Nina’s Launderette

It’s a question many renters, students, and busy families have quietly pondered: Would I actually save money by using a laundromat instead of washing at home? On the surface, it seems obvious—surely running your own machine is cheaper… right? Well, not always. Here’s the short answer: Washing at home is usually cheaper per load —but only if you already own a reliable, energy-efficient washer and dryer, and don’t mind the ongoing costs of electricity, water, and detergent. If you’re a renter, using old appliances, or doing lots of small loads, a laundromat might actually work out cheaper or at least better value . Let’s break down the real numbers.  TL;DR – Which is cheaper per load? Washing Method Cost Per Load (AUD) Home (efficient cold wash) $0.90 – $1.40 Home (hot wash, older top loader) $1.60 – $2.50 Laundromat standard washer (7–9kg) $4.00 – $6.00 Laundromat large washer (10–18kg) $7.00 – $12.00 So yes, home washing wins on dollars alone , but there’s more to the story...

  Quick answer: A single load of washing at home costs between $0.60 and $1.80 , depending on your machine type, electricity and water rates, and whether you use hot or cold water. At a laundromat, the cost usually sits between $4 and $7 per wash, with drying an extra $1–$2 per 10 minutes . That said, there’s more to it than just dollars and cents. Let’s break down the actual cost of a load of laundry—at home and at the laundromat—and why the cheaper option isn’t always the better value.  What does it cost to wash a load at home? To understand the full cost, you need to account for: Electricity Water Detergent Machine depreciation (wear and tear) Let’s take a closer look. Electricity Most front-loading washing machines use around 0.6 to 1.5 kWh per cycle . If your electricity rate is $0.30 per kWh , the power cost is: Cold wash: ~$0.20–$0.30 Warm wash: ~$0.35–$0.45 Hot wash: ~$0.50–$0.70 Hot washes are the real energy guzzlers. Water A mode...