How many liters of water does a washing machine use?

Older washing machines use 151.4 to 170.3 liters of water per load, and high-efficiency washing machines use 53 to 94.6 liters of water per load. Exact figures vary because washing machines come in different sizes and capacities. Water factor ratings are used to compare machines.

A water factor rating describes the amount of water a washing machine uses to wash a cubic foot of laundry. An older machine has a WF of 10 or higher and consumes 45.4 cubic meters or 12,000 gallons of water annually. A high-efficiency machine has a WF of 8. Upgrading to a high-efficiency washing machine can reduce a family's water use by up to 22.7 cubic meters or 6,000 gallons per year.