How to choose the correct weight of laundry to load a washing machine - consider dry or wet. Every home has an assistant in which you just need to place dirty things, and after a few hours you can enjoy the magical powers of its capabilities. In stores, the first question to sales consultants is about the likely loading of the model.
Everyone is sure: the larger the number of kilograms offered, the greater the number of items that can be washed in one cycle. Not everyone knows that information about kilograms is relative.
- Why is it necessary to know the weight of things?
- Correct loading of the washing machine
- We correctly determine the weight
- Maximum load of dry or wet laundry
- How does a machine determine the weight of laundry?
- Minimum drum load
- Catalog of washing machines with reviews
Why is it necessary to know the weight of things?
The weight of dry laundry depends on what items fit in the washing machine. If you choose an automatic program, you should still take into account the number of washes and how many times you plan to wash the laundry. It will not be possible to save and conserve cold water, powder and electricity. By loading more things into the car than the operation allows, the equipment will not last long.
Loading laundry into SMA
On the front panel of washing equipment they write 3, 5, or even 8 possible kilograms. Due to the excess of laundry needed for washing, increased vibration of the unit occurs, which, accordingly, can lead to rapid breakdown. Also, an excess of things in the drum is a big load for the motor, which can even burn out.
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The instructions indicate dry weight! This is important because some porous items, such as down jackets, absorb a lot of water. And the amount of water needed is determined by the free surface. As a result, overload may occur.
Indicator of the maximum capacity of dry laundry
This parameter is indicated extremely rarely; manufacturers simply talk about a large number of items being washed in order to save energy.
But the minimum load is no less important than the maximum. After all, it affects vibration during spinning, and therefore the duration of operation of the machine itself. But for some, being able to freshen up one shirt is more significant than saving. Clothes in a plastic basket
This rule works even if the washing machine is securely installed, because vibrations inside it still persist. This is fraught with serious damage as a result of microcracks that appear. Therefore, you should not wash just one handkerchief or socks.
Colored towels in the machine
We are talking about the number indicated on the front of almost any washing machine. It implies the maximum weight of dry laundry for a washing machine. In modern devices, manufacturers indicate 8 or even 12 kg. Technically, this means that either one turns the specified weight without overloading the engine. In practice, this is extremely difficult to do, because:
- things can be bulky and light, so it is impossible to wash a large number of them at one time;
- the structure of the fabric affects how it absorbs moisture, for example, a dry terry robe weighs about 2 kg, and a wet one - more than 4;
- the maximum load affects the quality of the wash.
This means you need to put fewer items in the washing machine to get them washed. Manufacturers indicate this information in the instructions using tables for the convenience of users.
Washing clothes
Knowing these rules, it is not difficult to get high-quality washed clothes and extend the life of the device. The main thing to remember is that you need to start not from the maximum load of the entire washing machine, but from the corresponding washing mode.
In fact, to comply with the conditions of proper operation, not only the concept of maximum, but also the concept of minimum load is important. The fact is that if during each washing cycle the machine is underloaded, this will lead to breakdown even faster than constant overload. Here are the main indicators for limiting the weight of items when washing:
- the minimum load is practically a constant, since in all washing machines this value is 1-1.5 kg. This means that less than one kilogram of laundry cannot be loaded into the drum;
- maximum load - this indicator varies depending on the capabilities of a particular model. Standard machines can hold from 5 kg to 7-8 kg of laundry. On the market you can find compact specimens with a maximum load of 3.5 kg and real ten-kilogram giants. If the maximum load indicator is, for example, 4 kg, this means that laundry with a larger total weight cannot be loaded into the washing machine.
It is advisable not to ignore these parameters and adhere to them every time you wash. Minimum values exist to ensure load distribution on the inner surface of the drum during spinning. If the load is less than the minimum, then at high speeds the walls of the laundry compartment are gradually damaged, and the machine breaks down faster. At the same time, the owner is completely bewildered, because he took such care of the equipment, loading it with a minimum of dirty laundry, but it broke down.
The maximum load indicator is also an important aspect. After all, the larger it is, the more capabilities the washing machine has - you can wash jackets, heavy blankets, and pillows in it.
In the reviews of some housewives you can see the following opinion: if the item fits into the machine, it means it will be washed, and you can not pay attention to its weight. However, it is not entirely correct - the maximum weight cannot be ignored.
The type of fabric that goes into the drum is very important in determining the wet and dry weight of an item. Light items will certainly become heavier when wet; dense fabrics change volume slightly.
Rice. 5 - Correct loading of the washing machine
- It is recommended to wash synthetic items by filling the drum halfway. This means that wet synthetics increase in weight from the dry state by more than 2 times.
- Only a third of the drum should be filled with wool products. Moreover, they only use a delicate wash cycle without spinning. Wool becomes very heavy when wet, so even a third of a drum of this fabric will spin the maximum load weight.
