# What happens when you overload a washer or dryer **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 30, 2004, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-overload-a-washer-or-dryer/226696 "2004-01-30T03:23:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-overload-a-washer-or-dryer/226696/1 "2004-01-30T03:23:09Z")
It says ‘do not overload’ on the door, but i dont know what constitutes overloading or what the consequences of overloading are. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-overload-a-washer-or-dryer/226696/2 "2004-01-30T03:27:44Z")
[ul][li]It will shut off[/li][li]It will blow a fuse (kick a breaker [sup]If you please[/sup])[/li][li]Eventually you will wear the damn thing out.[/ul][/li] **YMMV** ---
**Author:** ![percypercy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8baadc/32.png) [@percypercy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/percypercy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-overload-a-washer-or-dryer/226696/3 "2004-01-30T03:30:42Z")
> [@Wesley Clark](#): > > It says ‘do not overload’ on the door, but i dont know what constitutes overloading or what the consequences of overloading are. Since I’ve been accused of constantly overloading the washer and dryer, I feel almost over-qualified to answer this question. If you overload the washer, the soap may not dissolve properly, and even if it does the clothes certainly won’t get as clean as they would if you had properly loaded the washer because the clothes won’t be able to agitate properly. If you overload the dryer, it will just take a really, really long time to dry. And here’s a link: (click on tips on washing and tips on drying) Obviously I can’t tell you what the limits of the washer and dryer are, just that I always go past them. [http://www.geocities.com/garmentshop/laun.htm#washing](http://www.geocities.com/garmentshop/laun.htm#washing) ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Train\_Song](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Black\_Train\_Song](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Train_Song)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-overload-a-washer-or-dryer/226696/4 "2004-01-30T03:46:28Z")
Another good reason is so that you don’t burn out the motor. My washer has a rubber clutch-like mechanism that basically melts if the motor is being too overworked. (They’re about ten bucks and I’ve already replaced two in about five years). At first I was upset to have to replace this part so often until i realized that it was an intentional “crumple zone” so to speak. ---
**Author:** ![aeropl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f05b48/32.png) [@aeropl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aeropl)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-overload-a-washer-or-dryer/226696/5 "2004-01-30T03:55:19Z")
What IS overloaded for most washers? My washer doesn’t have a manual, so I pretty much guess. I usually just pile the clothes loosley until they go above the tank. When the water fills up the air pockets most go away and it’s only about half full. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-overload-a-washer-or-dryer/226696/6 "2004-01-30T04:30:02Z")
I wore out two washing machines in 6 years through washing diapers. Finally the washing machine repairman gave me a clue: “Wet diapers are heavy. Don’t put so many in.” Still have Washer #3. So, overloading a washer will definitely cause it to wear out faster. ---
**Author:** ![percypercy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8baadc/32.png) [@percypercy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/percypercy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-overload-a-washer-or-dryer/226696/7 "2004-01-30T05:25:10Z")
so apparently while I’m overloading my washer, I’m not just going overboard at it. This one’s about ten years old. It’s survived a house fire. It doesn’t function on the heavy load function though. Put it on that and smoke comes out and the belt breaks. Times two. So no more heavy load for me. -Lil