What Size Laundromat Washer Do I Need?
Choosing the right washer size at the laundromat saves money and ensures your clothes get properly clean. Too small and your clothes won't wash well. Too big and you're wasting money. Here's exactly what fits in each machine size.
Quick Rule: Fill the washer drum 3/4 full for optimal cleaning. Your clothes should tumble freely, not be packed tight. When in doubt, choose the next size up.
Quick Size Finder
Complete Washer Size Guide
Small Washer
2.0-2.5 cu ft • 6-8 lbs
What Fits:
- ✓4-6 t-shirts
- ✓2 pairs of jeans
- ✓Small load of delicates
- ✓Baby clothes
Best For:
Singles with small loads, delicates, or quick washes
Avoid:
Towels, bedding, heavy items, jeans
Medium Washer
3.0-3.5 cu ft • 10-12 lbs
What Fits:
- ✓8-10 t-shirts
- ✓3-4 pairs of jeans
- ✓1 week of clothes (1 person)
- ✓Small towels
Best For:
Most individual weekly laundry needs
Avoid:
Comforters, blankets, multiple large towels
Large Washer
4.0-4.5 cu ft • 14-18 lbs
What Fits:
- ✓2 weeks of clothes
- ✓Multiple bath towels
- ✓Twin/full bedding
- ✓Family laundry
Best For:
Couples, small families, or weekly family laundry
Avoid:
King bedding (use extra-large)
Extra Large Washer
5.5-6.5 cu ft • 20-30 lbs
What Fits:
- ✓Queen/King comforters
- ✓Multiple blankets
- ✓Sleeping bags
- ✓Large family loads
Best For:
Bedding, blankets, large family loads, bulky items
Avoid:
Small delicate loads (waste of money)
Mega/Triple Load Washer
7.0+ cu ft • 35-50 lbs
What Fits:
- ✓King comforter + sheets
- ✓Multiple sleeping bags
- ✓Moving loads
- ✓Commercial quantities
Best For:
Oversized bedding, moving, or commercial use
Avoid:
Regular laundry (unless doing 3+ weeks at once)
What Does 10 Pounds of Laundry Look Like?
Here's a visual breakdown of laundry weight to help you estimate:
| Weight | Example Load | Best Machine |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lbs | 3 t-shirts, 2 pants, underwear/socks | Small (2.5 cu ft) |
| 10 lbs | 5 t-shirts, 2 jeans, 2 towels, undergarments | Medium (3.5 cu ft) |
| 15 lbs | Week of clothes + 3-4 towels | Large (4.5 cu ft) |
| 20+ lbs | 2 weeks of clothes OR bedding set | Extra Large (6.0 cu ft) |
Pro Tip: The Arm Test
After loading the washer, you should be able to fit your arm in and move it around freely. If clothes are packed tight, they won't wash or rinse properly. Move some items to another machine.
Washer Sizes for Bedding & Blankets
Comforters & Duvets
- Twin comforter: Large (4.5 cu ft) minimum
- Full/Double comforter: Extra Large (5.5 cu ft)
- Queen comforter: Extra Large (6.0 cu ft)
- King comforter: Mega/Triple Load (7.0+ cu ft)
Blankets & Other Items
- Throw blanket: Medium (3.5 cu ft)
- Fleece blanket: Large (4.5 cu ft)
- Weighted blanket: Extra Large (6.0 cu ft)
- Sleeping bag: Extra Large (6.0 cu ft)
Frequently Asked Questions
What size washer do I need for a week's worth of laundry?
For one person's weekly laundry (about 8-12 lbs), a medium 3.5 cu ft washer works well. For a couple, use a large 4.5 cu ft machine. Families of 4+ should use extra-large 5.5-6.0 cu ft machines.
How many clothes fit in a laundromat washer?
Small washers (2.5 cu ft) hold 6-8 items or about 6 lbs. Medium washers (3.5 cu ft) hold 10-12 items or 10 lbs. Large washers (4.5 cu ft) hold 15-18 items or 15 lbs. Extra-large (6.0 cu ft) hold 20-25 items or 20+ lbs.
What size washer for a king comforter?
A king-size comforter requires at least a 5.0 cu ft washer, but a 6.0 cu ft or larger is recommended for proper cleaning and rinsing. Most laundromats have triple-load or mega-load machines specifically for bedding.
Can I wash a queen comforter in a regular washer?
A queen comforter needs a minimum of 4.0 cu ft capacity. Most regular laundromat washers are too small. Look for large-capacity or double-load machines rated for bedding.
What does 10 pounds of laundry look like?
10 pounds of laundry is approximately: 2 pairs of jeans, 5 t-shirts, 5 pairs of underwear, 5 pairs of socks, 2 towels. This fills a medium 3.5 cu ft washer about 3/4 full.
Is it better to use a bigger washer?
Using a larger washer than needed wastes money but ensures clothes get thoroughly clean. Using a washer that's too small leads to poor cleaning, extra wear on clothes, and may require multiple loads. When in doubt, size up.
How much does each washer size cost?
Small washers (2.5 cu ft): $2.00-$3.00. Medium washers (3.5 cu ft): $2.50-$4.00. Large washers (4.5 cu ft): $3.50-$5.50. Extra-large (6.0+ cu ft): $5.00-$8.00. Larger machines cost more but handle more laundry per dollar.
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