How much does it cost to do laundry for one person?

How much does it cost to do laundry for one person?

A single person should pay about $0.84 per load of laundry at home and $4.25 per load of laundry at a laundromat. The bulk of the cost comes from energy used by the washer and dryer. Therefore, selecting energy efficient machines can reduce your laundry expenses.

Imagine, knowing exactly how much it costs you or your family to do laundry. Laundry can get expensive if you’re not careful.

Knowing how much you spend on laundry can be very beneficial.

Luckily for you, I’ll show you how much it costs to do laundry. I’ll even show you how to calculate the cost of laundry for your own situation and give you tips on reducing your laundry bill. You’ll be on your way to saving more money on laundry.

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How much does it cost to do laundry for one person?

A single person should expect to pay about $0.84 per load of laundry at home and $4.25 per load of laundry at a laundromat. A single person should expect to do two loads of laundry per week. Therefore, you will pay about $87 per year at home and $442 per year at a laundromat.

How much does one load of laundry cost at home?

A single load of laundry at home costs about $0.84 using moderately efficient appliances. Older and less efficient appliances can increase the cost of doing laundry. Utilities vary by state and city, meaning laundry costs will increase in high cost of living areas.

Across the United States, the average water cost is about $0.002 per gallon. The amount of water your machine uses depends on how efficient your model is. Typically, the number of gallons you use are as follows:

Washing Machine Type	Average gallons of water used per load	Average cost of water per load
Older top load	26-32	$0.05 – $0.06
Top load	21	$0.04
Energy Star certified	14	$0.03
Front load	12	$0.02

As you can see, someone with a front load Energy Star certified washer will pay less per load of laundry than someone using a top load.

Washers also have a power consumption which ranges between 400 and 1300 watts (0.4 to 1.3 kW). Dryers use between 1800 and 5000 watts or 1.8 to 5 kW. 

The average cost of electricity is 13.31 cents per kWh. Therefore, you pay between $0.29 and $0.84 in energy per hour load of laundry. Most people will pay about $0.56 for an hour and a half load of laundry (washing and drying).

Most people will pay around $0.21 per load in laundry detergent and $0.04 for laundry sheets. Therefore, the total cost of detergent and dryer sheets is $0.25 per load.

All together, the average person spends about $0.84 on a single load of laundry at home. This assumes you are using moderately efficient appliances. Older appliances can significantly increase the cost of doing laundry.

How much does a load of laundry cost at a laundromat?

A load of laundry will typically cost about $4 between washing and drying at a laundromat. A single person should expect to bring a roll of quarters or $10 worth to complete two loads of laundry. In addition, you will pay about $0.25 per load in laundry detergent and dryer sheets.

How often do you do laundry as a single person?

Most single individuals will need to do laundry twice per week. Some individuals choose to wash colors, darks, and whites separately which would require three separate loads. However, colors and darks can often be combined which reduces the number of loads to twice per week.

How can you reduce laundry costs?

The best way to reduce laundry costs is to use a front load energy star certified washer and dryer. Make sure you only do laundry when you have a full load. The majority of your laundry expense comes from energy costs, so utilize spin cycles, hanging clothes, and minimizing dry time.

Use Energy Star appliances

Energy Star certified appliances are designed and certified to save you money in the long run by reducing utilities. On average, Energy Star washers use 25% less energy and 33% less water than other washers.

Use a front load washing machine

Front load washers are easier to clean, use less energy and water, and allow you to clean more clothes at once. Top load washing machines are horribly inefficient and end up costing you more money in energy and water.

Only wash full loads

Some people will do a small load of laundry just to grab their favorite shirt. However, the majority of your laundry costs comes from the energy usage of your machine. You also put more wear and tear on your machine the more you use it.

You’ll receive the most value for your money if you only do laundry when you have a full load.

Hang dry clothes

Drying your clothing is the biggest cost when it comes to doing laundry. Having an efficient dryer will help, but hang drying clothes eliminates having to use the energy in the first place. At the very least, hang dry clothes that are hard to dry, like jeans, to avoid running multiple cycles.

Use the spin cycle

Most washing machines will have a spin cycle that can help remove the majority of moisture before drying. The spin cycle uses less energy than your dryer does. The dryer your clothes go into the dryer, the less energy you’ll need to use.

Use dryer balls

Dryer balls can be a good alternative to dryer sheets. A dryer ball is a more permanent solution than using sheets and works just as well.

How much does a washer and dryer cost?

Washers and dryers cost between $600 and $2,000. Top load washers and dryers are typically the cheapest cost up front, but you’ll pay more in operating costs than a front load.

Summary: How much does it cost to do laundry?

As you can see, it costs about $0.84 per load of laundry at home. Your individual energy costs, water costs, and type of appliances will influence how much you pay per load of laundry. Ideally, you are using a front load Energy Star certified washer and dryer.

Laundromats are more expensive. An individual load will cost you about $4.25.

A single person will have to do laundry at least twice per week, sometimes three. Combining colors and darks will help reduce the number of loads you need to run. You will pay about $87 per year at home and $442 per year at a laundromat.

Save money on laundry by using an Energy Star certified front load washer and dryer. Only wash clothes when you have a full load and hang dry when you can. Use your washing machine’s spin cycle to reduce the energy your dryer needs to use.