Quick answer
With the default assumptions, one laundry load costs about $1.04. At 4 loads per week, that is about $17.99 per month or $216 per year. Dryer use and detergent are often the largest parts of the cost.
How to use this laundry cost per load calculator
Choose a washer type to start with practical defaults, then edit washer kWh, water use, detergent cost, dryer kWh, loads per week, and local utility prices. If you know your exact washer water use or measured dryer kWh per load, use your own values.
The calculator separates washer electricity, dryer electricity, water and sewer, and detergent. That makes it easier to see whether the real driver is the washer, the dryer, utility rates, or consumables.
If you are still choosing equipment, first estimate capacity with the Washing Machine Capacity Calculator, then estimate drying cost with the Dryer Electricity Cost Calculator.
Laundry cost per load formula
washer electricity cost = washer kWh/load x electricity pricedryer electricity cost = dryer kWh/load x electricity pricewater cost = water per load / 1000 x water + sewer price per 1000 unitscost per load = washer electricity + dryer electricity + water cost + detergent costyearly cost = cost per load x loads per week x 52The formula treats laundry as a per-load cost breakdown. It does not include appliance purchase price, repairs, fabric softener, stain remover, dryer sheets, gas fuel, or laundromat fees.
Assumptions and methodology
Laundry cost depends on local prices and household habits. A water-efficient washer can reduce water use, but an electric dryer can still dominate the total cost if most loads are machine dried. Detergent cost also matters because it is paid every load.
- Water use can be entered in gallons or liters; water price uses the same selected unit per 1,000 units.
- Washer electricity and dryer electricity are separated so you can see which appliance drives the cost.
- Line drying sets dryer electricity to zero but still keeps washer, water, and detergent costs.
- Monthly cost is yearly cost divided by 12, which smooths out week-to-week laundry variation.
Example calculations
Home laundry cost examples
With the default efficient washer, 14 gal of water, 0.30 kWh of washer electricity, $0.25 detergent, and 3.30 kWh of dryer electricity, one load costs about $1.04.
Line drying the same washed load lowers the estimate to about $0.44 per load. An older top-load washer example with higher water use and electric drying is about $1.42 per load under the same utility assumptions.
Laundry cost per load chart
These examples use 4 loads per week, $0.18/kWh, and $10.00 per 1,000 gallons for water and sewer. Use the calculator above for your own utility prices.
| Laundry setup | Cost/load | Monthly cost | Yearly cost | Water/load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HE washer + line dry | $0.44 | $7.70 | $92.35 | 14 gal |
| HE washer + heat pump dryer | $0.70 | $12.06 | $145 | 14 gal |
| HE washer + electric dryer | $1.04 | $17.99 | $216 | 14 gal |
| Older top-load + electric dryer | $1.42 | $24.61 | $295 | 35 gal |
What should count as laundry cost?
For a simple home estimate, include the costs that repeat every load: washer electricity, water and sewer, detergent, and dryer electricity when the load is machine dried. If you use softener, scent beads, stain remover, bleach, or dryer sheets regularly, add those to the detergent field or treat them as a separate household consumable.
Appliance purchase price, maintenance, repairs, and replacement are real ownership costs, but they are not included in this per load operating estimate. Keep those separate when comparing a new washer or dryer purchase.
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FAQ
How much does one load of laundry cost?
Using the default example, one laundry load costs about $1.04. That includes washer electricity, water and sewer, detergent, and electric dryer electricity. Your actual cost depends on local utility prices, detergent cost, dryer use, and load size.
What is usually the biggest laundry cost?
For many home setups, electric dryer use is the largest variable cost. Detergent can also be a large part of the cost per load, especially if you use pods, premium detergent, stain additives, or fabric products.
Should water and sewer both be included?
Yes, if you pay both water and wastewater or sewer charges based on usage. Enter the combined cost per 1,000 gallons or per 1,000 liters so the calculator can estimate the water-related cost per load.
Does this calculator include gas dryer fuel?
No. This calculator includes electricity, water, and detergent. A gas dryer needs a separate gas cost input because the heat comes from gas while the motor and controls still use some electricity.
How much does line drying save?
With the default assumptions, line drying reduces the cost from about $1.04 per load to about $0.44 per load because dryer electricity is removed. The savings are larger when electricity rates or dryer kWh per load are higher.
Is an efficient washer always cheaper per load?
Usually it lowers water and washer electricity cost, but total laundry cost can still be driven by detergent and dryer use. If every washed load is also dried in an electric dryer, the dryer may dominate the result.
Why is my actual laundry cost different?
Real cost changes with load size, cycle choice, water temperature, local water and sewer rates, detergent dose, dryer cycle length, washer spin speed, fabric type, and whether you use additives or fabric softeners.