I Use This Genius Hand "Trick" Every Time I Do Laundry
When your laundry pile runneth over, it's tempting to shove every last item inside the drum of your washing machine to just get it all done, but you probably already know that's not the right way to do laundry. Regularly over-filling your machine can not only strain the motor and various parts of the appliance, but it can also prevent your clothes from getting a thorough clean and even damage your favorite duds over time.
But exactly how full is too full? While extra-large residential washers can often handle mixed loads of 22 to 24 pounds, our experts don't recommend tipping the scales. You need a bit of wiggle room in the machine for greater efficiency, says Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. And it turns out she has a quick trick to help you determine whether you've over-filled your machine — all you need is your hand.
Whether you're using a front-loader or top-loader, you should be able to fit one hand in the drum and still have a little room to move it around, says Forté. This will accommodate a rather large load of laundry — a nearly full drum! — but still allow enough room for clothes to circulate in a pool of water and detergent that will get them as clean as possible. It also helps prolong the life of your clothes, since that extra wiggle room helps ensure fabrics don't rub together, putting strain on the fibers. If you can't fit your hand in the drum, it's time to take something out.
There is one exception to the rule? Exceptionally bulky items, like weighted or very heavy blankets. Though the manufacturers of some large and weighted blankets may claim these items are machine washable, it's important to consider the size and capacity of your washer before doing so. A single 20-pound item can put a strain on a machine — even a large-capacity one. In general, our experts do not recommend washing a single item that weighs more than 15 pounds, even if your washer can typically handle 20-pound loads.
These rules apply to the dryer, too. Dryers generally have a smaller capacity than washing machines, so it's a good idea to check your appliance's manual for specifics. Depending on how much you have to dry, you may even consider splitting large loads into multiple batches, since overloading a dryer can lead to uneven drying and wrinkled clothes, plus increase energy use.
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