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Laundry Cost Calculator

Estimate the cost of doing laundry based on washer use, dryer use, electricity, water, detergent and number of loads.

Your Details

Overview

A laundry cost calculator helps you estimate what each load of washing costs and how that adds up over time. Enter your weekly number of loads, washer and dryer electricity use, water use, utility rates and detergent cost to get a simple cost estimate.

How it works

The calculator estimates the cost of one load by adding the washer electricity cost, dryer electricity cost, water cost and detergent cost. It then multiplies that per-load cost by your average monthly loads and yearly loads. Monthly loads are estimated from weekly loads using 52 weeks per year divided by 12 months.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter how many laundry loads you do each week.
  2. 2Add the washer electricity used for one load.
  3. 3Add the dryer electricity used for one load, or enter 0 if you air dry.
  4. 4Enter the water used per load and your water rate.
  5. 5Add your electricity rate and detergent cost per load.
  6. 6Review the estimated cost per load, monthly cost and annual cost.

Example Calculation

Loads per week

5

Washer electricity per load

0.3

Dryer electricity per load

2.5

Water per load

50

Electricity rate

$0

Water rate per litre

$0

Detergent cost per load

$0

Cost per load

$0.95

With 5 loads per week, a washer using 0.3 kWh, a dryer using 2.5 kWh, 50 litres of water per load, electricity at 0.18 per kWh, water at 0.002 per litre and detergent costing 0.35 per load, the estimated laundry cost is about 1.00 per load, 21.67 per month and 52.26 per year.

Frequently asked questions

What does this laundry cost calculator estimate?

It estimates the cost of one load of laundry and your approximate monthly and yearly laundry costs based on energy, water and detergent use.

How do I find washer or dryer electricity use per load?

You can check the appliance manual, energy label, manufacturer website or estimate from your appliance's rated energy use and cycle length.

What if I air dry my clothes?

Enter 0 for dryer electricity per load to estimate the cost of washing without machine drying.

Can I use this calculator for laundromat costs?

It is mainly designed for home laundry. For laundromats, you could use the machine fee as an adjusted per-load cost if needed.

Does this include fabric softener or stain remover?

Only if you include those items in the detergent cost per load input.

Why is my monthly cost not exactly weekly cost times 4?

The calculator uses 52 weeks per year divided by 12 months, which gives a more realistic monthly average than assuming every month has exactly 4 weeks.

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Assumptions and warnings

Assumptions

  • Results are estimates based on average weekly usage across the year.
  • The calculation includes washer electricity, dryer electricity, water and detergent costs only.
  • It assumes your electricity and water rates stay the same over the period.
  • It does not include appliance purchase, maintenance, repairs or laundromat fees.