How to Do a Small Load of Laundry Without Issues
I’m a big fan of simple solutions, because life is complicated enough as it is! But what I like even more are the rare occasions when you uncover a simple solution that solves multiple problems.
And that’s exactly what I have to share with you in today’s post! I was experiencing two different problems when washing small loads of laundry in my HE washing machine. Then recently, I found a simple solution that fixed both at once!
And for more useful laundry solutions, be sure to check out my e-book How To Wash Everything! You can find it in my shop, or download it for free if you’re an OGT Plus member!
2 Common Problems with Washing Small Loads of Laundry
Like I said, I was frequently encountering two different problems when attempting to wash small loads of laundry in my HE washing machine.
The first issue was that my small loads weren’t getting rinsed well enough, usually when the items were particularly dirty. Which rather defeats the purpose of washing dirty items separately, don’t you think? ;-)
Related: 10 Universal Laundry Problems and How to Overcome Them
The second issue was that my clothes would come out soaking wet, because the washer would sense an uneven load and stop the spin cycle before it had been completed. Ultimately, both of these issues made it plain to me that HE washers (or at least my own) just don’t handle small loads of laundry very effectively!
But luckily, I recently came across a simple solution to both of these problems! It’s a simple way to “trick” your HE washer into washing and spinning small loads much more effectively.
Related: How to Clean a Washing Machine the Right Way
How Adding Old Towels to Small Loads Solves Both Problems
The solution is to add one or two old towels to your washer whenever you’re doing a small load. The added bulk and weight from the towels will tell your washer to use more water, ensuring that they come out properly rinsed.
The additional bulk from the towels also helps distribute the weight more evenly across the drum. A balanced drum spins more easily, which corrects the spin cycle issue.
Why Old Towels?
Using old bath towels is an ideal way to add bulk to small loads for a few different reasons. Having already been through the wash dozens of times, old towels won’t bleed color or produce lint like newer fabrics can.
Related: 7 Easy Ways to Ruin Your Good Towels
And since bath towels don’t last forever, old towels are usually easy to come by! Your current bath towels will eventually wear out, and once you replace them, you can retire the old ones to the laundry room to serve another useful purpose.
More Ideas You'll Love
If you’ve been frustrated with the way your HE washer handles small loads, I hope you’ll give this simple fix a try! :-)
The “Problem Solved!” Series
- To refresh your memory of other solutions or check out other posts in this series you might have missed, check out my complete archive of posts from the “Problem Solved!” series!
- Click here to explore the “Problem Solved!” series archive.
Do you have a favorite simple fix for laundry-related problems?
NEW! Can you guess the 5-letter word related to today’s post?
More Ideas You'll Love
I struggled with this issue too! It took me two years to figure out that my HE washer preferred a FULL load rather than a partial or small load. I also figured out that my washer has a setting for “deep rinse” which means that the tub fills with enough water to cover the clothes instead of just getting by with a water-saving rinse. So, I do fewer loads and the clothes come out cleaner. I also don’t use as much laundry detergent with my towels and I run the washer’s “clean” cycle whenever I remember. Seems to have helped. I do miss the old machines that filled up with water though!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We just bought a new home and inherited the W/D that was already there. It looks like your HE tasing machine. What does HE mean?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I meant ‘washing,’ not ‘tasing.’
