Is it more efficient to wash full loads of laundry or smaller loads?

Answer 1

I used to do full loads all the time, but found that the clothes were not coming out completely clean. There was some soap and residue build up that was making the clothes kind of dingy. So now I put less clothes in. This means there is more water for less clothes, so they are rinsing cleaner. Either that or I would have to wash big loads twice till the rinse water came out clear.

To demonstrate this: take a basin and two shirts. Fill the basin up just to cover the two shirts. Wash them in this basin, and then rinse them once. Did you get all the soap out? and did the water feel clear? or were the clothes still kind of sitting in bilge water? Then take the same two shirts and wash them in the sink full of water. More water to slosh the shirts around in, and more rinse water.

I vote for smaller loads so there is more water for the clothes to slosh around in.

Answer 2

it depends on the type of washer you use. did you ever see those front loading machines in laundromats? they are MEANT to wash large loads of wash--so large that you really stuff them in there! but with a top loader, it is far more efficient to get the clothes clean the first time, and especially before you dry them, since if dirt is dried into the cloth, it will never come out.

if you do use a top loader (less efficient than front loaders, though, that is why you are seeing front loaders in appliance stores for consumers now) separate the clothes properly, let some water run into the machine, add liquid detergent along with other favorite laundry helpers (like bleech, bluing), then always put the larger, heavier items at the bottom followed by lighter wear. don't fill the top loader with too many clothes: they just will not come clean. it's also important to know which materials take what type of water, and how high you can put the heat up to on the dryer when you go to dry them.

it is also real easy to watch the clothing dry, pulling out small things like socks, underwear, shorts, lightweight shirts, etc., and folding and hanging them immediately while the heavier, larger items toss around in the dryer.

Answer 3

I found that larger loads work better. the electricity used is same amount for large loads as smaller ones so defeat the bill and go large. It will save you money in the long run doing less washes than doing small loads. two small loads cost twice the amount as one large load and don't forget about drying. Now when drying less is better. I do a large load and put half in the dryer for less time to dry. after you figure out how long it takes to dry you then can adjust. dryers do use more energy but if too many clothes go into it it will take a longer time to get them dry. Use judgement and it will save time and dollars.I only do one small load its usually whites, undergarments ect.

Answer 4

its more efficient to wash full loads in cold water, however you can't overfill the washing machine.
if you are using powdered soap, make sure to put the soap in 1st and let some water run. this will reconstitute the soap and you wont see a buildup on your clothes.
i have been using "tide coldwater" detergent. its really great! it smells really good too. i think that it really gets my clothes clean.
so try to save up your clothes until the end of the week and do a mostly full load. its too much of a waste of water and energy to run small loads all the time.

Answer 5

it doesn't take much more water to do a large load than a small one,and takes the same amount of electricity for both.it is definitely more economic to do full loads

Answer 6

full loads.