Laundry Cost Calculator

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

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: BLS

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

The real price of a load of laundry runs well past the detergent bottle, pulling in machine use, water, and energy too. Seeing the full picture matters for budgeting and for spotting savings, particularly if you wash often or lean on commercial machines.

The math adds up a per-load cost across each piece: electricity figured from appliance wattage and your local rate, water from machine capacity and water rates, detergent, and extras such as fabric softener or dryer sheets. That per-load total then multiplies by however many loads you run in a week or a month.

Drying deserves its own line, since an electric dryer can rival the wash itself in cost. Many people tally only detergent and skip the utilities entirely, yet those water and energy charges are usually where most of the spending hides.

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.

You might also need

Cost of Living Comparison — Salary Equivalency by US City

Compare cost of living between US cities and see the salary needed to maintain your lifestyle when relocating. Free, instant results for any US metro area.

Tip Calculator

Calculate tip amount and split the bill between multiple people. Quick preset tip percentages for restaurants and services.

Discount Calculator

Calculate sale price after discount with optional sales tax. Supports stacked percentage discounts.