Smaller households with one or two people will be fine with a small-capacity washing machine (5-7kg). However, households with more than 4 members or those who wash clothes more than once a week should consider large-sized washing machines (9-10kg).
7kg washing machine – can fit around 35 T-Shirts or a double duvet and is suited for a small sized family. 8kg washing machine – can fit around 40 T-Shirts or a queen sized duvet and is suited for a medium sized family.
A 7 kg washing machine is usually big enough for a family of four people. It can typically hold fourteen pairs of women's jeans (weighing 0.5 kg each), or ten cotton towels (weighing 0.7 kg each) as a point of reference. (For more weight estimates see our weight calculator).
LG 7kg 5-star Semi-Automatic Top Loading Washing Machine
This LG 7 kg Semi-automatic Washing Machine lets you effortlessly wash clothes for a household of 5-7 people. It features many rollers that provide friction when washing clothes to remove dirt, mites, and stains.
A 7kg washing machine capacity can handle an average laundry load that can include; three shirts, two pairs of adult jeans, a pair of children's jeans. You might also be able to include small capacity household items like; three small towels, three dish towels, two bedsheets, and two pillow covers.
Like a 6kg washing machine, you can also wash blankets in your 7kg washing machine. The first thing you need to do is shake your blanket outside of your house and remove all dirt and dust as possible. After that put cold water and select gentle cycle in your 7kg washing machine.
The average washing machine has a drum capacity between 4.2 cubic feet and 4.5 cubic feet. This drum size can accommodate the laundry needs of a family of four.
Consider your laundry requirements
Consider the size of your household as well. In my experience, a washing machine of medium capacity (7kg-9kg) is perfectly suitable for a family of 4.
Can I wash a king-size duvet in a 7kg washing machine? Generally, a 7kg washing machine can comfortably wash a duvet for a double bed but not a king-sized bed. Although your duvet might fit after squeezing it into a 7kg drum, it probably won't get a reliable and thorough cleaning.
Medium-sized and small loads: 8kg
If that's the case, you'll need at least 8kg load capacity. This is suitable for the bedding of 2 to 3 people, for example. It's useful to know that all washing machines have a load sensor. This adjusts the cycle when you don't fill up the drum.
A regular washer suited for the majority of households is around 3.1 and 4.0 cubic feet and will let you load about 5 kg to 7 kg. Models between 4.2 and 4.5 cubic feet will let you load 9kgs or more.
The number of kilograms associated with washing machines refers to the amount of dry clothes the internal drum can hold and wash. Most machines range from 6kg to 9kg. For singles or couples, a 6kg machine will do the trick. If there are three or four of you, you'll want a 8kg load machine.
People with large or small loads. This is suitable for a medium size and it can wash a queen or a lightweight-size duvet. If there are three or four of you, you'll want an 8kg load machine.
From the rough estimates above, you can expect to fit around 35 shirts into your average 7kg washing machine. That being said, it's important to not overload your washing machine because garments may end up wrinkled or only partially cleaned, meaning you'll have to put another load on!
7kg washing machine can easily and comfortably wash three shirts, two pairs of adult pants, and one pair of children's jeans. And for household items, you can wash three towels, three dishwashing towels, and two bedsheets with two pillow cases.
If it's worth doing, it's not ALWAYS worth overdoing. Sometimes a big washing machine causes more problems than it solves. In general, bigger washing machines tend to use more water and more energy per wash cycle than a smaller model.
A note on Big Things
As a general guideline, you'll want a washer with a capacity of at least 6kg to efficiently wash the doona from a single-sized bed. Doubles will need 7kg, Queens 8kg, and Kings 9kg.
A 9-10kg washing machine will hold the main bedroom's king doona, while a washer with an 8kg capacity can fit the guest bedroom's queen doona with ease. When it's time to wash the kids' doonas, you'll ideally need a minimum 7-8kg capacity for a double bed doona, or a 6kg capacity for a single doona.
Your washing machine has a weight limit, so you should do everything to avoid overloading it. On average, washing machines can handle 5 kgs of clothes. Check out your machine's guide to make sure, but here's an approximate amount you can count with: Medium load – about 3-4 kgs of garments, washer is half full or above.
7kg Direct Drive Front Load Washer (WELS 4.5 Star, 60 Litres per wash)
Washing machines in the medium and large capacity category are most common, so look for capacities anywhere from 3.5 to 5 cubic feet if you want a more standard washer size. Any medium or large capacity washer should easily fit regular as well as large laundry loads.
The general consensus on how many loads of laundry an average four-person home will do is around eight to ten loads of laundry a week.
Standard washer and dryer sizes are generally 27 inches wide, 39 inches tall and 32 to 34 inches deep for front load units. Whereas, top load washers and dryers are typically 27 inches wide, 42 to 44 inches tall and less deep with depths of 27 to 28 inches.
As a rough guide most 7kg capacity machines will cope with a 10-tog double. But check with the machine's manufacturer first if you are in any doubt. Use about one third of the usual amount of detergent and wash at as high a temperature as the care label allows (above 60°C will kill dust mites).