How to determine the maximum weight of laundry to load a washing machine?

Manufacturers of washing machines indicate the maximum weight of laundry in large letters on the facade of the electrical appliance. The large weight of laundry loaded into the drum allows washing to be done less frequently, saving energy and water.

Consequences of incorrect loading

The maximum weight of items that can be washed is indicated in the product data sheets.

Exceeding the norm causes dangerous consequences:

• increased load on the electric motor, which has to rotate a crowded drum;
• increased load on bearings of rotating parts of a household appliance;
• incorrect choice of washing mode;
• poor quality washing and rinsing of clothes.

The consequence of exceeding the maximum permissible load on the electric motor is overheating of the motor. The increased temperature causes overheating and gradual destruction of the insulation of the motor rotor windings - and ultimately their short circuit. It's good if it costs you to replace the engine. A short circuit in the electrical circuit in 95% of cases causes domestic fires, especially in old houses with old electrical wiring.

Under the influence of loads exceeding the design ones, the bearings of the rotating parts of the drum and the engine gradually wear out. And this, in turn, causes unacceptable vibration of the housing, which causes mechanical failure of the washing machine parts:

• hose clamps become loose;
• the material of the water supply and pumping pipes is destroyed, causing flooding of the room;
• The contacts of the electrical wiring become loose, which causes gaps in the supply of control commands, melting of the connectors and, as a result, expensive repairs.

A completely filled tank volume does not allow washing with the required amount of water - all parts of the structure are operating in the wrong mode. The laundry remains dirty and has a residue of powder that could not be removed during rinsing.

A small load causes no less harm. During spinning, things are pressed against one side of the drum under the influence of centrifugal forces, causing “mad” vibration. Its consequences are disastrous for an electrical appliance. The bearing seats are destroyed, and vibration increases with each subsequent wash.

Important!

If your washing machine documentation does not specifically indicate a minimum load weight, use at least 1.5 kg of dry laundry when washing.

Features of washing clothes made from various materials

The technical characteristics of the maximum load, which are indicated in the passport, show how much weight the engine can crank without the negative consequences indicated above.

During testing, small pieces of heavy fabric are used. The density of the material allows for maximum fabric weight for the washing machine and high-quality washing. But at home, fabrics with a lower density are often washed, therefore, it will not be possible to fit a lot of laundry into the drum. A completely filled volume will not allow for proper washing - things cannot be rinsed after treatment with washing powder.

It is worth loading the machine with a slight underload so that the laundry moves freely during the washing process.

Tips for loading the drum

Different fabrics absorb different amounts of water and have different specific gravity.

When filling the drum, the following conditions must be observed.

• Cotton products are loaded according to the manufacturer's instructions in a 1:1 ratio. If the machine is designed for 5 kg, then 5 kg of cotton items can be washed.
• Synthetic items are light and voluminous; they are loaded at the rate of 50% of the maximum intended load. A machine designed for 8 kg will wash 3.5–4 kg of synthetics without loss of quality.
• Woolen items are washed at a rate of 30% load. 1.5–2 kg of things are loaded into a 5 kg machine.
• The same amount (30%) of the maximum is loaded during a “quick wash”, regardless of the material used in the manufacture of items.
• Up to 50% of the allowed amount of laundry is washed in the “delicate wash” mode.

Important!

The manufacturer gives the permissible weight for dry laundry, taking into account the increase when wet.

How to calculate the weight of laundry for a washing machine?

An ordinary consumer, having bought a washing machine, faces a dilemma: load more or less clothes, washing them twice. The cost of a new machine does not incline you to take the risk of trying to fill the entire volume of the washing drum with dirty laundry.

Modern machines allow you to weigh items at the initial stage of loading, determining the critical mass when washing is dangerous for use. But what should owners of devices from previous years of production do?

It is not possible to weigh laundry at each load. Experienced housewives know by eye how much laundry can be washed at once. For the rest, you can calculate the weight of the loaded laundry using the table.

How do modern washing machines determine the weight of laundry?

Modern technology has the ability to independently determine the mass of things sent into the machine. In fact, there are no scales in the car. Both the mass of items and the washing program are determined by the current that flows in the electric motor when the drum rotates. Accordingly, the device selects a mode in which the engine will operate at its optimal speed, without overcurrent. This function allows the machine to independently determine the most appropriate mode and washing program, and the amount of water added to the machine.

The option will help:

• do not think about loading the machine correctly - if the norm is exceeded, the washing will not start and a warning signal will sound;
• collect the required amount of water without wasting electricity on heating its excess;
• wash and dry things thoroughly.

Knowing the approximate weight of the laundry to be washed and correctly choosing its volume when loading the washing machine drum will help you wash your clothes until they are clean, preserving the functionality of the household appliance for a long time.