The allowable load depends on the cycle and the garments, not just the advertised kilograms. The laundry must fit and move as the manual expects; closing the door does not prove the load is appropriate.
Dry weight and volume answer different questions
When capacity is expressed in kilograms of dry laundry, compare it with that weight, without interpreting the figure as a limit for clothes that are already soaked. Then check the maximum for the cycle: wool, quick, or drying may allow less than the reference cycle.
A light but bulky item may take up the available space before reaching the allowed weight. A compact, absorbent one creates distribution problems. For duvets and blankets, also check the conditions for the individual item.
Placement according to the machine design
In a front-load washer, load laundry without pressing it against the door. In a top-load washer, follow the distribution the manufacturer indicates around the agitator or over the impeller. Do not wrap a long item around a central element or press to fit more in.
The rule of leaving a hand-sized gap does not apply to every cycle and design. Use the load references in the manual.
Small loads and imbalance
A single item can bunch up during spinning. Check whether the machine allows that load and what correction it calls for; do not add objects as ballast. If you need to redistribute it, wait until the machine has stopped and it is safe to open.
Clumped laundry, uneven cleaning, and tangling justify checking the amount, but do not by themselves confirm a malfunction. Knocking and shifting that persist require diagnosis when the load already complies with the instructions.
Decide on the load before starting; redistributing it afterward does not make an item that is too large or excluded become acceptable.