When loading the washing machine, do you fill the machine to capacity to maximize the amount of clothes you can wash? This common mistake can cause more harm than good. So, next time you’re at the laundromat remember, avoid overloading the machine! Here are some of the possible outcomes of jammed laundry machines.

• An overloaded machine can lead to wrinkled clothes. Increased wrinkles in clothes can create more creases to catch dirt and prevent them from becoming as clean as possible.

• A high-clothes volume limits the amount of room available for water in the machine. This means lower water circulation to wash your clothes, which can also compromise the cleanliness of your clothes.

• Large loads often prevent detergent from being properly washed from your clothes, meaning another rinse cycle for clean clothes.

• If your load is too compact, damage can be done to clothes as they rub against the agitators.

At the laundromat, avoid overloading the machine by loading your clothes into multiple machines. Yes, using more machines is costlier; however, you’ll save money and time in the long-run as you won’t have to do additional cycles and you’ll minimize the chance of clothes getting damaged and having to replace them.

So How Much Do I Fill up the Washing Machine?

As a rule-of-thumb, don’t fill the machine more than three-quarters full. If you’re dealing with a front-loaded washing machine, don’t fill past the last row of holes nearest to the doors. This will help you optimize the washing machine’s space without compromising its effectiveness or efficiency.