If you have lost your washing machine manual and you need to know the capacity of your washer tub, it is simple to calculate. This is also helpful if you want to replace an older machine with one with the same washing capacity. Determining your washer’s capacity will also help you know how many clothes it should hold in every load to get good results. Below are some guidelines to help, including how to calculate the washer tub size, the weight of your dirty laundry, and more.
The Formula to Calculate Tub Capacity of a Washer
Use this equation to calculate the volume or holding capacity of the washing machine tub; assuming all measurements are in feet. Equation: Volume (cu. ft.) = pi × r × r × D For the equation, follow this key:
pi = ~3.14r = radius (feet); remember r = diameter divided by twoD = depth (feet); in classic geometrical terms the height of the cylinderNote: The units result in (cu. ft.). ft × ft × ft = cubic feet.
How to Calculate the Tub Volume or Capacity of a Washer
Load Capacity by Washer Size
If you are searching for a new washer, different styles are sold with the capacity listed in cubic feet. Now that you know the size of your washer drum, you can figure out how much laundry it will hold in each load. Remember, while it is economical in both utility costs and time management to do full loads, you should never cram clothes and overstuff a washer just because you can. Always check your manual to see specifics for your model washer, but here is a washing machine load size chart with average load capacities for various size washers.
How Much Does Laundry Weigh?
When automatic washers became commonplace in homes in the 1950s and 1960s, the washer manufacturers began using the term “load of laundry.” At that time, the capacity of most washers averaged 8 pounds of clothes or linens. As washers became larger so did the pound limits of “a load.” The introduction of high-efficiency washers that contain no center agitator increased the load capacity. Front-loading high-efficiency washers rely on a tumbling action to move clothes through the cleaning solution and top-loading high-efficiency washers use a bottom paddle agitator leaving more space for dirty clothes. To give you an idea of how much dirty laundry weighs, here are some guidelines: Now you’re ready to load the washer and select the appropriate water temperature and cycle. If you have several members of the household doing laundry, take some photos of a full load or post the appropriate weights on a bulletin board. It might just give you cleaner clothes and help your washer last longer.
