When it comes to doing laundry, there’s one question on everyone’s mind: how long does a load of laundry take? Do you have a dedicated day for laundry? Or do you operate on more of an “as-needed” basis? If it’s the latter and you’re in a pinch, you might be wondering how much time washing one item of clothes actually takes.
Depending on the size and amount of laundry, a load of laundry can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over 2 hours. In this blog post, we’ll outline the different factors that affect how long does a load of laundry take to wash and dry, as well as some tips for speeding up the process. So whether you’re an experienced laundress or just starting out, read on for all the info you need to get your clothes clean in no time!
To estimate how long your load of laundry will take, you need to account for various factors. Keep reading to learn more about how-to instruction as well as some side information you probably need.
Table of Contents
In One Load of Laundry, How Much do We Have?
Before how long does 1 load of laundry take, let’s decode the term “load”. It is relative when doing laundry; a “full load” for one person might not be for another. This all comes down to washing machine capacity. Smaller washers, like those often found in apartments, have low capacities and can only fit 6 pounds of clothes – that’s it!
- A medium-capacity washing machine can usually take on 7-8 pounds without any problems.
- In contrast, high-capacity top loading machines are designed to handle 12-15 pounds per wash (more if you’re brave),
- While frontloading machines boast an even higher maximum weight capacity of 18 pounds!
To get an estimate of how many clothing items one pound is to solve how long it takes to do a load of laundry, you can weigh yourself holding a full laundry basket. The weight on the scale will give you a general idea ( subtracting the weight of the laundry/basket).
You can easily estimate how long does a load of laundry take by totaling up the number of items you have. For example, 10 pounds of laundry is about:
- Underwear: 7
- Pairs of socks: 7
- T-shirts: 5
- Long-sleeve shirts: 2
- Sweatshirt: 1
- Pairs or 4 shorts: 2
- Set of sheets: 1
- Towel: 1
So, How Long does a Load of Laundry Take?
The length of time it takes to do a load of laundry depends on the different processes involved and how long each task takes. To understand this fully, you need break down each individual thing you have to do for your load.
#1: Sorting clothes
If you need to separate your laundry into piles before washing, it will take much longer than if you already have a sorted load. It takes an average of 30 minutes to gather and sort clothing from all over the house, whereas with a sorted load, there is no prep time needed.
#2: Washing time
To answer the question how long does a load of laundry take, it depends on your machine and the of cycle: a load clothes can anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours. If you have selected a quick cycle on a washing machine, it may be as short as 15 minutes. Between an hour to hour and ten minutes is length for laundry on a regular cycle. Though if you are using the heavy-duty setting could take longer than two centuries celestial bodies rotate around one another!
#3: Drying clothes
The average drying time is between 30 and 45 minutes, but some loads might take as little as 15 minutes while others could take an hour or more. It all depends on the fabrics in the load and how many items you are trying to dry simultaneously.
#4: Folding clothes
After talking how long does a load of laundry take, folding time is thing need considering. The amount of time it takes to fold and put away a load of laundry varies depending on the size of the load, but typically falls somewhere between 15 and 30 minutes. This can be considered as the final phrase putting an ending for how long it takes to do a load of laundry.
Wash Times And Cycle Type can Affect Washing Time
The time it takes to finish your laundry largely depends on the cycle you select. The following table from Whirlpool.com presents an overview of the typical cycle lengths for their most popular washing options.
- If you want the best results and to save time, you should probably group the dirty laundry together and use the setting for heavy soil. To spruce up clothes that are only slightly dirty, there is no need to use the heavy-soil setting on the washing machine.
| Cycle | Duration Range in Minutes |
| Normal | 50 to 60 |
| Quick Wash | 15 to 40 |
| Heavy Duty | 60 to 135 |
| Delicate | 45 to 80 |
Not Every Washing Machine is the Same
- How long it takes to do a load of laundry using a given type of washer matters. To demonstrate this, Consumer Reports tested three types of washers by putting each through a Normal-wash/Heavy-soil cycle.
- The table below summarizes the results of a study done on different types of washing machines. As you can see, agitator top loaders are typically the fastest, while front-loading washers tend to take the longest to finish a cycle.
- According to Consumer Reports, agitator top loaders may save time, although tough stains might be more difficult to remove. High-efficiency top loading cleaners usually do a good job cleansing clothing; however, they can also damage delicate fabrics. The front loader is typically the slowest type of washing machine; on the upside, it does an excellent job rinsing the laundry, which in turn shortens drying time.
| Washer Type | Time in Minutes |
| Agitator Top Loader | 35 to 80 |
| High-Efficiency Top Loader (Without Agitator) | 60 to 85 |
| Front-Loading Washer | 70 to 120 |
How to Spend Less Time Doing Laundry in Two Steps?
The video below provides some extreme perspective that may make you see things differently when it comes to how long does 1 load of laundry take. A mother of 13 kids shares two creative laundry hacks that teach us a lesson about time management. Rather than sitting around and waiting for the washer and dryer to do their job, she uses this time as an opportunity for her family to be productive and do other things.
Given that her husband is CEO of a company and oversees the production engineering department, he often has to develop solutions for issues within production.
The most time-consuming aspects of laundry are sorting and folding the clothes. In this video, you’ll see how we found creative solutions to speed up the process so that it doesn’t take all day.
A video for you to check out how long does 1 load of laundry take and how to save time up to 82%, also a wrap up for how long does a load of laundry take:
FAQs
1-Is 30 minutes an adequate amount of time to wash clothes?
The duration of your wash cycle depends on your washing machine settings. The majority of washers take between 32 and 38 minutes to clean clothes; however, some offer an extra-long wash and/or rinse cycle. On the other hand, some washers are more efficient and provide the option to finish a load in under 30 minutes.
2-How much laundry constitutes one load?
A small load of laundry is when the drum is approximately 1/3 full, a medium load is when it’s 1/2 full, and a large load means the drum is 3/4 full.
(Check out the 1st H2 again to see our estimation for you)
3-How long is a typical washing machine cycle?
Depending on the load size and selected cycles or options, a regular wash cycle usually requires 50 minutes to one hour. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand how to select an appropriate washer cycle.
(You can check out the wash times table in the 3rd H2)
4-Why is my washer’s cycle length set to 2 hours?
One of the popular questions of the series how long does a load of laundry take! A washer that doesn’t finish its cycle in the expected amount of time may have a load sense system that isn’t working properly. The control panel could also be to blame, or there might be an issue with the water inlet valve.
Conclusion
All-about-chores tips of how long does a load of laundry take is the latest article from LoveCleaning.net. We’re delighted to be a side chick of you in every household chore and ease the nightmare of housework. Thank you for choosing us and see you again at other articles about cleaning. If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to comment below or contact us. Visit lovecleaning.net to find out more cleaning tips and tricks. Thanks for reading!
