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Wash between 6 and 18 pounds of laundry, depending on the size of your washer: Low-capacity top-loading washers can hold 6 pounds. Washing machines with a modest capacity may accommodate 7-8 pounds. Large top-loading washers may hold 10 to 12 pounds.
It is tempting to overfill the washing machine in the hopes that the cycle will produce clean clothes. Additionally, while just running full loads of laundry saves energy, overloading the washing machine is bad for both the clothes and the machine.
Capacity Of Laundry Machine
The amount of laundry that constitutes a “full load” depends on the size or capacity of your washing machine.
Top-loaders with low capacity can hold only 6 pounds of garments in total. Top-loading washing machines with a medium capacity typically handle 7 to 8 pounds.
The top loaders with the largest capacities might manage as much as 12 to 15 pounds. There are times when front-loading washers may hold up to 18 pounds of laundry.
For particular load-weight guidelines for your machine model, consult the owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer.
Load of Laundry Weigh
Although there are a lot of clothes, sheets, and towels, most washers can only hold a certain amount in one load. You probably wash between 6 and 18 pounds of laundry, depending on the size of your washer:
- Low-capacity top-loading washers hold 6 pounds.
- Medium-capacity top-loading washers can accommodate 7-8 pounds.
- Large top-loading washers may hold 10 to 12 pounds.
- Up to 18 pounds can be stored in front-loading washers.
Weigh Of Clothing
Both strategies are effective, so pick whatever you like best. Put an entire load of laundry into a laundry basket before weighing it. Start by weighing yourself on a scale without the laundry basket in your hand.
Then, while holding the basket, weigh yourself. The weight of the laundry load is the difference between the first weight and the second. You can estimate the basket’s weight. The alternative approach is to determine the weight based on the sum.
- 7 sets or pairs of undergarments
- 7 sets of socks
- Five T-shirts with short sleeves
- Two shirts with sleeves.
- a single sweater or sweatshirt
- Four pairs of shorts or two pairs of jeans
- 1 set of sheets
- 1 towel
Washing Machine Load Size Chart
The weight or quantity of your clothing can also be used to estimate the size of your load. To determine what kind of load you are about to wash, use the following laundry load size chart as a reference.

This equates to a medium or standard load of about 6 pounds.
- Large load: A large load weighs about 11 pounds in a HE machine.
- Extra-large load: If you have a HE machine. It weighs about 21 pounds when it is fully loaded.
However, estimating the weight of your clothes by eye takes a lot of work. So that you can understand what different load sizes look like, here is a visual reference to make things a little easier:
A medium or ordinary load of laundry can be picked up with one armful or less.
- Large load: You have a large load when you pick up your whole armload of laundry.
- Extra-large load: When you need to make two visits to the washing because one armload is not enough, you know you have an extra-large load. Leave a space in the drum large enough for your hand to fit through, allowing the clothing to tumble freely.
Our illustration below provides more detailed instructions to understand better how much laundry can fit in different load sizes. Here is what you can fit in the various load sizes depending on an average machine, according to our testing:
Approximately 6 men’s t-shirts, a pair of socks, 2 skirts, 1 women’s sweater, 1 men’s sweater, 3 pairs of slacks, and 3 pairs of underwear could be included in a medium or regular load of laundry.
- Large load: 12 men’s t-shirts, 6 pairs of socks, 3 skirts, 1 women’s sweater, 1 men’s sweater, 5 pairs of pants, and 4 pairs of underwear might be roughly interpreted as a giant load in a HE machine.
- Extra-large load: If you have a HE washer, an extra-large load might entail roughly the following items: 12 men’s t-shirts, 12 pairs of socks, 6 skirts, 8 women’s sweaters, 7 men’s sweaters, 6 pairs of slacks, 6 pairs of underwear.
Duration of Loading of Laundry
Need something quick and clean to wear? The time required to finish a complete wash cycle varies on some variables, including:
- How big is your washer is
- Your washer’s brand and model information
- The load’s dimensions
- The chosen wash cycle type
- Manufacturers now offer more precisely tailored wash cycles for washing machines to better suit users’ demands depending on the fabric, load size, and degree of dirtiness. This means that the average cycle’s time range is more expansive than ever, but we identified a few standard wash cycles and a general idea of how long a load may take:
- 50 to 60 minutes for a typical wash cycle.
- 15 to 50 minutes for a quick wash cycle
- Gentle wash
How Much Energy Does a Load of Laundry Use?
The energy your washing machine uses every load varies depending on the wash cycle length and other elements, but this time there’s a new twist.
Compared to washing loads in cold water, warm or hot water uses more energy to heat the water. That contributes significantly to a predetermined kilowatt-hour rate.
- Most washing machines with an Energy Star certification utilize about 500 watts. The national average price per kilowatt-hour is approximately $0.12. We would use the following if we did one 30-minute load.
- 0.25 kWh daily
- 0.91 kWh monthly
- Annual energy costs of $10.95
FAQ
Q.1. How Many Pounds Of Laundry Fit In One Load?
A heavy load in a HE machine weighs around 11 pounds, whereas a typical load fits about 6 pounds. If you have a HE machine for extra-large loads, an extra-large load will weigh about 21 pounds when it is fully loaded.
Q.2. How Many Pounds Is An Average Bag Of Laundry?
A typical home laundry basket may contain about 10 pounds of soiled laundry, as shown in the following image. We added 10 pounds of laundry after setting the Scale to zero with an empty laundry basket.
Q.3. What Do 12 Pounds Of Laundry Look Like?
You can wash more or have to take some things out. For instance, a load of 12 pounds of laundry can include four pairs of jeans, two bath towels, and six T-shirts. You can load the washer and choose the proper cycle and water temperature.
Q.4. How Many Detergents Per Load?
Using only a tablespoon of laundry detergent for a typical load size. The liquid laundry detergent in the measuring cup is around ten times greater than required.
Q.5. What Is A Small Load Of Laundry?
One pound of laundry per cubic foot of the washer’s capacity, or around 1/3 full, is considered a modest load of laundry. A medium load of laundry is 2 pounds of laundry per cubic foot of the washer’s capacity or about half full of the tub.
Final Verdict
One benefit of doing laundry has time to do something you enjoy after it’s in the washer. Protect that spare time with assistance, whether for a stroll with the family or unwinding. Even if it’s just doing the laundry, you can find time for what you enjoy.
Even though it’s sometimes monotonous, you may make this chore more tolerable by acknowledging all the components of washing your clothes, bedsheets, and towels. Thus, the explanation of “How Many Pounds Is A Load Of Laundry” has been broadly mentioned above.