Laundry time can be a dreaded time during the day and week, taking up precious time and energy. But you can create a washing schedule to help keep you motivated. The question is, how many loads of washing should you do in a week?
Doing no more than 5 loads of washing per week is optimal for any household to maintain the quality of clothes and machines. It also helps protect the environment. Do not overload the washing machine though. This can result in the clothes not being washed properly and can damage your washing machine.
We’ve got lots of useful tips for planning your washing in the best way. Keep reading.
How many loads of washing is too many?
More than 5 loads of washing in a week is too many loads of washing. Aside from this being bad on your washer, it could ruin the fabric of your clothes. Although there are some items that can be washed twice a week – more of that later, you should still follow the standard timeline and the right amount of detergent for each load.
Now, it is important to note that load capacity will vary depending on what type of machine you will be working with. Low-capacity top-loaders typically accommodate 2.7 kilograms for a total load. A medium-capacity top loader will suit 3 kilograms. The highest capacity of a traditional top loader will do well with 5-6 kilograms in a single wash. When it comes to doing laundry, many people will try to do too much at once. This can lead to a lot of laundry piling up in the machine, which is not good for the machine and could cause damage.
Remember, you should not overload the washing machine with piles of clothing, linen and towels while doing laundry. This is because it will take more time for the machine to do its job and you may end up with dirty clothes that still need to be washed. So, how many items of clothing can fit into one load? Well, we have curated a list of items to equate to a 4-kilogram load:
- Seven pairs/sets of underwear
- Seven pairs of socks
- Five short-sleeve T-shirts
- Two long-sleeve shirts
- One sweatshirt or sweater
- Two pairs of jeans or four pairs of shorts
- One sheet set
- One towel.
Choosing the correct load size and cycles will be efficient and considerate of your water usage and the environmental impact. Washing a full load of laundry is the most water conscious choice. If you have a few items to clean, take time to adjust the settings on your washer to the smallest capacity possible. Not only selecting the right cycle for each load will save water it will also improve your cleaning results.
The right way to do your weekly washing
Below we have compiled a small guide to help you do your weekly washing.
Split up clothes correctly
When you separate clothes in the washing machine, it can be difficult to know which pieces need to go together. There are two different methods for doing this. The first is by colour and the second is by fabric type.
Separate your dark clothes from your light clothes, and then put them in different loads of laundry detergent. When you separate your clothes correctly, you will have a cleaner result. Make sure to also separate abrasive fabrics like denim to the delicate ones. You can make a cleaning game out of sorting washing either to entertain yourself or your family during chore time.
Pick the right water temperature
When you are doing laundry, it can be difficult to decide what the correct water temperature is. There are a few factors that contribute to the decision, such as the type of clothes you are washing, how much detergent you use, and whether you want your clothes to be clean or soft.
For example, if you are washing thin fabrics that don’t need a lot of cleaning power, like silk or cotton sheets, then cold water will work just fine. If you need more cleaning power for thick fabrics like wool sweaters or towels, then hot water will work better.
Select the perfect detergent and fabric softener
The best detergent for your laundry is one that has a long list of active ingredients to make sure the clothes are clean and fresh for the next day. The best fabric softener will be one that leaves no residue on your clothes but is also gentle enough to not damage the fibres of the garment.
Clean your washing machine regularly
We all have to do our part in keeping our homes clean. Even if it means doing the laundry every day, you should never let your washing machine get too dirty. If you are looking for a way to keep your machine clean and maintain its performance, then you might want to consider using a laundry detergent. This is because detergents can help remove stains and dirt from your washing machine’s interior without causing any damage to the appliance itself. If you let your laundry become dirty, your clothes won’t be fresh for wear after washing.
How often should you wash different items?
When it comes to clothes, the number of times you should wash them is based on how much you’ve worn it. Indeed, timing matters in doing your laundry. Especially the cleaning method. The table below specifies how often you should wash different items.
| Item of Clothing: | How often you should wash it: |
| Anything white or silk | After every wear |
| Bras | 3 to 4 wears |
| Down parkas and vests | 2 times a season |
| Dress pants and skirts | 2 times a season |
| Fleece jackets and sweatshirts | 6 to 7 wears |
| Hats, gloves, and scarves | 3 to 5 times a season |
| Hosiery | After every wear |
| Jackets and blazers | 5 to 6 wears |
| Jeans | 4 to 5 wears |
| Leather and suede jackets | Once a season |
| Leggings and yoga pants | 1 to 3 wears |
| Pajamas | 3 to 4 wears |
| Shapewear | 1 to 3 wears |
| Shorts and khakis | 2 to 3 wears |
| Sweaters (Cotton, silk, or cashmere) | 2 wears |
| Sweaters (Wool or synthetic blends) | 5 wears |
| Camisoles and Swimsuits | After every wear |
| T-shirts and tanks | After every wear |
| Tops and Dresses | 1 to 3 wears |
| Formal Dresses | Dry-clean after every wear |
| Wool coats | 1 to 2 times a season |
For household items like linens, bedding, pillowcases, sheets, and towels should be washed at least once a week.
Is doing lots of loads bad for the environment?
While doing an overabundance of loads per week isn’t very efficient, the main environmental issue comes from unnecessary water usage. This concern comes from repetitively washing a small load of items and not changing your washer settings accordingly. Washing a small load on a larger cycle creates further water waste that is very easily avoidable. By changing your settings when need be to accommodate the load it will save water usage and have a better impact on our environment.
How to keep your laundry room efficient
To keep your laundry room efficient and organized, the following two basic tips are a great place to start:
- Keep the laundry room organized by using baskets or bins to separate dirty clothes from clean ones. This way you won’t have to spend time sorting through piles of clothing and can focus on what needs to be done next.
- Reusable glass containers and bottles that can be refilled in bulk are a great idea. Not only will they leave your laundry room clean and in order. It will also minimize your use of plastic and have a lasting and positive effect on our environment.
Looking for more ways to help reduce your waste and impact on the environment? Check out our other resources such as holding a party without disposable plates. Ready for a spring clean? Make sure you hire a skip bin to help with a big clean out!
