movement during the washing cycle. It’s best to balance your washing load by adding some other small items into the drum.”