@neptunebob-
Jerome has worded it better than I can. But I think it boils down to the fact people hate doing laundry and let everything pile up until there aren't any clean clothes, towels and bed sheets available. They then stuff everything into one load, dry everything in one load, then repeat the cycle.
If it all fits, and it all
appears reasonably clean, then the average consumer doesn't see anything wrong to get bothered by.
Me- I sort loads into bed sheets, delicates, undergarments, comforters, rags, jeans/shirts/socks, hang dry, ect.
Each load gets its own cycle and temperature.
Bed sheets go on warm (colored) or hot (allergy, white sheets). Washed in the Permanent press cycle because of the first spin being slow.
Rags, very dirty towels, soiled underwear, and socks are washed in hot. Heavy time, regular cycle, two or three Tide pods.
Jeans in warm wash, regular cycle.
Shirts, average towels, pants, ect warm wash regular cycle.
Undergarments, dresses, panties, cold or cold topped with warm, delicate cycle, Woolite detergent.
Nightgowns, casuals, ect warm wash delicate cycle.
Comforters washed in hot water, delicate cycle then set to one final spin on the regular cycle before being put into the dryer.
Soak cycle as a prewash for heavily soiled items, will pause the timer if extra soak time is needed.
Water level set to match the load size.
Extra rinse if needed. Softener added to the final rinse if desired.
One Tide pod works 90% of the time, two or three if the load is soiled enough.
It works. No larger tub necessary.