Ever found yourself straining to stuff all of your laundry into a small washing machine? Hoping to clean a whole family’s worth of clothing within just one wash? It’s a surprisingly common issue! There’s nothing more annoying than having a washing machine that is simply a few sizes too small for your needs.

But how are you supposed to know if a washing machine has the right capacity for you? If you’re washing for an entire family, how can you be sure that it’s going to have enough space for the task?

With our guide, you can avoid ever over-stuffing or under-stuffing your washing machine again! You’ll want to keep reading down below, as we take a look at the various washing machine sizes to find the perfect one for you!

What Size Washing Machine Should You Have For A Family?

Washing machines are generally categorised based on their drum size. Smaller washing machines are those that have a drum size closer to 6 or 7 kg. These are best for those who live alone, as they can handle only a smaller amount of laundry at one time.

If you need a washing machine for an average family, you’ll need one with a drum of around 10kg. Washing machines of this size have enough space for much larger laundry loads, making them great for average families. If you need to perform multiple washes a week, then 10kg would be great for you.

However, if you have a slightly larger family with plenty of laundry needs, it’s always recommended to opt for an extra large washing machine with a capacity of over 11 kg!

A family will need a much larger washing machine, preferably with a capacity of over 10kg. With this size, a family could easily wash tons of clothes without needing to perform multiple washes!

No matter which washing machine you opt for, you should always be sure to grab one that will comfortably accommodate your average laundry loads while still leaving a bit of wiggle room. You want to be careful to avoid ever over-stuffing your washing machine!

What Would Happen If You Over-Stuffed Your Washing Machine?

Over-stuffing may not present an immediate threat to your washing machine, but it can have serious ramifications over time.

Any time you over-stuff a washing machine, the laundry placed within the drum be unableto move about during the spin cycle. In order for dirt and grime to be lifted from your laundry, it needs to be able to move around within the drum, to get in contact with the water and detergent! If your laundry can’t move, it simply won’t be cleaned correctly!

Over-stuffing your washing machine can also put a significant strain on the drum. Putting too much pressure on the drum will cause the motor to spin off balance. Over time, pressure on the drum will cause more permanent damage that could result in costly repairs. Washing machines can last for numerous years if cared for properly. So always be sure to never over-stuff yours!

What Would Happen If You Understuffed Your Washing Machine?

Want to avoid overstuffing your washing machine? Be careful not to overcompensate and end up under-stuffing your washing machine instead! While under-stuffing is not quite as severe, it can still result in damage to the central motor of the machine.

Washing machines are designed to handle a specific laundry weight and spin accordingly. Providing too little weight will also cause the drum to spin off balance.

Whenever looking for a washing machine, you should be sure that you can fill it sufficiently. You don’t want to put too much or too little weight on the drum. This would lead to costly damage!

Is It Worth Getting A 10kg Washing Machine?

If you need to perform some heavy-duty washing tasks multiple times a week, then a 10kg washing machine would absolutely be worth your while.

However, if you live alone, and you only need to perform 1 or 2 washing tasks a week, then a smaller washing machine would be much better for you!

Is An 8kg Washing Machine Enough For 2 People?

Absolutely. In fact, 8kg washing machines are often termed as “Standard” washing machines. These are the most common washing machine sizes available on the market, and they’re great for couples or those who need to share a space with a flatmate.

8kg washing machines have enough capacity for multiple clothing items. For couples who want to cut down on their energy usage, these washing machines are incredibly useful.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Size Washing Machine Do I Need For A Family?

To comfortably wash an entire family’s laundry without over or under-stuffing, you’ll need a washing machine with a total capacity of 10kg. Such a size can accommodate larger loads while also allowing space for laundry to move around within the drum. If you have a much larger family, then you should grab a washing machine with a capacity greater than 11 kg!

Is A 9kg Washing Machine Big Enough For A Family?

9kg may be enough capacity for a small family. However, it is best to opt for a larger washing machine with a 10kg drum capacity. With a 9kg washing machine, you may run the risk of over-stuffing the drum, which can directly cause a number of long-term issues that are costly to repair.

Can I Wash A King Size Duvet In An 8kg Washing Machine?

An 8kg washing machine is best suited for washing duvets of a slightly smaller size than king-size duvets. Stuffing a king-size duvet into an 8kg washing machine would prove to be a tight fit. So tight, in fact, that it may result in the duvet not being fully cleaned. If planning to clean a king-size duvet, it’s best to use a 9kg washing machine.

How Many Towels In An 8kg Washing Machine?

An 8kg washing machine is around average size. An 8kg washing machine would easily be able to handle 5 small towels or 2 large towels placed into the drum within a single cycle. If you need to wash more towels, we’d recommend using a larger washing machine to do the job.