Please sort out an argument between me and DH - how full do you load your washing machine?

[ziptoes]

DH loads the machine right to the top, sometimes jamming stuff in. I try to leave some space for the clothes to jumble about. Who's right?

[PaperView]

Both

Usually i load like you, with a bit of space left at the top but if it's sicky bedding/Pjs?etc then i cram it ll in

[Wilts]

Ohh this is a common cause of argument in this house too. Dh packs so much in that when it comes out there are still powder streaks and sometimes round imprints from the drum.

You are right

[scarlettsmummy2]

im the same as paperview- depends how much I have to get through and if it will shrink down when it is wet!

[iMemoo]

You are right. If it's jammed full clothes don't get washed properly.

[said]

You're right but I do cram it as I'm lazy and forget to do washing regularly enough

[KirstyJC]

I generally put in as much as possible - if the door shuts then it must be OK! (Although on occasion I have needed both hands to force it shut).

All seems to come out clean, although I admit I don't look too hard just in case...!

[bibbitybobbityhat]

Yes, we argue about it too.

I am a control freak - about the washing only, I might add - but if it were left to dh he would fill it up.

I fill the drum about 3/4 or less full. OBVIOUSLY the clothes must have room to move about, otherwise they are not going to get a thorough slooshing in the soapy water.

Stands to reason.

[MavisEnderby]

I'm a crammer.I figure its a waste in environmental terms if I just put a few bits in.Well I say that,but I DO put ds football shirts in alone as its all he wears atm,but they go on a quick 15 min wash.The rest is stuffed to the brim in a "normal" wash.

[ragged]

I have experimented, my machine says it can take X kg of cotton. and I find to get to X kg. I have to load it completely (stuff it in). So I think that might be defensible.

But the current machine (low water usage thing) seems to get things cleaner if I load it only to a hand-width of empty space at top (so more than 2/3 full, but not stuffed to the gills, either). So to hand-width empty at top is how I do it now (also what's recommended on Whitegoods website).

[ziptoes]

Thanks ragged - I approve of experimenting, it's just that with two DCs and no sleep I haven't the oomph! So thanks for doing it for me.

[ziptoes]

Brilliant, thanks to you DH now says he'll leave space at the top - whee!

While I have your attention he asked me to find out if you lot think washing powder puts holes in clothes?

[PelvicFloor0fSteel]

It does depend on how heavy the material is how full X weight would be. I nearly killed our washing machine by trying to do all the sofa covers (v heavy material) at once .

[ragged]

There are a lot of threads on MN about what causes holes in clothes (otherwise seemingly not that worn out). I don't have that problem myself though, so I don't know either! Not powder, anyway. Belts? Moths? Keys? Handbags? Too fast a spin (over 1500rpm?)

[Imnotaslimjim]

I make sure I can put my had between the clothes and the drum, but thats all. DH always says its too much and I'm lucky if he puts he uniform in together (5 light tshirts and 3 trousers) I would never keep on top of the laundry if I always did that!

[NoWayNoHow]

I load as full as I can load - I HATE half full machines, I get drowned by guilt about the environment.

[bibbitybobbityhat]

There is OBVIOUSLY a middle way between half full and crammed full. What is the point of putting your clothes in the washing machine and them not coming out clean?

[whomovedmychocolate]

Three quarters full.

Otherwise it doesn't work efficiently. Mine has fuzzy logic which works out how dirty the clothes are, weighs them and uses the right amount of water, but if only works if you don't overload it.

[ChunkyMonkeyMother]

I used to work for Currys and we were always told to advise our customers that you should be able to fit your hand in upright sideways, fingers outstretched - However, as the above have mentioned - If its gross or there are say 2 or 3 more items that cant go in another load and don't warrant a new load they get flung in! I always think of the fact that our drier is bigger than our washer and stuff it all in!

[emmspemms]

My OH doesnt even know how to use the washing machine and has to phone me up to ask where to put the washing liquid, and which way to turn the switch so he really cant be trusted .
I try to leave a bit of space, but don't always .
Does that help? Probably not.

[notapizzaeater]

My machine broke many years ago and the engineer asked me to fetch a load of washing - I brought down 4 bath towels (thinking to myself wish I had time to find some more stuff) he was horrified - no wonder the machine was breaking if I kept overloading it like that .... Still stuff the stuff in - once it's wet it's takes less room

[SarkySpanner]

Smaller load = less ironing :)

[queenmaeve]

Pizzaeater, me too. Guy who fixed ours told me the bearings would go very quickly if it is overloaded.

[wandawings]

4 towels is overloading???? Oh dear.

[jenniec79]

I'll stick in the equivalent of one full set of double bedding (so duvet cover, 4 pillowslips and a sheet) in one load.

It's a washer-dryer though as I'm in a flat without outdoor space, and doesn't dry if there's more than that much in - 3 towels is an absolute maximum, and they still tend to be damp.