- A wet silk product will become as heavy as wool, so you can put no more than 1.5 kg of dry silk into the machine.
When the capacity of the machine is 5 kg, the cotton washing mode will allow you to wash two bathrobes and several towels. At the same time, it is necessary to leave free space in the drum so that the clothes rotate without problems. This will prevent things from twisting. In addition, the free space allows the machine to thoroughly wash and rinse the laundry, as well as remove excess liquid.
Even in the passport of modern washing machine models you can find that manufacturers allow washing with a load of less than a kilogram. And the minimum working weight is not indicated at all. That is, they admit that one shirt can be washed. Starting a wash cycle with only socks in the machine is definitely undesirable. It is the mass of things that is directly proportional to the vibrations of the drum during spinning. This characteristic is one of the most important in the service life of the machine.
Rice. 6 — Washing machine with the ability to adjust the load volume
Therefore, washing machine repair specialists recommend not testing the equipment with overloads. And fill the washing machine with a minimum of a kilogram - one and a half kilograms. The weight of the laundry for the washing machine - a table from the instruction manual - will show the acceptable values for washing for each type of fabric and mode. These recommendations cannot be neglected.
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Correct loading of the washing machine
Washing machine programs always indicate all the necessary information - you need to pay due attention to it. Even the simplest models have separate programs for jeans, wool, delicate fabrics, and synthetics.
The creators of washing machines do this for a reason - a certain type of fabric requires its own water temperature. In addition, the machine may even have parameters for the number of drum rotations and rinses, and so on.
More than one specialist worked on the creation of each mode, so there is no need to ignore the choice of the proper program for a particular type of fabric. It is necessary to properly pack things before washing, and then you will not have to blame television programs for bad advertising.
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For example, experienced housewives have long known that white linen should never be mixed with colored items when washing. If such products are not in danger in such a situation, then white ones will easily acquire an unnecessary shade.
Certain washing powders are intended for different things. Those that can easily cope with preserving the bright shade of colored items, unfortunately, will ruin white items.
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Many users often forget to check their pockets when loading laundry. Inattention and forgetfulness can lead to water getting into the drain filters and further clogging.
If you leave something dyed in your pocket, the results of such a wash will most likely leave you completely stunned. When loading laundry into the machine, you should fasten all the zippers and buttons, because the zipper can tear everything in its path. It is recommended to place delicate items (for example, nylon tights and stockings, bras) in mesh bags specially designed for this purpose before placing them in the washing assistant.
We correctly determine the weight
It would seem that nothing could be simpler than loading as much laundry into the washing machine as indicated on the machine panel or on its characteristics in the store. However, there are not those people who pre-weighed the laundry for subsequent washing.
As a result, the SMA is often heavily overloaded, which leads to its unnecessary wear and tear. In addition, in a jam-packed drum, stains simply cannot be removed from things.
Table - weight of various laundry for washing machine
Not all users of washing machines know that the maximum weight written on the panel is not available for all automatic programs. All this does not mean that you need to adapt and weigh the piles of laundry that have accumulated for washing at home. In most machines, full loading of the drum is possible only for cotton products, and even then not for all.
For example, for synthetics and delicate fabrics, as well as mixed fabrics, it is recommended to use only half the load. This type of loading is best used for express programs. Most operating instructions provide all the necessary information for a particular mode, but they are never read.
If you don’t have scales at hand, you can find out the required number at home. Some instructions sometimes contain information about how much a particular type of laundry weighs. For example, a tablecloth weighs on average 400-500 grams, children's onesies weigh less - 30-80 grams. At the same time, the weight of denim can reach 800 grams.
Of course, no one says that this information will be enough, and the weight of the indicated products will not fluctuate depending on many parameters. However, in order to enable the washing machine to wash things without overloading the drum, approximate data is sufficient.
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What is the minimum weight allowed for washing?
On the body of the washing machine or in its operating instructions we will always find an indicator of the maximum permissible weight, the limits of which should not be violated. Manufacturers, as a rule, do not indicate the minimum amount of linen by weight. And this factor, as well as the maximum volume, should be taken into account in order to avoid improper operation of the equipment or poor quality of washing. The standard minimum for most SMAs is 1-1.5 kg of laundry.
If you load less than this weight, then most likely there is an unbalanced distribution of the load, as a result of which things are poorly washed, rinsed, or insufficiently spun. The last factor is the most common reason when the camera load is minimal.
On a note! Models of recent years have no minimum restrictions, unless specifically stated in the instructions. When using earlier SMAs, this indicator should be taken into account.
Maximum load of dry or wet laundry
It is worth noting that many manufacturers deliberately overestimate the possible permissible weight in order to improve sales figures. Thus, most users note that it is not always possible to fit even the weight intended for it into the drum.
To understand the principle of loading things, it is enough to remember how to wash, for example, a blanket in a basin. He can fit in there without any difficulty. In order to wash it, you will have to put in a lot of effort - it is much easier to do this in a bathroom, which is several times larger in volume.
