Average Cost of a Load of Laundry - Laundry Solutions Co. (2024)

By Laundry Solutions Company

As the owner of a laundromat, pricing your services properly will always be a concern. You do not want your competition to undercut your prices and steal your customers, but you also need to maintain a profit and pay important bills (lease/mortgage, equipment, maintenance, labor, utilities, etc). While you might start by researching the average cost of a load of laundry in your neighborhood and use that as a benchmark, you cannot allow a competitor’s low pricing to undermine your own profit margin. Scroll down for some helpful pricing tips.

Average Cost of a Load of Laundry - Laundry Solutions Co. (1)

Average Cost of a Load of Laundry

If you are considering raising prices at your laundromat, start by researching the average cost of a load of laundry in your area. There are several reasons why you might choose to risk raising your prices:

  • The average cost of a load of laundry in your area exceeds your current rates.
  • The costs of doing business have increased. For example, perhaps your landlord is raising your rent, utility rates have risen, or you need to replace equipment.
  • You are remodeling your laundromat to attract higher-end customers. The slight raise in prices will help you pay for the remodel, and it will also reflect your improved facility.

What Are Customers Willing to Pay?
The right price for a load of laundry depends largely upon your location and the quality of your services. Average costs to wash a load of laundry range from $1.50 to $4.00, with the national average hovering right around $2.00 (source). The cost of drying a load of laundry is very similar, though it typically depends on the amount of time it takes for the clothes to dry. Many laundromats allow the customer to determine how long they want their clothes to be in the dryer.

What Makes Customers Willing to Pay More?
You can’t always expect your customers to pay more money to wash their clothes, especially if your competitors offer similar services at a lower cost. To determine how you might improve your laundromat to ensure your services are worth a price hike, do some online research first. Review social media sites like Yelp, Facebook, and Google+ to read customers’ reviews and complaints. For example, if several patrons mention dirty restrooms and malfunctioning machines, you will know where to start with your refinement of your laundromat.

Next, check out the competition. What services do they offer? How much do they charge for a load of laundry? Do they have special amenities? What is the facility like in regard to comfort and style? In addition to reviewing their websites and social media, be sure to visit the laundromats for a hands-on investigation.

Where Could You Improve?
After reviewing your customers’ concerns and your competition, you may wish to make some of the following valuable upgrades:

  • Repairs to non-functioning (or poorly functioning) equipment
  • Large machines that handle multiple loads
  • Eco-friendly equipment
  • New paint
  • Bright, attractive lighting
  • New flooring (or a professional floor cleaning)
  • Wall art
  • Comfortable seating and folding stations
  • Janitorial services
  • Card-friendly payment system
  • Improved security system
  • On-duty staff members

These purchases and services will make your customers feel comfortable and welcome. Once they become regulars of your laundromat, a small uptick in costs is unlikely to keep them away.

Plus, some investments can help you save money over the long term. For example, maintained and upgraded equipment cuts down on your water and energy usage. By striking a judicious balance between upgrades and price increases, you can improve your profit margin while attracting and maintaining a robust customer base.

If you’re interested in opening a laundromat, be sure to check out Laundry Solutions Company, a full-service provider of premium vended, on-premises, and multi-housing commercial laundry equipment. Since 1976, we have been providing exceptional sales support, laundry design services, commercial laundry equipment (and leasing options), and laundry equipment service and parts. To learn more about our products and services, please give us a call at 800-383-9274 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!

Average Cost of a Load of Laundry - Laundry Solutions Co. (2024)

FAQs

What is the average cost for a load of laundry? ›

Water and electricity use also affects the price. Water costs around $0.88 per load, while energy prices for both machines range from $0.14 to $0.45. If you do four loads of laundry a week, expect to pay around $300 a year.

How much does it cost to run a load of laundry in the dryer? ›

Electric dryers span a wide range of wattages, from about 2,000 to 6,000 watts. That translates to about 2 to 6 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Based on the national average rate of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, each hour of electric drying will cost somewhere between 24 and 72 cents, depending on the model.

What is the cheapest way to do laundry? ›

16 Ways to Save Money in the Laundry Room
  1. Wash with cold water. ...
  2. Wash full loads. ...
  3. Dry right-sized loads for your machine. ...
  4. Air dry when you can. ...
  5. Switch loads while the dryer is warm. ...
  6. Use dryer balls. ...
  7. Clean the lint filter on the dryer. ...
  8. Use the high-speed or extended spin cycle in the washer.
Feb 14, 2018

How do you calculate laundry cost? ›

The formula is relatively simple: first, price is divided by life expectancy, and the weight of the item is multiplied by the laundry cost per pound. Cost per use can then be calculated by adding the two results together.

