Can You Put One Item in the Washing Machine?

Sometimes you only need one clean thing: a shirt for an interview, a kid’s muddy hoodie, a sweaty uniform. So, can you put just one item in the washing machine? The short answer is yes—many machines can handle it—but there are smart ways to do it that protect your washer, your clothes, and your utility bill. This guide explains when it’s fine, when it’s not, and how to do it right, even if you’re a beginner.

The Short Answer

The Quick Takeaway

You can wash a single item in the washing machine, but it’s not always ideal. One item can cause balance issues during the spin cycle and may waste water and energy. If you must, choose the right settings, add a “helper” item to balance when possible, and use less detergent. Large single items like blankets or jackets are usually fine. Small, light items are better paired with a few similar pieces or hand washed.

How Washing Machines Handle Balance

Front-Loaders vs. Top-Loaders

All washing machines need a balanced load to spin smoothly. Front-loaders tumble clothes and then spin at high speed. They often detect imbalance and adjust, but a single small item can clump and make the drum thump. Top-loaders, especially older models with agitators, are more sensitive to off-balance loads. With just one piece, the tub can slam or the machine may stop and try to rebalance.

Newer high-efficiency models are smarter, but physics still applies: a single uneven mass can cause shaking, noisy spins, or incomplete cycles. Big, bulky single items distribute weight better than a single T-shirt or pair of leggings.

Signs of Imbalance and What to Do

If your washer is walking, banging, or showing an error during spin, pause the cycle. Open the door or lid, reposition the item, and restart. If it keeps happening, add a similar-weight item (like a towel) to even things out. For top-loaders, place the item around the agitator evenly rather than crumpled in one spot.

When Washing One Item Is Okay

Large, Bulky Items

Single bulky items—like a winter jacket, duvet cover (not a down insert), or thick blanket—often wash well alone. Their size helps distribute weight during spin. Always check the care label and ensure your machine’s capacity is enough for the item to move freely.

Urgent Hygiene or Stain Situations

If someone is sick, there’s a biohazard spill, or an item is heavily soiled, it’s reasonable to wash it alone. Choose the appropriate temperature and a sanitized or heavy-duty cycle if the fabric allows. Safety and cleanliness can outweigh efficiency in these cases.

Small-Load Settings on Efficient Machines

Some modern washers have a small-load or “speed wash” option that reduces water and energy for tiny loads. If your machine has one, using it for a single item is less wasteful. Still, consider adding a small towel to help balance.

When It’s Not Ideal

Very Small, Lightweight Garments

One T-shirt, a single pair of underwear, or a lone sports bra can cause balance issues and may not clean well when alone. These items tend to bunch up and can trap detergent. Hand washing or waiting to combine with a few similar pieces is better.

Items That Shed Color or Lint

Single dark jeans or a new red shirt can bleed dye, which is safer alone—but they also need enough water movement to rinse properly. If you wash a linty item like a towel alone, it may leave residue inside the drum. If you do it, run an extra rinse after or wipe the drum.

Using Pods with a Tiny Load

Laundry pods are dosed for regular loads. Using a full pod with one small item can cause over-sudsing and residue. If you must wash one item, use liquid detergent and measure a small amount, or choose a “half pod” product if available. Powder can also be hard to dissolve in tiny loads.

Best Practices If You Must Wash One Item

Add a Helper Item to Balance

To reduce noise and protect your machine, add one or two items of similar weight and fabric type, like a towel with a hoodie or a pillowcase with a shirt. Avoid mixing lint-heavy towels with dark, lint-attracting clothes. The goal is balance, not a full load.

Choose the Right Cycle and Spin Speed

Use a gentle or normal cycle for most clothes. For heavy items like jackets or blankets, use bulky/bedding if your machine has it. Reduce spin speed if the machine shakes; a slower spin is quieter and less risky. If the item needs faster drying, try a short second spin after rearranging.

Use Less Detergent

Too much detergent leaves residue and can cause odors. Use 1/4 to 1/2 the normal amount for a single item, depending on soil level. High-efficiency (HE) machines need HE detergent. When in doubt, under-dose and add an extra rinse if necessary.

Protect Delicate or Heavy Pieces

Place delicate items in a mesh laundry bag to prevent stretching or snagging. For heavy items with zippers or hardware, close closures and consider a bag to reduce wear on the drum and glass door. Remove strings or tie them to avoid tangling.

Temperature and Soil Level Choices

Cold water is safest for most fabrics and colors. Warm helps with body oils and light stains. Hot is best for white cottons, towels, and sanitizing—only if the label allows. If the item is barely dirty, choose low soil level to shorten the cycle and use less water.

