Loading your washing machine isn’t difficult, but there’s certainly more to it than just taking your clothes and putting them in. If you master how to load your top-load, front-load or HE washing machine properly, you will not only have much better laundry results, but it will also help you cut down on waste. Read on and discover all you need to know about how to load your washer.
How to load a washing machine: A step-by-step guide
1
Sort your laundry
The first step of washing with a washing machine should always be sorting your laundry. Whites, dark colours, light colours and delicates should be sorted and washed separately to avoid any dry transfer. You should also check the fabric label on your garments to make sure they need no special treatment. If you’re unsure, check out our more detailed guide on how to sort your laundry.
2
Check pockets
Make sure to check all the pockets to avoid tissues, gum, coins or anything else getting into the drum. A single tissue can cause a real mess, and a coin can easily cause permanent damage to your washer, so never skip this step.
3
Fill the machine
Put your clothes into the machine, but avoid overloading. No matter if you have a top-loading or front-loading washer, you can always use your hand to determine if you’re overloading your washing machine. If there’s enough place between your clothes and the drum for your palm to fit in, you’re good to go. If there’s not enough space, you’ll need to take something out.
4
Dose correctly
Follow the instructions on the packaging of your laundry detergent, based on load size, soiling and water hardness.
5
Select your wash cycle
If you’re washing clothes that aren’t heavily stained, use a lower temperature to save energy.
There are a few other points to consider when loading your washing machine, like drum size. Read on to see more details about correctly loading your machine.
Drum size matters when loading a washer
Your washing machine has a weight limit, so you should do everything to avoid overloading it. On average, washing machines can handle 5 kgs of clothes. Check out your machine’s guide to make sure, but here’s an approximate amount you can count with:
Medium load – about 3-4 kgs of garments, washer is half full or above
Large load – about 5-7 kgs of garments, washer is almost full
Extra-large load – about 8 kgs of garments, washer at full capacity
A full load in a washing machine
When washing, it’s always worth waiting until you have a full load worth of clothes to throw into the machine. To save money, electricity and water, just wait until you can wash a full load, or use the half load setting on your washer if you have one.
You can easily test if your washer is full with the help of your hands. If your palm just fits between the clothes and the drum, you have a full load. You can also determine the size of the load by the number of clothes you’ve put in:
Medium load – about 6 T-shirts, 2 skirts, 2 sweaters, 3 pairs of pants, 3 pairs of underwear
Large load – 12 T-shirts, 3 skirts, 2 sweaters, 5 pairs of pants, 4 pairs of underwear
Extra-large load – 12 T-shirts, 6, skirts, 8 sweaters, 6 pairs of pants, 6 pairs of underwear
Dose it right
While knowing how to load a washer the right way is key, it’s also important to dose detergents correctly. The amount of detergent changes with the size of the load, and whether you’re using liquid detergent, powder detergent, or Ariel Matic 4-in-1 PODS. With fully automatic machines, even if the location of the detergent changes, you’ll need to put the detergent into the detergent drawer instead of the drum.
For effective stain removal, always pay attention to dosing instructions. Use less detergent in case of half a load, and pay attention to water hardness and the dirtiness of your garments.
How to load a semi-automatic washing machine?
1
Choose the right detergent
Choose a detergent that’s compatible with your semi-automatic washing machine, like Ariel Complete Washing Powder.
2
Check dosing instructions
Check the package to see how much laundry detergent you’re supposed the use. The amount will vary based on the size of the load, the hardness of the water and the level of soiling.
3
Add detergent to the machine
Use either the detergent dispenser drawer or add the detergent directly into the drum of the machine.
4
Add your garments
Put the load into the drum, while ensuring you’re not forcing the garments in, overloading the machine. Test it with your palm if there’s enough room between the load and the drum, and if there’s not, take out a few items.
5
Select the right cycle
Follow the instructions on the fabric care label.
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