What is the average clothing cost per month? ›

The average person spends around $161 per month on clothes – women spend nearly 76% more than men do on clothing in a year. The average family of four spends around $1800 per year on clothes, with $388 of this on shoes.

Why are laundromats so expensive? ›

Cost of the machinery and installation and maintenance. Cost of the clerk and accountant and shopkeeper and painter and cleaner. Cost of insurance and health care and social security of the clerks and attendants and the accountant and the tax specialist.

How much does it cost to run a dryer for 1 hour? ›

'Taking a national average of 15 cents per kilowatt (kWh), you are looking at 30 to 90 cents per hour of running a tumble dryer, depending on energy consumption.

Is it cheaper to use dryer at home or laundromat? ›

You Could Save Money By Using the Laundromat

The average cost per load at the laundromat is around $3-4. And the average cost per load at home is about $2-3 but this doesn't add in the cost of buying and maintaining your washer and dryer. The cost today of a washer and dryer is about $1,200 to $1,400 or more.

How much does it cost to run a washing machine per load? ›

On average, washers use 400 to 1,400 watts of electricity – this number is highly dependent on the model you have. Using a washing machine 3 times a week will use about 140.4 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. It costs an average of $1.66 to run a washer for a month, and $19.92 to run for a year.

Is it cheaper to hand wash or machine wash clothes? ›

Conclusion. There is no definitive answer to this question. Washing your clothes by hand will use considerably less water than using a machine but unless you use cold water, the energy required to heat the water in your home probably outweighs the electricity usage by your appliance.

Is it cheaper to go to a laundromat or? ›

You could save money using a laundromat. The average cost of doing a load of laundry at our laundromat is around $5. This includes washing and drying. The average cost of doing your laundry at home is $2-$3 per load but does not account for the cost of buying or maintaining your machines.

What is best time of day to do laundry to save money? ›

Most people will see that they have a lower tariff overnight, usually between 11 pm and 7 am. This is the best time to do your washing as you'll save money. Saving money on electricity is only part of the equation.

What is the cost per load? ›

What is Cost Per Load? Definition: Cost per load typically refers to the cost it takes to do one load of laundry. This term can be applied to other types of loads, but laundry is the most common.

Does laundry cost a lot of electricity? ›

The average dry cycle is 45 ‒ 60 minutes, though heavy loads require as much as 90 minutes. That means the average homeowner uses 2,250 ‒ 3,000 watts per cycle. However, for large households, it might be as high as 4,500.

How do you calculate per load? ›

To calculate the capacity load ratio you must divide the required hours on a project by the amount of time available to complete it and multiply it by 100.

What is the average amount spent on clothes? ›

In the US, women and girls spend an average of $545 per year on clothing, while men and boys spend just $326. Footwear costs the average household $314, while clothes for children under two comes in at $68. That comes to a total of $1,434 each year on clothes – or about $120 a month.

How much does 1 person spend on clothes per month? ›

How much do clothes cost per month? In the United States, households spend an average of about $120 per month on clothes. That comes out to $1,434 per year.

What is the average expenses of a clothing brand? ›

Depending on whom you choose to work alongside, starting a clothing line could cost anywhere between $500 to $10,000. If you're an established designer, it will probably cost you upwards of $25,000 to $50,000. Again, it depends on so many factors within your own business plan.

Can a laundromat make you a millionaire? ›

Dave Menz's initial purchase of a run down laundromat he found on Craigslist has led him to becoming a millionaire. Here's how he did it – and you can, too. As of 2022, there are 18,264 laundromat businesses in the United States that generate about $5 billion in combined nationwide gross annual revenue.

Do small laundromats make money? ›

Laundromats in the U.S. see an average cash-on-cash ROI of 20-35% (9)—much higher than most alternative investments. And when you factor the flexibility and low labor costs, laundromats just make sense.

How much do laundromat owners make? ›

The average laundromat makes between $450-$500 per day. This includes revenue from the washers, dryers, and other secondary income streams such as vending revenue. The range of daily income from self service laundry is around $100 per day to $1,500 per day.

What time of the day is it cheaper to run a dryer? ›

Run your washer and dryer early in the morning or at night to avoid the surge. During the winter, electricity demand is highest in the morning hours between 7 and 9 am when people are waking up and turning up their heat. Doing laundry in the evening is your safest bet.

