what is capacity

[vacuumfreeeke]

When a washer or dryer says it will hold so many pounds of clothes, is that wet or dry? What is a average amount of poundage and what is considered a large capacity machine. Are people actually supposed to put their hamper on a bathroom scale to make sure they don't stress out the laundry machine?

Thanks!

 

[tomturbomatic]

Washers are rated on dry weight, dryers on wet weight so in many cases of older washers, a 10 pound dry weight washer load went into the dryer weighing 20 pounds meaning the load held roughly a gallon of water after the spin. Some extracted far better and some were worse. Volume of drum or basket makes more sense. Load the washer without packing tight; no need to weigh. Besides, heavier fabrics like cotton towels will accumulate weight faster than light weight synthetics so a load of synthetics that fills the machine might weigh half of what a full load of heavy cottons would.

 

[toggleswitch]

Im fuzzy on this, but I thougth that Uncle Sam considers 10 (or was it 12?) pounds or less "compact". More than 10 (to 12) pounds as a full-sized washer.

There is a big difference between an 13 pound load and a 20 pound load, both of which are considerd (based on the above) "full-sized" machines.

My Sears branded "World-washer" portable/compact top-load washer was rated to hold about 10 lbs.

 

[charbee]

I seem to remember a series of washers that would allow you to actually weigh the clothes by placing them on the open lid, so that you'd know when you had a "full" load. Or was I just hallucinating again....?

 

[DADoES]

Westinghouse, both frontloaders and toploaders, had their Weigh-to-Save lid.

But as has been said, weight isn't everything. Volume is also important. Eighteen pounds of nylon lingerie/negligees would need more space than 18 pounds of denim jeans.

 

[bajaespuma]

Size matters, but most important is horizontal vs. vertical

Although I'm a GE devotee, I'll never forget the V-12 machines (rated capacity of "heavy mixed fabrics") that miraculously became V-14 machines for a couple of years, then, even more miraculously, became "HEAVY DUTY 16" machines for about a decade. After filling our V-12 machine to the gills(tub retainer ring) with dry laundry, I measured the load topped-out at 10 lbs. using a balance beam. I suppose 2 more pounds could have been packed in, but nothing would have moved around. Maytag used to dodge the issue handily labeling their 1970 machines as "Regular" and "Large" capacity models. My LG, currently, can be stuffed with about 20 lbs. of mixed laundry and it will wash it without a hitch. I don't launder my lead aprons or my automobile tarpaulins. Sorry GE.

 

[brisnat81]

Size in Weight isnt necessarily and indicator of capacity

The capacity of a machine is about usable volume.

In Australia all machines are rated by weight, so in theory an 8kg machine holds more than a 5.5kg machine.

With our toploaders there are usually 2 cabinet sizes, 60cm and then 68-72cm. The 60cm machines usually can hold no more than about 6kg, the wider machines can hold 7-10kg as a rule.

With frontloaders 95% of them are in the Eurosize 60x60cm cabinet. LG for example used to market an 8kg machine that only has a 50L drum. My Miele has a 57L drum and is rated at 5.5kg. Technically, I can fit more in my 5.5Kg machine than I could in an 8kg LG.

The best way to measure capacity, particularily with a FL in a Euro size cabinet, is to take a standard load of laundry along and check that it fits inside the machine. That is the only true way to measure capcity when it is advertised by weight. Remember, with the Eurosized front loaders, they can filled to brimming as long as the door still closes and nothing is caught between the door and the boot. I regularily pack my Miele full and as soon as it fills, the clothes height drops down to 3/4 of the drum and there is then plenty of tumbling room.

 

[brisnat81]

The exception to packing it full

Is anything that is likely to crease badly.

Business Shirts, Linen or anything you dont want to spend days ironing, should only be lightly filled. No packing.

 

[dj-gabriele]

I can do nothing if not completely agree with Nathan!