A similar situation occurs with the drum of a washing machine. No one will weigh wet laundry first and then put it in, so they usually measure it while it’s still dry. If you don’t have the operating instructions or scales at hand, you need to understand that for the washing machine it will be enough if it is loaded approximately 2/3.
This rule is suitable for all programs, and the washing machine will withstand its service life without failures. Evenly distributing the laundry throughout the drum will allow it to perform proper rinsing and washing.
Linen weight depending on fabric type
After the item of household appliances and the instructions for it have been studied, a completely logical question arises: which laundry should be taken as a guide when calculating the weight of the load - dry or wet?
Manufacturers claim that, of course, the instructions refer to the mass of dry things loaded into the drum. After all, no one will wet the laundry before washing, weigh it, and then wait until it dries before putting it in the washing machine.
But there are some nuances here. For example, if the weight of bed linen for washing is 3 kg, then when wet it will be much lighter than a three-kilogram wool blanket. What should you pay attention to?
- Firstly, with the same mass, different tissues occupy completely different volumes.
- Secondly, the weight of a wet product will also depend on the type of fabric from which it is made.
As a hint for housewives, you can find a special table on the Internet that shows what the weight of laundry should be for well-known brands of washing machines, depending on the maximum load.
If you pay attention to the information presented in it, the conclusion suggests itself that, regardless of the manufacturer, the parameters are almost the same for all models:
- cotton fabric can be considered the standard and the main guideline, therefore, if the machine load is 6 kg, then in the cotton mode you can load 6 kg of not wet or damp, but dry things;
- on the synthetic program it is better to wash half as many items; with a load of 6 kg, laundry weighing 2.5-3 kg will be enough;
- the weight of dry laundry for washing woolen items should be approximately three times less than the maximum allowable, approximately 1.5 kg for all models;
- in the “Delicate Wash” mode, the weight of dry items should be half or even a third of the maximum possible. This figure is approximately 2 kg;
- The “Quick Wash” program means that the weight of the loaded laundry cannot exceed a third of the limit. This is approximately 2 kg.
If you adhere to these rules, your faithful assistant will not malfunction for many years.
If you ignore the above tips, then problems with smart home appliances cannot be avoided; very soon you may need a major overhaul, which is no cheaper in cost than a new machine. These parameters are the same for both front-loading and top-loading washing machines.
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How does a machine determine the weight of laundry?
Most manufacturers say with confidence that washing machines can easily detect a lot of things in it. Thanks to these judgments, many housewives are confident that the SMA has its own scales.
In fact, there is nothing like that in the car. When the drum rotates, there is a certain amount of current in the washing machine. Based on this speed dependence, the machine calculates the load.
Different types of laundry require different amounts of water. As a result, the washing machine wets the items, and then draws the required amount of water for the weight of the selected laundry.
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It turns out that the machine selects the mode that is suitable so as not to overload its motor in terms of current. This function allows the washing machine module to independently select the amount of water and the required washing program.
Thus, it is worth understanding that the machine does not use any scales. The unit ensures that the laundry is thoroughly washed by collecting the required amount of water.
Automatic weighing option in modern AGRs
Modern SMAs are quite “smart”; one of the indicators of this is the ability to automatically weigh the mass of clothes loaded for washing. What is the point of this innovation? The user does not need to think about how much the soiled laundry weighs when it is sent into the machine chamber. The equipment itself determines the weight, calculates the volume of water required for the washing procedure, includes the washing, rinsing and drying process that is optimal for each specific case, and completes the task. The second advantage of the function of automatically determining the weight of loaded items is guaranteed protection against overloads.
Know! There is no need to worry about the possible loading of excess laundry into the chamber. In this case, the washing process simply will not start with the auto-weighing option.
How it works? The engine located on the drum axis performs a certain work and, in accordance with it, uses the power necessary to rotate the chamber of the machine with loaded things. These indicators are read by the electronic filling of the system, calculate the weight of the laundry and display it on the monitor of the control unit. At the same time, the optimal washing program is calculated. If there was an overload when loading things, the system will report this and block the start of the washing process.
Minimum drum load
You should not start washing things that generally weigh less than 1 kilogram. At a minimum, this is not economical in terms of energy and water consumption. Modern washing machines have functions for automatically selecting water, current and the number of drum rotations, but there will still be excess consumption.
The drum rotates more intensely during spinning, which can lead to damage when washing a small amount of items. The fact is that things can slip into the connecting parts between the drum and the tank, and this is extremely dangerous for the further operation of the washing unit.
You need to be more attentive to household appliances and adhere to the rules of their operation. When sorting things for washing, be aware of the permissible weight of the equipment used. If you follow all the simple rules, the machine will thank you in the form of well-washed items, and will also work flawlessly for many years to come.