Is it cheaper to run dryer at night? ›

According to the Daily Record, the most expensive time to use your washing machine or tumble dryer is between 4pm and 7pm. Energy prices are at their lowest between 10pm and 5am, but make sure you never leave it on over night as this could be a fire risk.

Why does dryer take 2 hours? ›

Lint in debris buildup inside exhaust vents is a common cause of a dryer taking too long to dry. Clogged dryer vents can also restrict airflow in the dryer and lengthen drying times, not to mention cause dangerous dryer fires.

How much money can you save by not using your dryer? ›

Line-drying prolongs the life of your clothing.

Line drying is more gentle to fibers. You'll lower your gas or electric bill. Project Laundry List estimates the average household could save 10 to 20 percent percent on utility bills by hanging the wash!

What is a reasonable amount to spend on a washer and dryer? ›

“Overall, you should be prepared to spend at least $1,000 on a new washer and dryer, while higher-end models could cost upward of $2,000 for the set,” says Gall. Make sure to consider options from these reliable appliance brands.

How long does it take to wash clothes at a laundromat? ›

Most wash cycles take around 25 minutes, and dryer times are typically around 30 minutes.

What uses the most electricity in a home? ›

Top five energy consuming home appliances
  • Wet appliances. Washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14% of a typical energy bill, taking the top spot in our list. ...
  • Cold appliances. ...
  • Consumer electronics. ...
  • Lighting. ...
  • Cooking.
Jan 14, 2022

Does TV use a lot of electricity? ›

Yes. TVs can use a lot of electricity and quickly add up to your electricity cost. Old technology TVs like CRT and Plasma eat up more watts; however, the latest LCD and LED TVs are way more efficient and have less power hungry which is a relief. A modern TV uses around 50 to 100 Watts, depending on the screen size.

How much does it cost to run a fridge? ›

How much does it cost to run a fridge per day?
Fridge typeElectricity usage per yearElectricity usage per day
A Rated Fridge Freezer111kWh0.305kWh
D Rated Fridge Freezer209kWh0.574kWh
F Rated Fridge Freezer276kWh0.757kWh
C Rated American-style Fridge Freezer225kWh0.616kWh
4 more rows
Nov 7, 2022

Does it cost more money to wash dishes by hand? ›

Savvy consumers know there are plenty of ways to cut costs when it comes to utilities. Washing dishes by hand, however, doesn't necessarily save you money. Most experts agree that washing dishes by hand is actually more expensive than using an energy-efficient dishwasher.

Is it better to wash dishes by hand or dishwasher? ›

Using a dishwasher is more efficient than hand washing as it saves more water and electricity – not to mention elbow grease – than if you were to stand at the sink laboring over your dishes.

Is it better to hand wash t shirts? ›

Increase garment lifespan: Hand washing is much gentler than machine washing, so it helps to preserve fibers and detail-work on your garments. Save water: Washing machines use a ton of water (around 20 gallons per load). Washing clothes by hand uses considerably less water – especially if you opt for using cold water.

How many laundry loads per week? ›

Doing no more than 5 loads of washing per week is optimal for any household to maintain the quality of clothes and machines. It also helps protect the environment. Do not overload the washing machine though. This can result in the clothes not being washed properly and can damage your washing machine.

Why are laundromat dryers better? ›

Professional-Grade Machines

Coin laundromats use commercial-grade machines, which are designed to handle a large volume of laundry. This means that your clothes will get cleaner and dryer than they would in a typical home machine when they are not properly maintained or serviced.

Why do people use laundromats? ›

Save Water and Energy

Laundromats use machine washers that consume less water and energy than washing clothes at home. These machines also clean your clothes more thoroughly in comparison to washers made for homes, so you do not have to worry about the clothes not being clean enough.

Why clothes are not washed on Thursday? ›

In those days, the people were wearing saffron coloured clothes. Saffron colour is meant for Jupiter. If we wear saffron, it protects us from negative rays and vibrations. Since Thursday is meant for Jupiter, we are advised to avoid washing clothes on Thursdays that may wipe our good fortunes away.

What is the most expensive time to use the washing machine? ›

“The most expensive time to run your washing machine is between 4pm and 7pm," Vivien said. "Wash your clothes for less by maximising the start delay function to programme the machine to run outside of peak energy times.”

