Washing machine capacity refers to dry laundry weight

The weight capacity indicated on washing machines, such as 7kg or 10kg, refers to the weight of dry laundry rather than wet laundry. Manufacturers use dry weight as a standard because it is a practical metric for consumers to estimate loads before washing.

While users may worry that water absorption will increase the weight of the clothes two to three times and overload the machine, engineers design the appliance to handle this. The dry weight specification serves as a technical basis for calculating motor power, suspension systems, shock absorbers, and drum durability, ensuring the machine can support both the dry fabric and the maximum water weight absorbed during a cycle.