Alternatives to Running a Full Wash

Spot Cleaning and Rinse-Spin

For a small stain or odor, try spot treating with a little detergent or stain remover and a damp cloth. Air dry and re-wear. If the item just smells sweaty, use a short rinse and spin to refresh without a full wash. Some machines offer a “refresh” or “rinse only” option.

Hand Washing Basics

Fill a sink or basin with cool or warm water. Add a small squeeze of liquid detergent. Soak the item, gently agitate, then rinse until water runs clear. Press out water without wringing, then lay flat or hang to dry. This works well for bras, delicate tops, and very small items.

Delay and Laundry Planning

If it’s not urgent, wait to combine similar colors and fabrics. Create a small bin for “next wash” items. Use a delay start or schedule to run a load when you’ve gathered a few more garments. Planning saves money and extends the life of both clothes and the machine.

Special Item Tips

Jeans or a Single Hoodie

Turn inside out, zip or tie drawstrings, and use cold or warm water. Add a towel to balance. Use medium spin to reduce twisting and creases. Air dry or tumble low to prevent shrinkage and preserve shape.

Towels and Linens

Single towel loads are common but can be unbalanced. Add one more towel if you can. Use warm or hot for hygiene if the fabric allows, and a high spin to remove water. Avoid mixing linty towels with dark clothing later to prevent lint transfer.

Activewear

Wash in cold with a gentle cycle to protect stretch fibers. Use a small amount of detergent designed for synthetics if possible. Avoid fabric softener, which can trap odors. Air dry to keep elasticity.

Jackets and Outerwear

Check the care label closely. Many puffer jackets and shells can be washed alone on a gentle or bulky cycle. Use a small amount of liquid detergent. For waterproof shells, avoid fabric softener. Spin low to prevent clumping, and reshape while damp. For down, follow specific down-wash instructions and dry with clean dryer balls to restore loft.

Shoes

Remove laces and insoles. Place shoes in a mesh bag and add a couple of old towels to cushion and balance. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Air dry; high heat can deform glue and rubber. Clean laces by hand or in a small bag.

Water, Energy, and Cost

How Much a Small Load Uses

Modern front-loaders can use around 10–20 gallons per load; top-loaders may use more. Running a single item often uses nearly the same resources as a small-to-medium load, unless your machine adjusts water levels very well. If you do this often, your bills and environmental footprint go up.

Environmental Angle and Smart Habits

To be kinder to your budget and the planet, combine items when possible, choose cold water, and use efficient cycles. Wash less frequently by airing out clothes that aren’t truly dirty. Keep a small basket for “nearly clean” items to merge into the next load.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Machine Won’t Spin with One Item

This usually means the washer detects imbalance. Pause the cycle, spread the item out, and add a similar-weight item if possible. Reduce spin speed and try again. If it still fails, run a drain-and-spin or a gentle cycle with lower spin.

Loud Banging or Walking Washer

Stop the cycle immediately to protect the machine. Redistribute the item around the drum. For top-loaders, place the item evenly around the agitator. Add a towel to balance. Consider lowering the spin speed. Check that the machine is level and the feet are adjusted.

Soap Residue or Smell

Too much detergent in a tiny load can leave film and odors. Rewash with no detergent on a rinse cycle. In the future, use less detergent and run an extra rinse if needed. Leave the door open after washing to let the drum dry and reduce musty smells.

Wrinkles and Creasing

Single items can twist during spin and come out wrinkled. Shake out right after the cycle ends, smooth seams, and hang to dry. Choose a lower spin speed or use a gentle cycle next time to minimize creasing.

Quick FAQ

Is It Bad for the Washer?

Occasionally running a single item is not harmful, but frequent unbalanced spins can strain bearings and suspension, especially in older machines. Balance the load, reduce spin speed, and add a helper item to protect the washer.

Can I Dry One Item Alone?

Yes, but one lightweight item can ball up and dry slowly. Toss in a clean, dry towel to help it tumble and dry evenly. For heavy items, dry on low and check often. Avoid overdrying to prevent shrinkage.

What Setting Is Best for One Shirt?

Use a quick or gentle cycle with cold water, reduced spin, and a small amount of liquid detergent. Add a similar item or a small towel to balance. If it’s barely dirty, hand wash or spot clean instead.

Conclusion

Yes—you can wash one item in the washing machine. The key is to do it thoughtfully. Balance the load when you can, choose the right cycle, and use less detergent. Reserve solo washes for bulky pieces, urgent hygiene, or when your machine has a small-load option. Otherwise, spot clean, hand wash, or wait to combine items. These simple habits keep your clothes looking better, your machine running smoothly, and your bills lower—all without sacrificing the convenience you need.