Frequently asked questions on washing machines and load sizes
How big is a load of laundry?
You have a medium or regular load if the drum is around half full, for a large load you’ll have to fill it until three-quarters full, and if you have even more laundry to do, fill it up until you can fit your palm between the wall of the drum and your clothes.
How big is a small load of laundry?
Anything that’s smaller than a medium load—when the machine’s drum is half full—can be considered small. If you have nothing else to add to the load, see if your machine has a half-load setting to conserve water.
How much laundry can I put in a top loader?
Every machine is different when it comes to the load sizes they can handle. Top loaders are usually not as large as front-loading machines, so a full load would be about 12 pounds of laundry. Make sure to check the washer’s capacity recommendation for the exact amount.
How many towels can I wash in one load?
If you know the load size your washing machine can take, it’s easy to calculate. A small towel weighs about a half pound, and a large towel is about one and a half pounds.
How do I know my washer’s load size?
Generally if your machine is half full, you have a medium load. A large load fills it up until three-quarters full, and anything above that is considered extra large.
What is a normal size load of laundry?
A medium, large, or extra-large load of laundry can all be considered normal, just make sure you don’t overload your machine. Check out our infographic in one of the previous sections to find out what makes up a load.
