Short answer: use a 15–20 lb washer for one or two regular home loads, a 30–40 lb washer for a family's week of clothes or a queen/king comforter, and an 80–125 lb washer for several comforters or a whole household's laundry in one cycle. Polanco Laundry in Arleta has all six sizes — 15, 20, 30, 40, 80, and 125 lb — and every one is coinless.
Picking the right machine saves money and time. Too small and you'll run two cycles (or overstuff one and get poor results). Too big and you're paying for space you don't need. Here's how to choose.
Washer Size Guide at a Glance
A typical home washer holds roughly 10 lb of laundry per load. Use that as your yardstick:
| Washer | About how many home loads | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 15 lb | ~1–1.5 | One person's week of clothes, a set of sheets and a few towels, delicates |
| 20 lb | ~2 | A couple's mixed load, kids' clothes, a twin or full comforter |
| 30 lb | ~3 | A queen comforter, a family's week of towels, work uniforms |
| 40 lb | ~4 | A king comforter, a full family load of jeans and towels |
| 80 lb | ~8 | Two comforters at once, a week of laundry for a large family, machine-washable rugs |
| 125 lb | up to ~12 | Everything at once — multiple bedding sets, a household's backlog, team uniforms |
These are approximate. Bulky items like comforters take up far more space than their weight suggests, so size up when in doubt.
How to Tell If You've Picked the Right Size
- Leave room to tumble. Clothes need space to move through the water. Fill the drum about three-quarters full — if you have to push items down to close the door, go one size up.
- Bulky items need extra space. A comforter that's cramped won't rinse fully and can come out with soap left inside. See our guide to washing a comforter at the laundromat.
- Combine loads when you can. Two half-full small washers often cost more than one properly filled bigger washer — and you only wait for one cycle.
- Separate by color and fabric first. Big machines are great, but whites and darks still belong in different loads.
Why Bigger Washers Save Time
At home, a family's weekly laundry can mean four or five back-to-back cycles. In our 80 lb or 125 lb washers, that same pile can go in at once. You wait for one wash cycle instead of several, then move everything to the dryers together. Most families are in and out much faster than they would be at home.
Our machines are coinless — you pay with a reloadable laundry card, so there's no hunting for quarters no matter which size you choose. Learn more in why coinless laundromats are better.
Save More on Any Size
- Free Dry Tuesdays & Wednesdays: Wash on a Tuesday or Wednesday and drying is free.
- $5 back for every $100 spent on washers, automatically.
- Card bonuses: load $40 and get $44, or load $100 and get $115.
See all current deals on our promotions page, or skip the machines entirely with drop-off wash & fold from $1.75/lb.
Frequently Asked Questions
What washer sizes does Polanco Laundry have?
Polanco Laundry in Arleta has six coinless washer sizes: 15 lb, 20 lb, 30 lb, 40 lb, 80 lb, and 125 lb.
What size washer do I need for a king comforter?
A 40 lb washer is a good fit for most king comforters. For thick or down-filled king comforters, or to wash two at once, use an 80 lb washer.
How many home loads fit in a 125 lb washer?
Our 125 lb washer handles up to about 12 regular home loads in a single cycle.
Is it cheaper to use one big washer or several small ones?
When you have a lot of laundry, one large washer usually means fewer cycles and less waiting than several small ones. Compare the price shown on each machine for your load.
Visit Polanco Laundry
Polanco Laundry is at 14429 Van Nuys Blvd, Arleta, CA 91331, open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM. We serve families across the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles — including Pacoima, Sun Valley, and Panorama City — with washers from 15 lb to 125 lb, free parking, free Wi-Fi, and a kids zone.
Not sure which machine to use? Call or text us at (818) 267-8552.
Find the Right Washer Today
Six coinless washer sizes, 15 lb to 125 lb. 14429 Van Nuys Blvd, Arleta, CA 91331.
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