How much laundry may go in the machine
Short answer: Short answer: fill to two thirds. You should be able to lay a flat hand over the laundry once the drum is full, and if you cannot, there is too much laundry in for the water and detergent to reach everywhere.
Why two thirds
Laundry needs to move freely to get clean. If the drum is filled to the brim, the laundry gets compressed, the water does not reach everywhere, and the detergent does not rinse out properly. The result is laundry that ends up neither clean nor rinsed, even after a full program at normal temperature.
The hand test
Lay a flat hand on top of the laundry in the drum once you have added the last piece. If it fits without pressing, the load is right. If it does not, something needs to come out. Check out bamboo clothing for women to see how much space different garment types take up.
The exceptions
Bedding and large items need more space than ordinary clothing, because they fold together around the rest and get heavier when wet. Fill only halfway when washing a duvet cover. Check out bamboo bedding and bamboo towels to get a sense of the weight of what you are washing.
What happens with an overloaded machine
The laundry does not get clean, because it cannot move enough for dirt to loosen properly. It also wrinkles more, since it gets pressed flat against the drum walls throughout the whole program. Soap residue can remain in the fabric and cause skin irritation, especially for people with sensitive skin.
Why a half empty machine is also a problem
A half empty machine does not harm the laundry, but it wastes water and electricity relative to the amount being washed. Over a month that can add up to noticeable extra consumption if you often run the machine well under two thirds full.
How to gauge laundry without a scale
If you do not have a scale, you can use the drum volume as a guide. Most standard machines hold between six and nine kilos of dry laundry, and the manufacturer's manual states the exact capacity. Always load by volume and the hand test, not weight alone.
Mixing heavy and light fabric
Heavy fabric like jeans and towels takes up more space wet than light fabric like t-shirts and underwear. Do not mix too much heavy fabric with light fabric in the same wash, since the heavy fabric can otherwise press the light fabric against the sides and prevent good rinsing.
How dosing connects to the load
If you dose detergent by amount, dose by the actual load rather than the machine's maximum capacity. A half full machine needs less detergent than a full one, otherwise soap residue remains in the fabric, which can make laundry stiff and leave an unpleasant smell over time.
Making the right load a habit
Place laundry loosely in the drum instead of stuffing it in, and do the hand test every time until it becomes an automatic part of the routine. It takes only a few extra seconds and ensures each wash actually gets the laundry clean instead of just dampening it.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the machine is overloaded
The laundry does not get clean, it wrinkles more, and soap residue remains in the fabric, which can cause skin irritation, especially for naturally sensitive skin.
Is a half empty machine wasteful
Yes, of water and electricity relative to the amount of laundry. But it is still better than an overloaded machine, where the laundry does not get clean at all.
Should you dose by the load
Yes. A half load needs less detergent than a full one, otherwise soap residue remains, which can stiffen the fabric over several washes.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
