Is it possible to wash only one item in the washing machine?

Is it possible to wash only one item in the washing machine? Everyone knows that you should not overload your washing machine. If you fill the drum “all the way”, the laundry will not become clean, and the engine, working under increased load, will fail faster. Is it permissible to wash only one item in the washing machine, for example a shirt or T-shirt? Let's figure out whether this is harmful to the equipment or completely safe.

Is this dangerous for technology?

Typically, manufacturers specify only the maximum permissible load weight for each washing machine model. The minimum threshold appears very rarely in the instructions. Therefore, first it is advisable to study the user manual.

The service life of a washing machine directly depends on the intensity of its use. If you wash one T-shirt every day, you are more likely to experience equipment failure earlier. The more often you run the cycle, the faster any element of the machine will fail.

In addition to the accelerated wear of components, there are a couple of arguments against washing just one thing in a machine:

increased consumption of water and light, and, as a result, an increase in the amount in receipts for housing and communal services. It’s better to “save” dirty clothes for 2-3 days and then wash a whole batch, than to “twist” one shirt every day;
excessive consumption of detergents: powder and conditioner-rinse aid.

underloading will cause vibration

It's another matter when you need to refresh a silk or woolen item. Delicate fabrics should be washed separately from synthetics or cotton. In this case, “scrolling” only one dress or sweater will be completely justified.

The conclusion is simple: you can wash one item at a time in a machine, but you should not abuse it.

If you urgently need a certain T-shirt, it is recommended to refresh it manually so as not to “disturb” the machine again. Then the equipment will last much longer.

Follow the advice of experts

After purchasing a washing machine, be sure to read the instructions for it. The optimal frequency of switching on the equipment is indicated there. The figure may vary for different models, but on average it is 3-4 times a week. If necessary, the machine will withstand daily startup, but this may shorten its maintenance-free service life.

Experts recommend using only high-quality detergents. Cheap powders negatively affect the condition of the “internals” of the washing machine and do not soften hard tap water, which can lead to the formation of scale. It is better to purchase modern gels and tablets for washing. They will not clog the device, as they completely dissolve and are washed out of the system.

The amount of laundry placed in the washing machine should not exceed the amount specified in the instructions. Otherwise, the load on the main components of the machine will be too great, which can lead to rapid wear of the equipment. An overly clogged washing machine may overheat during operation, and this is a fire hazard. In addition, clothes in cramped spaces are poorly washed and rinsed worse.

The instructions for the washing machine provide a table of the maximum permissible load weight for different types of fabrics. So, if you can put, for example, 6 kg of cotton items, then the limit for woolen items will be less, approximately 1.5-2 kg.

A few more seemingly banal, but important recommendations for using the washing machine:

do not forget to immediately remove washed items from the drum after the end of the cycle;
When washing shoes, be sure to use special covers, which can be purchased at hardware stores;
remember that you need to wipe the surface of the drum, the rubber cuff after each use of the equipment, rinse the powder receptacle, leave the hatch door open to ventilate the machine;
Follow the dosage of the powder or gel, do not use too foaming products.

An interesting life hack is to place not an ordinary basket for dirty clothes near the washing machine, but a whole chest of drawers, and label the sections, for example: “Shirts”, “White underwear”, “Coloured”, “Socks”. This will make it easier to monitor whether a batch has accumulated for bookmarking. It also saves a lot of time on sorting clothes.

You need to take care of your machine and try not to wash one T-shirt every day. Too frequent use is not good for the technology. But in case of urgent need, it is still allowed to wash a single item.