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What does the Laundry cost per load calculate?
What does each wash and dry cycle cost? This calculator uses washer energy, dryer energy, electricity price, water per load, water + sewer price, and detergent & supplies to estimate laundry cycle cost immediately in your browser.
With the values currently entered, the result is $1.75 — per washed and dried load. It also shows energy, water, and one load / week yearly.
How to use the Laundry cost per load
- Replace the example values with your own numbers.
- Review the result and supporting figures as they update automatically.
- Check the formula and assumptions before using the estimate for a decision.
Inputs used
- Washer energy — entered in kWh
- Dryer energy — entered in kWh
- Electricity price — entered in / kWh
- Water per load — entered in L
- Water + sewer price — entered in / m³
- Detergent & supplies
Laundry cost per load formula
Washer and dryer energy + water and sewer + supplies
Assumptions
- Machine energy labels reflect the selected cycles.
- Equipment purchase and maintenance are excluded.
Verify the inputs
Authoritative sources
These sources explain the definitions, factors, or rules behind this tool. Their geographic scope is shown because an official source for one country is not automatically valid somewhere else.
Sources do not endorse Calculum. Check the source date, scope, and your own documents before making a financial, tax, insurance, or reporting decision.
Practical guide
Laundry cost per load example and edge cases
What does each wash and dry cycle cost? Let's use a concrete example, then look at the assumptions that can move the answer.
Example: A practical laundry cost per load scenario
For this example, use washer energy of 0.7 kWh, dryer energy of 2.5 kWh, electricity price of 0.32 / kWh, water per load of 55 L, water + sewer price of 5 / m³, and detergent & supplies of 0.45. These are starting values, so replace them with numbers that match your situation.
- Washer energy
- 0.7 kWh
- Dryer energy
- 2.5 kWh
- Electricity price
- 0.32 / kWh
- Water per load
- 55 L
- Water + sewer price
- 5 / m³
- Detergent & supplies
- 0.45
Calculated result$1.75per washed and dried load
Start with per washed and dried load. Then check energy, water, and one load / week yearly to understand what sits behind the main result.
Example results use the default display profile. The calculator above follows your selected country and units.
How to read the result
- Read the main result first. The supporting figures for energy, water, and one load / week yearly explain how the estimate is built.
- The method is Washer and dryer energy + water and sewer + supplies. Keep the units consistent and use values from the same time period.
Edge cases worth checking
When washer energy is unusual
Machine energy labels reflect the selected cycles. Double-check this input before relying on the result.
When detergent & supplies is uncertain
Equipment purchase and maintenance are excluded. Run a lower and higher value to see a useful range.
What changes the result most
Washer energy
Measure washer energy with the same unit shown beside the input. Convert first if your source uses another unit.
Dryer energy
Measure dryer energy with the same unit shown beside the input. Convert first if your source uses another unit.
Electricity price
Use a current amount for electricity price. Include fees or recurring costs that belong in the same figure.
Try a different scenario
Small changes show whether the answer is stable or sensitive.
Washer energy: 10% lower
0.63 kWh$1.73per washed and dried load
Washer energy: 10% higher
0.77 kWh$1.77per washed and dried load
Dryer energy: 10% higher
2.75 kWh$1.83per washed and dried load
Common mistakes
Check washer energy
Machine energy labels reflect the selected cycles. Make sure this matches the number you enter.
Keep detergent & supplies consistent
Equipment purchase and maintenance are excluded. Use the same units and time period throughout the calculation.
Do not rely on one laundry cost per load scenario
Run a cautious case and an optimistic case. The range is often more useful than one exact-looking number.
Use this result well
What does each wash and dry cycle cost?
Actual tariffs, weather, equipment behavior, and fixed charges can change the bill.