You’ve likely seen labels like 7KG, 8KG, or 10KG on washing machines in appliance stores or your home appliance. But what do these KG values truly represent? Are they referring to the weight of the machine or some other technical specification?
The correct answer is that “KG” denotes the maximum dry clothing load that the machine can handle in one cycle. In simpler terms, a 10KG washing machine can wash a maximum of 10kg of dry clothing.
“10KG” doesn’t mean you can stuff it to the brim.
Many people mistakenly believe that if their machine says 10KG, they can fill it to capacity. However, different types of fabrics have varying densities, directly impacting the volume and operational capability of the machine.
For instance, cotton fabric is light and fluffy, whereas jeans or bath towels are heavier and denser. If you overload the machine with heavy fabrics, even if the weight is under 10KG, the machine may struggle due to a lack of space for agitation and rotation. Consequently, your clothes might not get adequately cleaned, leading to potential damage or reduced appliance lifespan.
Estimating laundry load the right way
To avoid mishaps when using your washing machine, consider the following tips:
- Avoid filling more than 2/3 of the drum: This ensures adequate space for your clothes to move around, allowing detergent to penetrate the fibers effectively.
- Estimate by the number of garments: For a 10KG machine, you can wash approximately 10-12 cotton t-shirts or 2-3 standard bed sheet sets.
- Use a digital scale if needed: Weigh your dry clothes to ensure they don’t exceed the machine’s recommended load.
Wet clothes – a deceptive weight concern
It’s important to realize that washing machines calculate load based on the weight of dry clothing. Wet or damp clothes, such as rain-soaked garments, can double their weight compared to when they are dry.
This discrepancy can confuse the machine’s sensors, leading to incorrect water level selections, resulting in wasted energy and detergent while compromising cleaning effectiveness.
Recommendations:
If you must wash wet clothes, estimate their weight when dry and adjust the load accordingly.
Avoid washing extremely dirty or muddy clothes immediately; instead, rinse or soak them first to prevent dirt from redepositing on the cleaned clothes or damaging the machine drum.
Manually adjust water levels if your machine offers this feature.
Wash-Dryer Machines: Understanding the dual “KG” values
Some integrated washer-dryer machines will display values like “10KG/7KG.” The first number indicates the maximum washing capacity, while the second number represents the maximum drying capacity. Why the difference?
During the drying process, hot air needs to circulate around the clothes. Overloading the dryer can lead to insufficient heat reaching the clothes in the center, resulting in:
- Incomplete drying, requiring additional air-drying.
- Increased wrinkling, especially for shirts and delicate fabrics.
- Potential fabric damage, shrinkage, or melting near the hot air outlet.
Tips for optimal use of washer-dryer machines
- Only use about 60-70% of the machine’s stated capacity (around 6KG for a 10KG/7KG machine) to ensure effective drying.
- Select the appropriate program: Opt for the wash-dry cycle if you want to save time, but remember to reduce the load for the best results.
- Avoid putting flammable materials like lace or thin synthetic fibers in the dryer’s high-heat setting.
The “KG” value on washing machines refers to the maximum dry clothing capacity for washing or drying. Understanding and respecting this specification ensures efficient machine operation, prolongs the lifespan of your clothes, conserves energy and water, and prevents unnecessary mishaps.
