How to Load Your Washing Machine Correctly

Properly loading your washing machine is essential for achieving optimal results and extending the life of your appliance. Follow these expert guidelines to enhance your laundry routine, reduce waste, and keep your clothes looking their best.

1. Avoid Potential Issues

Start by sorting your clothes. Different fabrics and colours require different washing treatments. Separate your laundry into whites, darks, light-coloured clothes, and delicates. This prevents colours from bleeding and delicate fabrics from tearing.

For instance, dark colours often bleed a little, which can cause whites and lights to pick up the dye. To minimise fading, turn dark clothing, such as jeans, inside out. Always read the care labels on your clothing items for specific washing instructions.

2. Prepare Garments for Washing

Before loading the machine, check all pockets to prevent items from being damaged or damaging your washer. Close all zippers, fasten hooks, tie drawstrings, unroll cuffs, and turn pockets inside out. This prevents the metal teeth of zippers from catching on other clothing and causing tears.

3. Follow Proper Loading Order

Refer to your washer’s owner’s manual for the correct loading order. For front loaders, place heavy items first, followed by lighter ones. For top loaders, place items around the agitator, evenly distributing the load. Ensure no items are stuck between the door and the rubber gasket.

4. Don’t Overload the Machine

Resist the temptation to pack the drum with too many items. Overloading reduces washing performance and can cause serious damage to your appliance. Laundry needs space to move freely for effective cleaning, and detergent needs room to circulate. Overloading increases pressure within the drum, which can damage bearings or even shatter the glass door.

A standard drum holds up to 5kg of laundry; larger drums can hold more. Leave enough space at the top of the drum to fit your hand comfortably, which typically means filling the drum about three-quarters full.

5. Don’t Underload the Machine

Avoid under-loading the drum, as it is inefficient and can cause loud banging noises during the spin cycle due to an unbalanced load. An unbalanced load can also harm the drum and cause the cycle to not finish properly. Additionally, using too much detergent for a small load can break down your clothing faster.

6. Dose the Detergent Precisely

Correct detergent dosing is crucial. Too much detergent creates excess suds, which can leave residues that attract more dirt and make clothes look dingy. Residue build-up can also lead to bacterial growth, causing your washing machine to smell. Follow the detergent dosing instructions, considering load size, water hardness, and garment dirtiness. For half loads, use less detergent accordingly.

By following these steps, you’ll not only achieve better washing results but also extend the lifespan of your washing machine and clothes. At Repair Aid, we are committed to providing quality advice and ensuring customer satisfaction. For more tips and professional appliance repair services, don’t hesitate to contact us.