Please log in or create a free account to comment.High efficiency
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We don’t have an HE washer at our house. When my darks start having the white residue is when it’s time to do a deep cleaning of the washer. If you live in area with hard water – like where I live in the Midwest I usually wind up doing this about every 3 months. It really helps. Jillee has posted about this before.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Our washing machine we use is a Kenmore top loader. It’s definitely not a HE one. We like it because you can adjust the water level for the size of the load.My dad several years ago started subscribing to Consumer Reports. They rate different brands which has been very helpful when shopping for major appliances.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’d love to know how to eliminate the white residue on dark clothing. I also have tried washing inside out – it’s better but still there!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I had the same problem. Still do on one type of black pant fabric but I found that putting the washer on the add fabric softener setting adds more water to rinse cycle. I found out this info on the GE website for my model of washer. Found out it’s a common problem. Have to love progress. Next washer will have a manual water control feature.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When I want to do a smaller size load, invariably when I take them out of the washer, it appears that some garments never fully get wet. There appear to be dry spots on the garments. Ugh! Will the old towel suggestion resolve this issue? Right now I select the bedding cycle, because it always fills the tub with water, and then I soak the load before beginning the wash cycle. This seems like such a waste, and it takes a full two hours to get one load of laundry completed.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use these suggestions often and they are helpful, however I have another HE issue that I could really use some help with: many of my darkest items come out of the wash with a white residue, I suspect it is detergent that has not completely rinsed out. I have tried so many things with limited success – vinegar, very little detergent…my washer does not have an option to add more water, just an added rinse. Does anyone have the same issue? How have you handled this? Mine is a top load HE model. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have the same problem as Mary. I have to hand rinse the black items and do a special spin, so I could use some help also.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have had the same issue. I always select deep wash and deep rinse for all my loads. It seems to help. Also don’t put dark items deeper than ⅓ of the tub when washing. Sure miss my front load washer, never had these issues with it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you – I have not tried that yet, but will. I am so discouraged with these new models, they are designed to save water, but the way we are going to need to use them to get the results we need will use as much water as older units. And they take so much longer to run through a cycle! At least mine does.
I hate my HE upright washer, can’t wait till it has a problem that requires repairs. It will be replaced with the old agitator type machine. Don’t we love what manufacturers do to us? More costly item with less desirable outcome. I wash all my clothes on the cycle that puts in the most water. I think it is heavy duty on my machine. This has resolved my white streak problem, which is essentially just not enough water to rinse the soap out of the items in the washer. You know that residue is still on all your lighter colored clothing. Join the discussion…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Read my solution above. Works every time!
It’s not just manufacturers. It’s new government regulations that just want everyone to use low-flow appliances and toilets. The low-flow toilets don’t always flush everything, and you have to flush twice. It defeats the purpose.
These HE washers are just pulsators trying to move water gently through clothing. I want a more aggressive cleaning where the clothes are being rubbed together releasing dirt particles from the fabric. I also was disappointed that I couldn’t fill my tub with water adding the soap, softeners and what not then placing in my clothes. The pods never seemed to dissolve I only use scent pods. I use liquid laundry detergent another thing was according to manufacturer I was to use Downey ball for fabric softener. I’ve never been a fan of the Downey ball.
What I finally did was take the dumb lock off my washer so I could monitor what was taking place inside the washer. NOTHING. that’s what was going on. NOTHING!!! It vibrates your clothes clean, which is I guess ok, if you literally did nothing in your clothes , went nowhere and the clothes had no environmental smells, dust etc Now if there isn’t enough water I lift up the clothes and the machine will add more water. The pulsating nonsense that is better for the fabric, won’t wear out clothing is most ridiculous. I’ve never had my clothes wear out too quickly due to the agitator in washing machines or from over washing. Really!!!! Clothes go out of style before they wear out from washing. SO, for now, I take the time to go stir up the laundry during wash cycle & longer time for clothes that are truly dirty. Feel like I’m back to using a washboard.
I worked at Lowe’s and knew by talking with customers that I didn’t want a machine without an agitator. Many reason why… don’t clean clothes well, spin cycle can knit up items, too many mechanical parts so break down sooner than later, wash times are extended. So use less water, but increase energy bill.
When my old washer finally died I searched for a new machine with agitator with large size tub. There weren’t any! Agitators only came in washers with smaller tubs. When you think about it is even more stupid. People with smaller tubs means less people in family which probably means no children which means less dirty clothes …. so why have agitator. Since that time some companies have started bringing back the agitator, thank goodness.
I should’ve never purchased a new washer with the information I already had been given by people who owned them; however, I wanted something new. Huge mistake!!! I’ve been miserable when it comes to being satisfied with my HE washer. My washer is a few years old and needs parts replaced due to the way the new machines work. My last washer lasted 20 years. If nothing else companies should offer the option of having a pulse plate or agitator.
