Washer & Dryer Load Capacity Guide
How much laundry fits by drum size.
Load Capacity by Drum Size
| Drum size | Approx. load | What fits |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2 cu ft | 8-10 lb | A few days of clothes for one or two people; compact and stackable units. |
| 3.5 cu ft | 12-14 lb | A typical family load of everyday clothes or a set of sheets and towels. |
| 4.5 cu ft | 16-20 lb | Large family loads; many models can handle a king-size comforter. |
| 5 cu ft | 20-22 lb | Extra-large loads, bulky bedding and fewer loads per week. |
Loading Tips
- Fill the drum loosely — clothes need room to tumble. Packing it tight cleans poorly and strains bearings and belts.
- Pair your dryer to your washer: a dryer drum should be roughly twice the washer's capacity so clothes dry evenly.
- Wash bulky items like comforters on their own, and check the care label and your manual's maximum.
- Repeated overloading is a common cause of unbalanced-load errors, suspension wear and shaking.
Washer shaking or dryer taking forever? See Washing Machine repair and Dryer repair.
Get it fixed in West Virginia
Tools help you understand the problem; a technician fixes it. Call (844) 442-1999 for an upfront quote.
Refrigerator Repair
A household refrigerator keeps fresh food cold with a fresh-food section and usually a freezer compartment, cooled by a sealed refrigerant system and a set of fans.
View serviceWashing Machine Repair
A washing machine fills a tub with water, agitates or tumbles laundry with detergent, then drains and spins water out of the clothes.
View serviceDryer Repair
A clothes dryer tumbles wet laundry in a heated drum and vents moist air outside through a duct.
View serviceDishwasher Repair
A dishwasher sprays heated water and detergent over loaded dishes, drains the dirty water, rinses and dries them in a timed cycle.
View serviceOven Repair
An oven is an enclosed heated cavity, gas or electric, that bakes, roasts and broils using a thermostat or sensor to hold temperature.
View serviceRange Repair
A range combines a cooktop and an oven in one freestanding or slide-in unit, powered by gas, electricity or both.
View serviceMicrowave Repair
A microwave uses a magnetron to produce microwave energy that heats food inside a shielded cavity, in countertop, over-the-range or built-in styles.
View serviceIce Maker Repair
A built-in ice maker is a dedicated undercounter appliance that freezes clear ice cubes on an evaporator plate and stores them in an insulated bin.
View serviceMore free tools
- Appliance Error Code Lookup
- Appliance Symptom Checker
- Troubleshooting Wizard
- Repair Cost Calculator
- Repair vs Replace Calculator
- Parts Price Estimator
- Instant Repair Quote
- Maintenance Schedule Generator
- Filter Replacement Calculator
- Appliance Lifespan Checker
- Energy Cost Calculator
- Model Number Finder & Decoder
- Warranty Checker
- Appliance Recall Lookup
- Refrigerator Size Calculator
- Schedule an Appointment
- Technician Availability
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