What overfilling the machine does
Short answer: An overfilled machine gives more friction and less cleaning. Garments cannot move freely, so they scrub against each other instead of moving through the water. A little more room in the drum gives a better result and less wear.
Water does not reach in
Without space, water and detergent cannot spread through the laundry. Some spots in the drum are never properly washed, and clothes look clean but still smell slightly. Give garments room to soak up water, so the detergent can reach all the way in.
Friction goes up
Tightly packed garments press hard against each other at every tumble, and that friction is what wears the fabric. The surface turns dull and small fibres come loose. With some air between them, laundry falls freely and the movement is softer. See all bamboo socks for men.
Rinsing gets worse
With too little room, detergent residue stays in the clothes, and it can irritate the skin. The rinse cycle needs water that can move freely between the garments. See Nordic Weaving and bamboo socks for men if you would like to see more of the range.
The drum needs to move
Laundry must be able to fall from the top of the drum into the water, again and again. That movement loosens dirt. When the drum is packed, everything stays as a lump and only the outer layer gets proper water. A full machine is therefore not the same as an effective one.
A half empty machine is not good either
Very little laundry is thrown hard around a large drum and wears too. The garments fall further and hit the drum wall with more force. Choose a half load programme if your machine has one, or wait until you have enough to fill the drum reasonably without packing it.
How to check the load
A hand should fit between the laundry and the top of the drum. If it does not, there is too much in. Loosen the laundry before closing the door so items are not tangled. Heavy things like towels soak up water and take more room when wet, so allow for that.
Mix fabrics with care
Heavy and light fabrics do not always belong together. Jeans and towels rub harder than knitwear and underwear, and in a tightly packed drum the difference is clear. Sort laundry so that items in one load are of roughly similar weight. That is gentler on fine fabrics.
Drying after a full wash
An overfilled drying rack or dryer has the same problem as the washing machine. Laundry needs air around it to dry evenly, and damp items lying close together can smell musty. Hang pieces with a little space between them and turn them, so they dry faster.
Small changes add lifespan
It costs nothing to fill the machine a little less. In return you get cleaner laundry, better rinsing and less wear, which can extend the lifespan of your clothes. Leave some room next time you wash and see after a few weeks whether the clothes look better in use.
Frequently asked questions
How full may the machine be
A hand should fit between the laundry and the top of the drum. If it does not, take something out, so water and detergent can reach every garment throughout the whole programme.
Is a half empty machine better
No. Very little laundry is thrown around hard and wears too. Choose a half load programme if the machine has one, or wait until you have a reasonable amount of laundry to wash.
What is the right amount
The drum filled but not packed, so laundry can fall freely through the water. That gives better cleaning, better rinsing and less friction between the garments in every wash.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
