Laundry Cost Calculator

Calculate weekly, monthly, and annual laundry costs at home vs laundromat.
Machine Type
$

Monthly Cost

$12.99

Annual Cost

$156.00

Cost Breakdown

Weekly$3.00
Monthly$12.99
Annual$156.00
Laundromat Annual$936.00

Use the Laundry Cost Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

This calculator helps you estimate the true cost of doing laundry, including machine usage, detergent, and even water/energy. Understanding these costs is crucial for budgeting and finding ways to save money over time, especially if you do laundry frequently or use commercial services.

The calculator typically sums up the cost per load for electricity (based on appliance wattage and local rates), water (based on machine capacity and water rates), detergent, and any other consumables like fabric softener or dryer sheets. It multiplies these per-load costs by your estimated number of loads per week or month.

Don't forget to factor in the cost of drying, which can be significant, especially for electric dryers. A common mistake is only considering detergent costs and overlooking the utility expenses, which often make up the bulk of laundry spending.

Example: Weekly Laundry Cost for a Family

  1. 1 Input: Washer (2000W, 0.5hr cycle), Dryer (3500W, 1hr cycle), Electricity ($0.15/kWh), Water ($0.005/gallon, 25 gallons/load), Detergent ($0.20/load), 4 loads per week.
  2. 2 Calculation: Electricity (washer): (2000W * 0.5hr / 1000) * $0.15 = $0.15. Electricity (dryer): (3500W * 1hr / 1000) * $0.15 = $0.53. Water: 25 gallons * $0.005 = $0.13. Total per load: $0.15 + $0.53 + $0.13 + $0.20 = $1.01. Weekly cost: $1.01 * 4 loads = $4.04.
  3. 3 Result: The estimated weekly laundry cost for this family is $4.04.
  4. 4 Takeaway: Over a year, this amounts to over $200. Investing in an energy-efficient washer and dryer, or air-drying clothes when possible, could lead to significant savings.

Source: BLS · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to do laundry at home per load?
A home laundry load costs about $0.75-$1.50 including electricity or gas, water, and detergent. High-efficiency machines with cold water wash cost less. This totals $400-$800 per year for an average household doing 5-8 loads per week.
Is it cheaper to do laundry at home or at a laundromat?
Home laundry is significantly cheaper per load ($0.75-$1.50 vs $3-$6 at a laundromat). However, home machines cost $800-$2,000 upfront. Over 5 years, home laundry saves $2,000-$5,000 compared to laundromat use.
How much electricity does a dryer use per load?
An electric dryer uses about 2-5 kWh per load, costing $0.30-$0.75 depending on your electricity rate. Gas dryers use about $0.20-$0.40 in gas per load. Air drying saves the most but takes several hours.

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