Laundromat vs. Home Washer: When It Makes Sense to Go Out
Most people think laundromats are only for people without home washers. But plenty of homeowners make regular laundromat trips—and for good reason.
Quick Answer
Use a laundromat for bulky items that don't fit at home, catch-up sessions when laundry piles up, and when time matters more than cost. Four loads at home take 7 hours; at a laundromat, just 1 hour 40 minutes. Many homeowners strategically combine both for maximum efficiency.
Here's when the laundromat beats home washing, even if you have machines at home.
When You Should Use a Laundromat
1. Bulky items that don't fit at home
King-size comforters, heavy blankets, sleeping bags, large area rugs—these need commercial-size machines. Cramming them into a home washer damages both the item and the machine.
Laundromat commercial washers range from 5 to 8+ cubic feet, compared to the typical home washer at 4-5 cubic feet.
2. Catching up on laundry
Got back from vacation? Kids came home from college? Just let things pile up for too long? At home, doing eight loads means eight separate cycles—potentially an entire day or more.
At the laundromat, load eight machines simultaneously. All eight loads wash in 35 minutes, not five hours.
3. When time matters more than money
Your hourly rate matters. If you earn $50/hour and laundry at home takes 4 hours of active attention spread across the day, that's $200 worth of your time.
A laundromat visit with the same amount of laundry: 90 minutes, fully contained. The extra $15-20 in machine costs might be well worth it.
4. Large families doing weekly laundry
A family of five generates a lot of laundry. Running small loads one after another at home is inefficient. Large-capacity laundromat machines let you consolidate, washing a week's worth of clothes for multiple people in a single session.
5. Items that need heavy-duty cleaning
Pet bedding, sports gear, heavily soiled work clothes—these benefit from commercial-grade machines and hot water capacity that home units can't match.
6. When your home machine is broken (or aging)
Waiting for a repair? Between machines? A laundromat is the obvious bridge. But even if your home washer still technically works, older machines don't clean as effectively.
The Real Cost Comparison
Home laundry costs per load:
- Water: $0.50-1.00
- Electricity/gas: $0.75-1.50
- Detergent: $0.25-0.50
- Machine wear/depreciation: $0.25-0.50
- Total: $1.75-3.50 per load
Laundromat costs:
- Small washer: $2.50-3.50
- Large washer: $5.00-7.00
- Dryer (full cycle): $2.00-3.00
- Total: $4.50-10.00 per load
At first glance, home washing is cheaper per load. But consider:
- That "$1.75 per load" at home assumes your machine lasts 10+ years
- Large laundromat machines hold 3-4 home loads
- Time efficiency changes the math
- Some items genuinely need larger/better machines
The Time Factor
This is where laundromats often win.
Home laundry for 4 loads:
- Load 1: Wash (45 min) + Dry (60 min) = 1:45
- Load 2: Wash + Dry = 1:45
- Load 3: Wash + Dry = 1:45
- Load 4: Wash + Dry = 1:45
- Total: 7 hours (though not all active time)
Laundromat for 4 loads:
- All 4 loads wash simultaneously: 35 min
- All 4 loads dry simultaneously: 45 min
- Folding: 20 min
- Total: 1 hour 40 minutes
You've reclaimed 5+ hours of your day.
The Hybrid Approach
Many people use both. Here's a sensible strategy:
Do at home:
- Regular weekly maintenance loads
- Delicates and items requiring special care
- Small quick loads (a few items you need for tomorrow)
Do at the laundromat:
- Bulky bedding and blankets
- Catch-up sessions when laundry accumulates
- Large items like rugs, curtains, pet beds
- Deep cleaning for tough stains
At The Wash House locations in Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Garfield Heights, we see plenty of regulars with home washers who stop in specifically for big items or catch-up sessions. It's not either/or.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it wasteful to use a laundromat when I have a home washer?
Not at all. Using the right tool for the job is efficient. Commercial machines are more effective for certain items like bulky bedding, and parallel washing saves significant time. Many homeowners strategically use laundromats for specific tasks.
How often do people with home washers use laundromats?
It varies widely. Some come monthly for bedding, others quarterly for a "reset" when laundry piles up. Families often use laundromats seasonally for items like winter coats, sleeping bags, and comforters.
Can I wash everything at the laundromat, even delicates?
Yes. Most laundromats have machines with gentle cycles suitable for delicates. You can also hand-wash delicates at home and use the laundromat for everything else that needs more capacity or power.
Is it cheaper to wash at home or at a laundromat?
Per load, home washing costs $1.75-3.50 while laundromat loads cost $4.50-10.00. However, laundromat machines hold 3-4 home loads, and parallel washing can save 5+ hours on a big laundry day. Factor in your time value and specific needs.
What items should always be washed at a laundromat?
King-size comforters, heavy blankets, sleeping bags, large rugs, pet beds, and heavily soiled work clothes benefit most from commercial machines. These items either don't fit in home washers or need the extra water and agitation power.
How much faster is laundromat washing compared to home?
For 4 loads, home washing takes about 7 hours total (cycling through one machine), while a laundromat takes about 1 hour 40 minutes (all loads washing and drying simultaneously). That's 5+ hours saved.
Are laundromat machines cleaner than home washers?
Commercial laundromat machines run at higher temperatures and are professionally maintained. They also fully drain between cycles, unlike many home front-loaders that can develop odors. Quality laundromats clean machines regularly.