Laundry Cost Per Load

See exactly what each wash cycle costs by combining water consumption with electricity usage. Enter your local utility rates to reveal the per-load expense and make smarter decisions about laundry schedules, appliance upgrades, or laundromat comparisons.

Check your utility bill for the rate per gallon or per 1,000 gallons (divide by 1,000).
High-efficiency washers typically use 15–25 gallons; older models may use 40+ gallons.
Find the residential rate on your power bill or energy supplier website.
Front loaders often draw 0.8–1.5 kWh per cycle; add dryer energy separately.

Costs are estimates and may vary by region, appliance efficiency, and usage habits.

Examples

  • $0.005/gal · 28 gal + $0.14/kWh · 1.1 kWh ⇒ $0.31 per load
  • $0.006/gal · 40 gal + $0.12/kWh · 1.5 kWh ⇒ $0.42 per load
  • $0.004/gal · 25 gal + $0.20/kWh · 2.0 kWh ⇒ $0.50 per load

FAQ

Does this include detergent and dryer expenses?

No. Add the price of detergent, softener, dryer sheets, or gas/electric dryer costs separately for a complete picture.

Where can I find kWh per load?

Check your washer's EnergyGuide label or manufacturer manual. Many smart washers also report usage in their companion apps.

Can I enter metric units?

Yes. Convert liters to gallons by dividing by 3.785 and watt-hours to kWh by dividing by 1,000 before entering values.

How do gas dryers affect the calculation?

This calculator focuses on the washing machine. Estimate the dryer cost using your gas rate and add it to the per-load total for full-cycle budgeting.

What if my utility has tiered pricing?

Use the marginal rate (the price of your next unit of water or electricity) to estimate the incremental cost of another load.

Can I compare home laundry to laundromat prices?

Absolutely. Multiply the per-load result by your weekly loads to see whether home washing or a laundromat is more economical.

Additional Information

  • The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports the average residential electricity rate at roughly $0.16 per kWh in 2024.
  • Municipal water utilities often bill in units of 1,000 gallons; divide that rate by 1,000 to obtain a per-gallon figure.
  • Adding detergent, dryer costs, and appliance depreciation can provide a fuller cost-per-load analysis.
  • High-efficiency washers can cut both water use and energy use by 25–40% compared to older top loaders.

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