How many gallons are in a load of laundry?

Author: Dr. Bernard Kub  |  Last update: Saturday, November 22, 2025

ENERGY STAR states that, on average, an ENERGY STAR certified washer uses 14 gallons of water per load, while a standard washing machine uses 20 gallons of water per load1. Based on this, an ENERGY STAR certified washer could save you about 6 gallons of water per load compared to a regular washer.

What is a normal size load of laundry?

How Much Does the Average Load of Laundry Weigh? Generally speaking, while the number of clothing items in a load will vary, a medium or regular-sized load of dirty clothes weighs around 6 pounds. Large loads of laundry weigh about 11 pounds and extra-large loads about 21 pounds.

How much does a load of laundry add to your water bill?

Washing machines and dryers consume a lot of energy and water, and the cost of this usage can add up over time. For example, the average washing machine uses 40 gallons of water per load, and the cost of this water usage can range anywhere from $0.002 to $0.005 per gallon.

What does 10 lbs of laundry look like?

To give you an idea of how much a typical load weighs, the following items all together weigh about 10 pounds: Seven pairs/sets of underwear. Seven pairs of socks. Five short-sleeve T-shirts.

How much is considered one load of laundry?

How big is a load of laundry? You have a medium or regular load if the drum is around half full, for a large load you'll have to fill it until three-quarters full, and if you have even more laundry to do, fill it up until you can fit your palm between the wall of the drum and your clothes.

How to get more Water from your High Efficiency Washer - Tips and Tricks - Rifter Tutorials

How many gallons of water does a washing machine use per cycle?

ENERGY STAR states that, on average, an ENERGY STAR certified washer uses 14 gallons of water per load, while a standard washing machine uses 20 gallons of water per load1. Based on this, an ENERGY STAR certified washer could save you about 6 gallons of water per load compared to a regular washer.

Is it cheaper to do laundry at home or at a laundromat?

Is it cheaper to do laundry at home or at a laundromat? In general, doing laundry at home can be more cost-effective over time compared to using a laundromat, especially when factoring in the initial investment in a washer and dryer.

What common household items weigh 10 pounds?

10+ pounds at home:
  • Average 3-month-old baby.
  • Laundry basket filled with towels or jeans.
  • Medium-sized bowling ball.
  • Small microwave oven.
  • Medium-sized cat or small dog.
  • Most vacuum cleaners.
  • Large garbage bag (filled)

How full is too full a washing machine?

If you overload the drum, there will be less water available for the detergent to dissolve in as the clothes will soak this up. We therefore recommend that you leave a hands width gap at the top of the washing machine drum when loading. This roughly equates to filling 3/4 of the drum.

How much is 12 lbs of clothes?

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 to load the washer and select the appropriate water temperature and cycle.

Does flushing the toilet raise your water bill?

A single flush costs just a fraction of a cent, so unless you're someone that makes a habit out of flushing the toilet on repeat, then there won't be much of an impact on your water bill. However, if there's an ongoing leak then you'll want to get it fixed right away, as you could end up footing an expensive bill!

How much does it cost to pay someone to do a load of laundry?

On average, prices range from $1.45 – $2.95 per pound of laundry, with some premium services charging upwards of $5 per pound. In urban areas and cities with a higher cost of living, such as New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, prices tend to be on the higher end of the spectrum.

How much does it cost to run a washing machine for 1 hour?

If you have a 2100W (2.1 kW) washing machine and you run it for an hour, it'll use 2.1kWh of electricity in that hour. If electricity costs 34p per unit, multiply 2.1kWh by 34p and you get a grand total of 71p.

How many towels can I wash at once?

Too many towels washed at once won't get clean, but too few means greater agitation for quicker wear and tear. Most front-loading washing machines can fit seven standard-size bath towels; top-loading washers can fit around nine or ten.

Is it better to wash small or large loads of laundry?

By overloading the washer, your clothing will not come out as clean. Overloading limits the movement of the clothes, and movement is what “shakes” the dirt and grime from clothing. In addition, an overloaded wash won't disperse the detergent properly.

How many clothes is one load?

The difference is the laundry's weight. The type of fabric plays a big role in the average weight of a load of laundry, but there are general guidelines. A large load of laundry in a large-capacity washing machine would be roughly 18 pounds or 16 T-shirts and 12 sweatshirts.

What colors are dark for laundry?

The dye in darker clothes can easily seep into lighter clothes during the laundry process, that's why it's best to wash dark-colored garments (black, grey, dark-brown, dark-green, olive, purple, indigo, navy blue, dark-red, crimson, and so on) in a separate batch.

Can I wash towels with clothes?

"Probably not," she admits—and other cleaning experts agree. "Technically, yes, you can wash towels with clothes, but it's generally best to separate them to avoid lint transfer, uneven wear, and hygiene concerns," says Organize With Marie CEO Marie Dreyer.

Why do they tell you not to lift after surgery?

It is not uncommon after surgery for a physician to limit the amount of lifting a patient is able to do to protect the incision from stress and tension.

How heavy is a gallon of water?

Solution: One gallon of water weighs approximately 8.34 pounds, which is equivalent to 3.785 kg.

What everyday items are 1 pound?

That being said, substitutes for 1 lb weights include cans of soup, bottles of salad dressing, and a bunch of kitchen utensils like forks, spoons, and knives held together by a rubber band.

What is the cheapest time of day to do laundry?

Most people will see that they have a lower tariff overnight, usually between 11 pm and 7 am. This is the best time to do your washing as you'll save money. Saving money on electricity is only part of the equation. In order to get the best possible wash, you also need to use top-quality products.

Why do people still use laundromats?

Cost-Effective Solution. For those living in apartments or smaller homes without laundry facilities, laundromats provide a budget-friendly alternative. The costs associated with owning a washer and dryer—like maintenance and energy bills—can add up. Laundromats allow you to pay only for what you need when you need it.

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