What size washing machine do I need?

As a general guide, washing machine capacities tend to fall into these ranges:

These are useful starting points, but your household's washing habits are just as important as the number of people in your home. 

Bedding is one of the main reasons people consider moving up to a larger washing machine. As a general guide:

These are guidelines rather than strict rules. Duvets vary considerably in size, filling and thickness, so always check the care instructions and washing machine manufacturer's guidance before washing one at home. The key consideration is that the duvet needs enough room to move freely in the drum. If you have to force a bulky duvet into the machine, the drum is likely too small for that particular item.

Towels can take up considerably more space than everyday clothing, particularly when they're wet. If you regularly wash several bath towels together, an 8 - 9kg machine can provide useful extra capacity. Larger families or households washing lots of towels at once may benefit from a 9 - 10kg+ machine. Remember that washing capacity is based on dry laundry, not how heavy the load becomes once it's wet.

Not necessarily.

Modern washing machines are designed to adjust water and energy use according to the selected programme and load. However, a larger-capacity machine may not be the best choice if you regularly wash very small loads.

If you consistently have only a small amount of laundry, a smaller machine may be a better match for your washing habits.

If you regularly have full loads, however, a larger machine can help you wash more laundry in each cycle rather than running multiple smaller washes.

When comparing machines, look beyond capacity and check the appliance's energy rating, water consumption and programme information as well.

It can be tempting to pack as much laundry as possible into the drum, but overloading can prevent clothes from moving freely and may affect washing and rinsing performance. 

As a general rule, you should follow the manufacturer's instructions for maximum load sizes and the guidance for individual programmes.

A useful rule of thumb for many everyday washes is to leave enough space at the top of the drum for the laundry to move around freely. Bulky items such as duvets may require significantly more space.

Don't assume that because your washing machine is rated at 9kg, every programme can wash 9kg of laundry.

Some specialist programmes have lower maximum load capacities.

Drum capacity isn't the only measurement you need to consider.

Before buying a washing machine, check:

1. Width
2. Height
3. Depth
4. Door opening space
5. Hose and plumbing access
6. Space required to open the door
7. Clearance around the appliance
8. Whether it can be installed in your chosen location

A washing machine with a large drum may be deeper than a smaller-capacity model, so make sure you measure your available space before choosing.

Also remember to account for skirting boards, cupboards, doors and pipework that could affect how far the appliance can sit into its intended space.

If you're still unsure, ask yourself these five questions:

1. How many people live in your household?

More people generally means more laundry, making a larger capacity worthwhile.

2. How often do you wash?

If you wash small loads every day, you may not need as large a machine as someone who saves their laundry for one or two big weekly washes.

3. What do you wash?

If you mainly wash lightweight clothes, a smaller drum may be enough. If you regularly wash towels, bedding, workwear or bulky items, consider a larger capacity.

4. Do you want to wash your duvet at home?

If so, choose your capacity based on the largest duvet you expect to wash. A 9kg machine is a useful starting point for a double duvet, while larger or particularly bulky duvets may benefit from a 10kg+ machine. Always check the manufacturer's guidance before washing bulky bedding.

5. Will you have enough space for the appliance?

Finally, measure the installation space rather than assuming every washing machine will fit.

In short: choose your washing machine based on your household, your typical laundry load and the largest items you need to wash.