Laundry Load Cost Calculator
Calculate the true cost per laundry load including electricity, water, detergent, and dryer costs.
See your weekly, monthly, and annual laundry spending.
The Hidden Cost of Laundry Most people think of laundry as “free” once the machine is paid for. In reality, each load carries measurable costs: electricity, water, detergent, and dryer energy. For a family doing 8–10 loads per week, annual laundry costs can reach $400–$700 or more. Understanding the breakdown helps identify where to cut costs most effectively.
Electricity Cost Electricity cost per load = (Machine Watts / 1000) × (Cycle Minutes / 60) × Electricity Rate A standard top-load washer uses 400–500 watts. A high-efficiency (HE) front-load washer uses 300–400 watts. At 13 cents per kWh (US average), a 45-minute wash cycle on a 500W machine costs about 5 cents. The dryer is the expensive part — a typical electric dryer uses 4,000–6,000 watts. A 45-minute dryer cycle at 5,000W and 13 cents/kWh costs about 49 cents per load.
Water Cost Older top-load washers use 35–50 gallons per load. Modern high-efficiency (HE) machines use 12–20 gallons — a 60% reduction. At a typical US water rate of $5 per 1,000 gallons, a 15-gallon HE load costs about 7.5 cents. A 40-gallon traditional washer load costs about 20 cents. Switching to HE machines can save 10–20 cents per load on water alone.
Detergent and Supplies Detergent cost varies widely: budget pods run 15–20 cents each; premium pods 35–50 cents. Liquid detergent measured properly costs 20–30 cents per load. Many people use 2–3× the needed amount, multiplying this cost unnecessarily. Fabric softener, dryer sheets, and stain treatments add another 10–25 cents per load if used regularly.
The Dryer Decision The dryer is typically the single largest cost per load. Air-drying clothes eliminates dryer costs entirely — significant for families with many loads. Gas dryers use roughly 1/3 the energy cost of electric dryers (gas is cheaper per BTU in most regions). Cleaning the lint filter every cycle and the dryer vent annually maintains efficiency and reduces fire risk.
Reducing Your Laundry Cost Wash with cold water: modern detergents work well in cold water, saving 75–90% of washing electricity. Run full loads: same electricity and water regardless of load size — full loads cut cost per item. Use HE detergent in HE machines: standard detergent creates excess suds that require extra rinse cycles. Dry consecutive loads: a warm dryer drum from the first load reduces heat-up time and energy on subsequent loads.