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Laundromat vs Home Washer Cost Calculator

Compare years of laundromat trips against buying a washer and dryer — including the per-load cost of water, power and detergent at home — and find the break-even point.

Loads of laundry per week

Laundromat cost per load (wash + dry)

Washer + dryer purchase & install

Home cost per load (water, power, detergent)

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How it works

Loads/year = loads/week × 52 · Laundromat/year = loads × per-load fee · Home/year = loads × home per-load cost · Break-even years = appliance cost ÷ yearly saving

A laundromat charges a flat fee per load with no upfront cost, while a home washer-dryer flips that: a large one-time purchase but a low marginal cost of water, electricity and detergent per load. The comparison hinges on volume — the more loads you run, the faster the appliance’s per-load savings repay its price. Dividing the machine cost by the yearly saving gives the break-even in years; convenience and time saved are real bonuses this cost-only view leaves out.

Worked example

At 4 loads a week that is 208 loads a year. At $4.50 each the laundromat costs $936 a year, versus 208 × $1.10 = $228.80 at home — a $707.20 yearly saving. A $1,300 washer-dryer therefore breaks even in about 1.8 years.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to run a load at home?

Typically around $0.50–$1.50 per load once you add water, electricity to run the washer and heat the dryer, and detergent. High-efficiency machines and line-drying push it lower. Enter your own utility rates for a sharper figure — the per-load home cost is what the appliance saving depends on.

Does this include repairs and appliance lifespan?

No — it compares purchase and per-load running costs only. Washers and dryers last roughly 10–14 years and may need occasional repairs, so over a long horizon factor in maintenance. Even so, at moderate volumes the break-even usually arrives well within the machines’ life.

What if I rent and cannot install a washer?

Then the appliance route may not be available, and the laundromat (or a shared building machine) is your real comparison. You can still use this to weigh a portable or apartment-sized washer against laundromat trips, and to value the time and hassle each option costs you.

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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.