Laundry Cost Per Load Calculator
| Scenario | Per load | 300 loads/yr |
|---|---|---|
| HE washer only | $0.35 | $105 |
| HE washer + dryer | $0.80 | $240 |
| Traditional washer only | $0.74 | $222 |
| Laundromat (wash+dry) | $4.00 | $1,200 |
Laundry is the invisible utility: the machine was bought years ago, the water bill arrives combined, and the detergent box lasts months - so the per-load cost stays invisible. The honest arithmetic: an HE washer uses about 15 gallons and 0.5 kWh per wash, a traditional washer 40 gallons and 2.3 kWh, and an electric dryer about 3 kWh. At default rates, an HE wash costs 35 cents, wash plus dryer 80 cents - and the laundromat's $4 is a 5x premium.
Bottom line: the dryer is the expensive half (three kilowatt-hours against the washer's half), which is why line-drying even half your loads saves real money - about $45 a year at 300 loads. The second lever is the detergent: 20 cents a load is pod pricing, and powder costs about half that.
The honest part: the model excludes the machine itself (an $800 washer spread over 2,400 loads adds 33 cents, which is real but not per-load) and assumes you match load size to the machine. The rates above are editable - your utility bill has the exact numbers.
How to use
- Enter your electricity rate and detergent cost per load - both are on your utility bill and the detergent box.
- Read the per-load figure for HE washing alone, then the wash-plus-dryer figure (the honest total for most households).
- Compare against the laundromat row: the premium is why in-unit laundry adds hundreds to rent yet still wins on cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a load of laundry cost?
An HE washer costs about 35 cents per load (0.5 kWh + 15 gallons + detergent); adding an electric dryer brings it to about 80 cents. A traditional washer runs 74 cents a load on water and electricity alone. At 300 loads a year, that is $105-$240 depending on the setup - and $1,200 if you are using the laundromat.
Why is my electric bill higher in laundry-heavy months?
The dryer: at 3 kWh per load it is the single most expensive step, and winter means more indoor drying. The lever is line-drying even half the loads - at 300 loads a year, skipping the dryer saves about $135 a year (plus the wear that dryer heat puts on clothes).
Do pods cost more than liquid detergent?
Yes - roughly 20 cents per load for pods against 10-12 cents for measured liquid or powder, which doubles the detergent line. The pod's convenience premium is about $30 a year at 300 loads; the powder compromise (cheaper, equally effective, slightly messier) is the middle path.
Is a laundromat more expensive than home laundry?
About five times: $4 per wash-and-dry against roughly 80 cents at home - $1,200 a year against $240 at 300 loads. The laundromat's honest advantages are no machine capital and no space requirement; the break-even for buying a washer is typically 18-24 months of laundromat use, which is why in-unit laundry commands a rent premium.