One of the key factors in ending up with truly clean laundry is not to overload the washer. If the washer tub is jam-packed, some clothes will have limited exposure time to the cleaning solution and come out with their original stains and odor. Your washer machine size chart should let you know the capacity of your washer so you don't overstuff it.
If you have lost your washing machine manualand you need to know the capacity of your washer tub, it is simple to calculate. This is also helpful if you want to replace an older machine with one with the same washing capacity.Determining your washer's capacity will also help you know how many clothes it should hold in every load to get good results.
Below are some guidelines to help, including how to calculate the washer tub size, the weight of your dirty laundry, and more.
The Formula to Calculate Tub Capacity of a Washer
Use this equation to calculate the volume or holding capacity of thewashing machine tub; assuming all measurements are in feet.
r = radius (feet); remember r = diameter divided by two
D = depth (feet); in classic geometrical terms the height of the cylinder
Note: The units result in (cu. ft.). ft × ft × ft = cubic feet.
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How to Calculate the Tub Volume or Capacity of a Washer
Make all measurements in feet.
Measure the radius of the tub; from the center of the tub to the outside wall of the tub. Alternatively, measure the diameter and divide by two. This is the radius.
Using the formula, multiply the radius by the radius; note this is not the same as multiplying the radius by two. This is equivalent to the radius squared.
Multiply the radius squared from step threeabove by pi (3.14).
Multiply the value from step fourby the depth of the tub to find the cubic feet volume or capacity of the washer.
If you are searching for a new washer, different stylesare sold with the capacity listed in cubic feet. Now that you know the size of your washer drum, you can figure out how much laundry it will hold in each load. Remember, while it is economical in both utility costs and time management to do full loads, you should never cram clothes and overstuff a washer just because you can.Always check your manual to see specifics for your model washer, but here is a washing machine load size chart with average load capacities for various size washers.
Machine Type*
Cubic Feet
Pounds of Laundry Per Load
Compact
1.5 to 3.4
4 to 8
Standard
3.5 to 4.4
12 to 16
Large
4.5 to 5.0
16 to 20
Extra-Large
5.1 to 6.2
20 to 25
*Machine type applies to both top-loading and front-loading washing machines.
How Much Does Laundry Weigh?
When automatic washers became commonplace in homes in the 1950s and 1960s, the washer manufacturers began using the term "load of laundry."At that time, the capacity of most washers averaged 8 pounds of clothes or linens. As washers became larger so did the pound limits of "a load." The introduction of high-efficiency washers that contain no center agitator increased the load capacity. Front-loading high-efficiency washers rely on a tumbling action to move clothes through the cleaning solution and top-loading high-efficiency washers use a bottom paddle agitator leaving more space for dirty clothes.
To give you an idea of how much dirty laundry weighs, here are some guidelines:
Type Of Laundry
What It Weighs
XL T-shirt
.5 pounds
Medium Blue Jeans
1.6 pounds
Medium Sweatshirt
.9 pounds
One Full-Size Bed Sheet
1.3 pounds
One Large Bath Towel or Beach Towel
1.6 pounds
These weights give you a good guideline as to how many of each item can fit in a load of laundry. After you have sorted the laundry (as you always do, right?), you should weigh your empty laundry basket and then fill it with what you estimate as a full load of dirty clothes. Weigh the filled basket again and adjust appropriately. You may be able to wash more or you may need to remove some items. As an example, 12 pounds of laundry might look like a load of two bath towels, six T-shirts, and four pairs of jeans.
Now you're ready toload the washerand select the appropriate water temperature and cycle. If you have several members of the household doing laundry, take some photos of a full load or post the appropriate weights on a bulletin board. It might just give you cleaner clothes and help your washer last longer.
If you follow this formula, you'll be able to get the capacity of your washing machine in cubic feet. For example, if you have a machine with a diameter of 1.5 feet and its depth is 0.5 feet, the volume will be 1.5*1.5*3.141*0.5 = 3.533 cubic feet.
If you follow this formula, you'll be able to get the capacity of your washing machine in cubic feet. For example, if you have a machine with a diameter of 1.5 feet and its depth is 0.5 feet, the volume will be 1.5*1.5*3.141*0.5 = 3.533 cubic feet.
A regular-capacity washer between 3.1 and 4.0 cubic feet will let you load in 12 to 16 pounds of laundry, while a larger-capacity model between 4.2 and 4.5 cubic feet can hold up to 20 pounds or more.
As a rule of thumb, 12 pounds of laundry is appropriate for a standard capacity top load washer, 15 to 18 pounds for a front-load washer, and 20 to 22 pounds for an extra large capacity front load washer. These weights give you a good guideline as to how many of each item can fit in a load of laundry.
The most effective way to determine the right load capacity of the washing machine for your family is to weigh the average load of the laundry you wash in one cycle. This may sound obscure, but it is a handy tip that works! Once you know this, you can look for a washing machine with a suitable load capacity.
Can I Wash a King-Size Comforter? Clothes and bedding can only clean effectively if they have enough room to move inside of the washer drum. A king-size comforter should have room to move freely in a large capacity washer with at least 5.0 cu. ft.
What is considered a large capacity washer? A large capacity washer is generally considered 4.5 Cu. Ft. capacity or more and can sometimes be taller or wider than a standard washer.
More specifically to successfully wash a king-sized comforter, you need a washer that has a drum capacity of 5.0 cubic feet or larger. The washer should be a front-loading washer or a top-loading washer without or with a removable center agitator.
Another question that commonly gets asked is: “can you break a washing machine by overloading it?” Unfortunately, the answer is “yes”. And this can mean needing to have your washing machine repaired or in the worst case scenario, having it replaced altogether. All this can be costly but is also easily avoidable.
15 pounds or laundry can include: 3 jeans, 3 pants, 5 shirts, 3 towels, 7 pairs of socks, 4 sweatshirts and 9 pairs of underwear. This is a rough estimate and final weights depend on material and overall weight of each item but should help give you a rough idea.
A compact washer (2-3.5 cubic feet) is suitable for singles or couples, a medium-sized one (3.5-5.5 cubic feet) is ideal for small families, and larger families (5 or more members) may require a washer with over 5.5 cubic feet capacity.
Also, be sure to make the load even, especially with top loading machines with an agitator. For reference, a typical front-loading washing machine can hold around seven bath towels, and a top loading machine can hold around 10. Use Less Detergent – Using too much laundry detergent can cause your towels to get stiff.
A washer with a 4.5-cubic-foot tub (also sometimes referred to as a medium-size washer) can process around 16 pounds of laundry or less, which is equivalent to about 11 towels. A 5-cubic-foot washer can handle between 18 and 25 pounds of laundry, or the equivalent of 18 towels.
As a rule of thumb, bigger families (over 3 people in total) will require a 4 to 4.5 cubic feet washer for optimal effectiveness. For reference, 4 cubic feet can wash up to 16 pounds while a 4.5 cubic feet machine can wash 20 pounds of laundry.
Introduction: My name is Aracelis Kilback, I am a nice, gentle, agreeable, joyous, attractive, combative, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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