Written by Angela Reviewed by Daniel

The Surprising Reason Why Smalls Load Are A Big Problem

Doing the laundry isn’t exactly rocket science, is it? You chuck your clothes in, add some detergent, press a few buttons, and off you go. Easy peasy. But hold up, are you guilty of washing just a couple of items at a time? You know, like that one pair of jeans and a random T-shirt? Turns out, this little habit isn’t as harmless as you might think. Shocking, right?

Let’s dive into why small loads can actually be a massive problem for your washing machine, your clothes, and even your wallet.

What’s the Big Deal with Small Loads?

You’re probably thinking, “Surely doing a small load can’t be as bad as stuffing the machine to bursting point?” Wrong! While overloading gets all the bad press, underloading your washer is just as bad, maybe even worse. And here’s why.

When Is a Load Too Small?

Here’s a quick rule of thumb for you: if your washing drum is less than ⅓ full and looks emptier than a pub on a Monday morning, you’ve probably got a small load on your hands.

Let’s look at the load sizes and find out the good and the bad when it comes to washing machine drum loads;

Small load:
Less than a third of the drum is full. Think: a lonely hoodie and a pair of socks having a tumble.
Medium load
About half-full. This is the Goldilocks zone of washing.
Large load
Three-quarters full. Big family laundry day vibes.
Overload
When your clothes are squeezed tighter than a packed Tube at rush hour. With little to no space for the clothes to move freely as the drum rotates.

If you’re only filling the drum a little, your washer can go off-balance, spin weirdly, or, and this is the worst, just not spin at all. You’ll end up with wet clothes that sometimes don’t even get washed.

Why Small Loads Are a Big Problem

Two people putting clothes in a laundry basket from the washer

Underloading your washing machine can cause all sorts of issues. Don’t believe me? Let me explain;

1. Your Washing Machine Can Throw a Strop

Washing machines are clever little things, but they’re also kind of dramatic. If there’s not enough weight in the drum, it can start spinning all wonky. The drum goes lopsided, and you’ll hear your machine making noises like it’s trying to launch itself into orbit. Not cute.

And if this keeps happening, guess what? You could be calling a repairman or shelling out for a new machine. That’s not the kind of spending spree anyone wants.

You see, your washing machine was designed to work best at a certain weight of laundry. In fact, manufacturers advise you to never use the machine if your wash load is less than ½ of its capacity or more than ¾.

Which means an 8 kg capacity washer should have no more than 6 kg of laundry and no less than 4 kg to run properly. If you’re not sure of the capacity of your machine, break the habit of a lifetime and read the user manual

2. Your Clothes Get a Rough Ride

When there’s too much space in the drum, your clothes can move around too much. This can damage the fabric and make colours fade faster. And let’s be honest, who wants their favourite band tee looking 10 years older after just one wash?

Oh, and if you’re not adjusting the detergent for a small load, you’re basically marinating your clothes in soap. This can lead to slimy clothes and colours that fade way too fast.

3. Your Bills Will Make You Cry

Doing tiny loads more often means you’re using way more water, electricity, and detergent than you need to. It’s like filling your kettle to the brim just to make one cup of tea.

Wasteful, right? Plus, with energy prices what they are these days, nobody needs that kind of financial pain.

What Should You Do Instead?

There’s a simple fix to all this, which is… Wait until you’ve got at least a medium load before you start that wash cycle. Not only will your machine thank you, but your clothes and your bank account will too.

If you really must wash just a few bits, maybe you’re in a hurry or your gym kit’s starting to hum, try adding a couple of towels to balance things out. Problem solved.

Don’t Be a Serial Underloader

Look, nobody’s saying you have to be perfect. Life happens. But making a habit of small loads? That’s a fast track to broken machines, knackered clothes, and sky-high bills.

So next time you’re tempted to bung just a couple of things in the washer, think twice. Your future self (and your bank balance) will thank you.

Over To You

Ever had a washing machine breakdown because of dodgy loads? Or maybe you’ve got a laundry horror story to share? Drop your tales of washing woe in the comments, we’d love to hear them!

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