Is it cheaper to use a dishwasher at night? ›

"Running your dishwasher at night is the most energy efficient and budget friendly time of day," says Poole. That's because nighttime tends to be off-peak hours for energy companies when the cost of running the dishwasher is a little lower.

What is the cost per load of laundry? ›

Water and electricity use also affects the price. Water costs around $0.88 per load, while energy prices for both machines range from $0.14 to $0.45. If you do four loads of laundry a week, expect to pay around $300 a year.

What is a fully loaded cost? ›

What is Fully Loaded Cost? All costs that make up a staff cost eg Property, HR, Legal costs. Such cost flow through the corporate waterfall. The 'Fully Loaded Cost' of an IT Functional cost category such as datacentre, databases is made up of all the Staff, Contracts and aspects such as Depreciation.

What is a fully loaded standard cost? ›

Fully Loaded Cost means the direct cost of the applicable good, product or service plus indirect charges and overheads reasonably allocable to the provision of such good, product or service in accordance with US GAAP.

What is the cheapest to do laundry? ›

Try washing before 4 p.m. or after 7 p.m. – Many energy companies charge extra for electricity during their “peak hours,” which see increased energy usage. During the summer, run your washer early in the morning – energy use peaks on hot afternoons.

Is it better to do large or small loads of laundry? ›

Helps Save Energy

Doing a full load of laundry will help you use your washing machine much less and will help cut back on energy consumption as a whole!

How is loaded cost rate calculated? ›

The simplest way to derive the average loaded cost of an employee is to count up your total corporate expenses and divide it by the total number of productive hours worked.

How do you calculate load per day? ›

To calculate your load factor take the total electricity (KWh) used in the billing period and divide it by the peak demand (KW), then divide by the number of days in the billing cycle, then divide by 24 hours in a day.

Is it cheaper to do laundry at home or at laundromat? ›

Laundromats can save you a lot of money if you have many clothes that need washing. For example, one load at the laundromat may cost $0.25-$0.50 each, which is cheaper than buying your own washer and dryer. You can also save on energy costs by using the machines at laundromats.

How much is a load of laundry NYC? ›

Prices of Wash and Fold, also referred to as Laundry, Fluff and Fold or just Laundromat, range from . 75 cents to $5.00 per pound.

How much does the average American woman spend on clothes per year? ›

How much do clothes cost per month? In the United States, households spend an average of about $120 per month on clothes. That comes out to $1,434 per year.

How much does the average household spend on laundry? ›

Average Monthly Household Expenses Over Time
YearAverage monthly expensesAverage annual expenses
2018$5,102$61,224
2019$5,253$63,036
2020$5,111$61,334
2021$5,577$66,928
6 more rows
Apr 4, 2023

Should you stay at the laundromat while doing laundry? ›

So, is it safe to leave clothes alone at a laundromat? Probably not. To avoid potential theft or property damage, make sure to remove items from washers and dryers as soon as your cycle ends.

What uses the most electricity in your home? ›

Top five energy consuming home appliances
  • Wet appliances. Washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14% of a typical energy bill, taking the top spot in our list. ...
  • Cold appliances. ...
  • Consumer electronics. ...
  • Lighting. ...
  • Cooking.
Jan 14, 2022

What is the best time to do laundry? ›

Run your washer and dryer early in the morning or at night to avoid the surge. During the winter, electricity demand is highest in the morning hours between 7 and 9 am when people are waking up and turning up their heat. Doing laundry in the evening is your safest bet.

Do you tip wash and fold? ›

Tipping isn't required, but a nice gesture when they've gone above and beyond. Tip for stain removal, small repairs, or if the load is particularly large, and do so when picking up your laundry.

How much does drop off laundry cost NYC? ›

Pricing. Drop-off/pick-up is typically a cheaper option than an NYC laundry service that delivers, but you will likely pay more than self-service. The pricing is generally pay-by-the-pound, with prices ranging from $1 to $2 or more per pound. Many will have a minimum amount you must meet.

What age group spends the most money on clothes? ›

The 45-54 age group spent the most on women's and girls' clothing in 2021, averaging $995. This age group is more likely to spend more money on clothing than other age groups.

What do Americans spend the most money on? ›

The average household earned $87,432 in 2021 before taxes and spent $66,928, according to the BLS survey. Significant expenditures were housing, transportation and food. Slightly more than three-quarters of people's income in 2021 was devoted to living expenses.

How many clothes does the average American woman own? ›

How many clothes does the average woman own? In a recent survey from ClosetMaid, the average American woman has 103 items in her closet.

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