When you overload your washing machine, you're not just risking a bad wash (we're talking suds everywhere and stiff, itchy clothes) but potentially damaging the machine itself! Strain on the Motor: When the drum is overloaded, the motor is forced to work harder, increasing the risk of overheating or early failure.
Overloading the machine often causes the extra weight to unbalance the machine in the spin cycles. This will usually cause the machine to stop, but could damage the machine before it stops. If you catch the machine when it is unbalanced, you may be able to remove some of the heavier items and re start it.
Physical Signs: - Drum Space: If you can't easily fit your hand between the clothes and the top of the drum, it may be overloaded. - Clothes Not Moving Freely: If clothes are tightly packed and not moving around during the wash cycle, this indicates an overload.
Overloading also increases the pressure within the drum, especially when it is spinning at a high velocity. This could potentially cause damage to the drum bearings and worse still cause the glass door to shatter.
Drum Imbalance: When too many clothes are stuffed inside, the load becomes uneven, causing the drum to wobble and vibrate excessively. This imbalance stresses the machine, creating violent shaking and increasing the risk of damage to nearby components like hoses or electrical wiring.
When the wash basket is filled too high due to overloading, the washing machine can shake during the cycle. Running a single large, bulky item or one that is highly absorbent through a cycle can also throw the washer off balance and cause shaking.
Generally if your machine is half full, you have a medium load. A large load fills it up until three-quarters full, and anything above that is considered extra large.
Another problem with an overloaded washing machine relates to damaged clothes. With garment additions and accessories such as zips and buttons, it's possible that some of these may get caught on other clothes and as the drum spins, they may rip these clothes resulting in holes and tears.
Don't Overload the Machine
Even a large load of laundry should not fill the washer tub more than three-quarters full. For front-loading washing machines, pile clothes up high, but don't cram them past the last row of holes at the front (the row closest to the door).
A heavy, overloaded drum can easily become unbalanced, especially during the spin cycle. This can cause the machine to stop mid-cycle or fail to spin properly, leaving your clothes sopping wet.
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.
Laundry Machine Capacity
Medium-capacity top-loading washing machines can usually tolerate 7–8 pounds. The highest capacity top-loaders might do well with as much as 12–15 pounds. Front-loading washing machines often can hold as much as 18 pounds of clothing.
A household washing machine usually holds 7 or 8 lbs of laundry, but professional machines can handle larger loads.
The tub bearings of the drum might get worn down
They ensure the appliance doesn't damage itself with too much drum movement and so they play a very important role. By overloading your washing machine, you can put pressure on these bearings which, if they come loose, can cause serious damage.
An easy way to find out is using the 1-palm trick. By placing your hand into your machine's drum, you can see how much space is left. The perfect load is if you can't fit anything else in the drum, just your hand and your laundry. If you can't fit your hand into the drum, then your load is too big.
ROUGHLY 7 SHIRTS, 5 PAIRS OF PANTS, 10 TEES, 4 PAIRS OF SHORTS, 5 TOWELS, 20 SOCKS, and 15 UNDERGARMENTS.
If you overload the drum, the machine will still use the same amount of water. So there won't be enough water to wash the extra clothes you put in. As a result, your clothes will come out without being properly cleaned. The water might not reach some clothes at all, if they're tightly packed.
Overloading and type of washing machine can put extra strain on the motor, which will cause premature wear and tear and ultimately lead to costly appliance repair or even replacement. This is why we recommend following the manufacturer's guidelines for load size.
Small, heavy items can overload your washing machine and dryer just as much as large, lightweight items. Overloading your washing machine or dryer can reduce the cleaning performance and potentially cause other issues with your appliances as well.
CHECK IF YOUR WASHER BASKET OR DRUM IS LOOSE
If your washer is old and you hear a loud banging or clanging during the spin cycle, it's possible the shock absorbers or drum bearings have worn out, causing the basket or drum to get off-balance. Check that the basket or drum is visibly centered in the washer opening.
A broken motor coupler, failed lid switch or bad timer could also prevent this type of washer from spinning. On top-load, vertical modular washers (washers whose lid is always locked during the entire wash cycle), a failed shifter assembly or worn drive belt can prevent the washer from spinning the wash load.
Average washing machine lifespan
Well, this figure obviously varies depending on lots of different factors - including brand, model, how you use it, and how well you maintain it. But generally, if you look after your washing machine properly you should it expect it to last anywhere between 7 and 12 years.