How Much Does Laundry Cost at a Laundromat?

One of the most common questions people have before visiting a laundromat is: how much is this actually going to cost me? Here in Brenham, TX, prices are generally on the affordable side compared to big-city laundromats.

Average Laundromat Prices

Prices vary depending on your area, the age of the machines, and the size of the washer. Here's what you can typically expect:

Washer Prices by Size

• Small front-load washer (1-2 loads): $2.00-$3.50
• Medium front-load washer (2-3 loads): $3.50-$5.50
• Large front-load washer (4-5 loads): $5.50-$8.00
• Extra-large front-load washer (6-8 loads): $8.00-$10.00

At Alamo Laundry, our Electrolux front-load washers range from two-load capacity ($3.50) up to eight-load capacity ($9.75), with optional heavy-duty ($0.50) or extra-rinse ($0.50) cycles.

Dryer Prices

Dryers are typically priced by time rather than by load. Most dryers cost $0.25 per 4-6 minutes, with a full drying cycle running about $1.00-$3.00 depending on the load size and fabric type. At Alamo Laundry in Brenham, our 50lb stacked dryers run $0.25 per 5 minutes and our 80lb dryer runs $0.25 per 4 minutes.

High-performance machines with strong spin cycles (like the 450G Electrolux washers at Alamo Laundry) extract more water during the wash, so your clothes need less dryer time—often just 15-20 minutes.

Total Cost Examples

• Single person, one week of clothes: $6-$8 (one medium washer + dryer)
• Couple, one week of clothes: $8-$12 (one large washer + dryer)
• Family of four, one week of clothes: $12-$18 (one extra-large washer or two medium washers + dryers)
• Comforter or large blanket: $8-$12 (one large washer + extended dryer time)

What Affects the Price?

Several factors determine how much you'll spend at the laundromat:

Machine Size

Bigger machines cost more per cycle, but they hold more clothes. In most cases, one large load is cheaper than two small loads. If you have a full week's worth of laundry, a medium or large front-load washer is almost always the better deal.

Location

Laundromat prices reflect local costs. Urban areas and higher cost-of-living regions tend to charge more. Small-town laundromats like those in Brenham are often significantly cheaper than what you'd find in Houston or Austin.

Machine Age and Type

Newer, high-efficiency machines may cost slightly more per cycle but use less water and extract more moisture during the spin cycle—which means shorter (and cheaper) drying times. Older machines may have lower wash prices but require longer drying, evening out the total cost.

Payment Method

Some laundromats charge slightly different rates for card vs. coin payment. A few offer loyalty programs or discounts for using their app or card system.

How to Save Money at the Laundromat

A few simple strategies can cut your laundry costs by 20-30%:

• Use the right size machine. Don't use a large washer for a small load—you're paying for capacity you're not using. But also don't cram too much into a small machine, which leads to poor cleaning and the need to rewash.
• Bring your own detergent. Vending machine pods cost $1-2 each. A bottle of detergent from the store costs $8-12 and lasts for dozens of loads.
• Don't over-dry. Check your clothes a few minutes before the timer ends. If they're dry, stop the cycle. Many people pay for 10-15 extra minutes of drying they don't need.
• Wash with cold water. Cold water cleans just as well for most loads and is sometimes a cheaper cycle option on machines that charge by water temperature.
• Do full loads. Whether you wash 5 items or 15 in a medium washer, the cost is the same. Wait until you have enough to fill the machine properly.
• Visit during off-peak hours. Some laundromats offer discounts during slower times like weekday mornings or late evenings.

Laundromat vs. Doing Laundry at Home

Many people assume doing laundry at home is always cheaper, but the math isn't as clear-cut as you'd think:

Home Laundry Costs

• Washer and dryer purchase: $800-$2,000+ for the pair
• Water per load: $0.15-$0.30
• Electricity/gas per load: $0.30-$0.75
• Detergent per load: $0.20-$0.50
• Maintenance and repairs: $100-$300/year on average
• Total per load (not counting machine cost): $0.65-$1.55

The Hidden Costs of Home Laundry

Home laundry looks cheaper on a per-load basis, but you're also paying for the machines, the space they take up, the water heater energy, and your time. A single load at home takes 1.5-2 hours from start to finish—and you can only do one at a time.

At a laundromat, you can do 4-5 loads simultaneously in about 90 minutes. If your time has value, the laundromat can actually be the more efficient choice.

When a Laundromat Definitely Makes Sense

• You rent and don't have in-unit laundry
• You need to wash bulky items (comforters, rugs) that don't fit in a home washer
• Your home machines are old and inefficient
• You want to do all your laundry in one trip instead of all-day batching

Wash-and-Fold Service Costs

Many laundromats offer wash-and-fold (also called fluff-and-fold) service where the staff does everything for you. Typical pricing:

• Per pound: $1.00-$2.50/lb (most common pricing model)
• Minimum charge: Usually 5-15 lbs minimum
• Average cost for one person's weekly laundry: $15-$30

At Alamo Laundry, first-time customers pay just $1.00/lb and returning customers pay $1.50/lb, with a 10-pound minimum and 24-hour turnaround. We also offer flat-rate bedding pricing: Twin comforters $20, Full/Queen $25, King $30.

Wash-and-fold costs more than self-service, but you're paying for convenience. Drop off in the morning, pick up in the afternoon—no waiting, no folding, no sorting. For busy professionals and families, this can be well worth the premium.

Frequently Asked Questions