I find you get much more accurate estimates when you don't overstuff the machine. You're supposed to keep it 60-70% full to allow for proper agitation. Lots of people top it off.

[–] Cinner@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

If you read the instructions, on mine anyway, it says a full load is to the top of the basket without pressing down on any of the clothes. I always lay them around in a circular pattern to even out the level of clothes as I'm loading it. My fiancee used to shove as much as she could in there, and it would get off balance and wobble and shake the house. It took a lot of convincing but she finally believed me after I kept pointing out that's probably why it was happening.

Washing machines (mine anyway) wash by spinning back and forth in water with detergent, so if you stuff it full there's not much room for any clothes to move and they don't get very clean and will come out smelling like laundry detergent.

[–] Landless2029@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

Sounds like you have top load and not front load.

I'm referring to front load machines.

Ref: https://www.wash.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/front-load-max-fill-level.gif

https://www.wash.com/request-help/clothes-not-getting-clean/