I also had the same problem with the white residue. What I did was let the washer fill how ever much it wanted to, but as it was filling up, I also had a plastic tub on the side which I filled with water and detergent (man at store said residue was because my detergent was not getting dissolved all the way), and swooshed it around to dissolve the detergent. Then when the washer was done filling up and starting to “work,” I would stop the washer (top loader,BTW), and poured the extra water+ detergent in (probably 1 gallon or more water), closed the lid and let it do it’s thing. So far, haven’t had a problem again with residue and clothes seem to washed more thoroughly. Good luck! Never buying an HE washer again!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I had this problem constantly when pre-washing fabric for quilting. I now have an old pillow that stays by the washer, and it goes through the washer and dryer with the fabric. Makes the spin cycle work every time.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Same for a dryer. If you only have one or two items to dry they will stay against the wall of dryer and not fall around and fluff and dry completely. By adding a towel or two this give enough wait to keep the items from sticking to the wall of the dryer while turning.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Using wool dryer balls (I use 6 per load) also helps. You can buy them on Amazon.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I had no idea this was a problem anyone else had! I thought the machine was defective. Thank for the solution.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.*thanks*
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These HE washers are just pulsators trying to move water gently through clothing. I want a more aggressive cleaning where the clothes are being rubbed together releasing dirt particles from the fabric. I also was disappointed that I couldn’t fill my tub with water adding the soap, softeners and what not then placing in my clothes. The pods never seemed to dissolve I only use scent pods. I use liquid laundry detergent another thing was according to manufacturer I was to use Downey ball for fabric softener. I’ve never been a fan of the Downey ball.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What I finally did was take the dumb lock off my washer so I could monitor what was taking place inside the washer. NOTHING. that’s what was going on. NOTHING!!! It vibrates your clothes clean, which is I guess ok, if you literally did nothing in your clothes , went nowhere and the clothes had no environmental smells, dust etc Now if there isn’t enough water I lift up the clothes and the machine will add more water. The pulsating nonsense that is better for the fabric, won’t wear out clothing is most ridiculous. I’ve never had my clothes wear out too quickly due to the agitator in washing machines or from over washing. Really!!!! Clothes go out of style before they wear out from washing. SO, for now, I take the time to go stir up the laundry during wash cycle & longer time for clothes that are truly dirty. Feel like I’m back to using a washboard.
I worked at Lowe’s and knew by talking with customers that I didn’t want a machine without an agitator. Many reason why… don’t clean clothes well, spin cycle can knit up items, too many mechanical parts so break down sooner than later, wash times are extended. So use less water, but increase energy bill.
When my old washer finally died I searched for a new machine with agitator with large size tub. There weren’t any! Agitators only came in washers with smaller tubs. When you think about it is even more stupid. People with smaller tubs means less people in family which probably means no children which means less dirty clothes …. so why have agitator. Since that time some companies have started bringing back the agitator, thank goodness.
I should’ve never purchased a new washer with the information I already had been given by people who owned them; however, I wanted something new. Huge mistake!!! I’ve been miserable when it comes to being satisfied with my HE washer. My washer is a few years old and needs parts replaced due to the way the new machines work. My last washer lasted 20 years. If nothing else companies should offer the option of having a pulse plate or agitator.
Ha, this is a great idea, especially for me! I bought a bunch of old white towels of various sizes just for cleaning up messes on the floor and for baths for our dogs. They are about $1.00 each at a thrift store. Everyone here knows if they need a big towel in a hurry, they grab the “white” towels in the closet. Saves the pretty towels for the family. So now I will add them as needed to a small laundry load.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have the same problem with my top load 6 year old GE washer, the clothes come out wet no matter the size of the load. So that means I have to “adjust the dial and the size of the load to trick the washer into thinking it has to drain more but at the same time it does waste electricity. Never had this problem with my 18 year old Whirlpool washer.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.