Small (approx. 5 lbs)
Medium (approx. 10 lbs)
Large (approx. 15 lbs)
Understanding Laundry Costs
Doing laundry is a household necessity, but have you ever stopped to consider the actual cost beyond the detergent? This calculator helps you break down the expenses associated with washing and drying your clothes, allowing you to make more informed decisions about your energy and water usage.
Factors Influencing Laundry Costs:
Load Size: Larger loads generally consume more water and electricity.
Frequency: The more you wash, the higher your utility bills will be.
Water Cost: This varies significantly by region and your water provider.
Electricity Cost: Your local electricity rates directly impact the cost of running your washing machine and dryer.
Detergent & Supplies: The type and amount of detergent, as well as the use of fabric softeners or dryer sheets, add to the per-load expense.
Appliance Efficiency: Older or less efficient washing machines and dryers can consume more energy and water.
Drying Time & Energy: The longer clothes are in the dryer, and the higher the dryer's wattage, the more electricity it uses.
How the Calculator Works:
This calculator estimates your laundry costs by considering the following:
Washing Cost: Calculated based on the estimated water usage per load (which varies slightly by load size), the cost of water, and the electricity used by the washing machine (assuming a standard wattage for a wash cycle).
Drying Cost: Calculated based on the dryer's energy consumption (in Watts), converted to kilowatt-hours (kWh), and multiplied by your electricity cost per kWh. The time set for drying is crucial here.
Supply Cost: This includes the cost of detergent and dryer sheets per load.
Total Weekly Cost: Sums up the estimated cost of washing and drying for the number of cycles you do per week, including supply costs.
By inputting your specific local rates and typical usage patterns, you can gain a clearer picture of your laundry expenses.
Tips for Saving Money on Laundry:
Wash Full Loads: Maximize your washing machine's efficiency by waiting until you have a full load.
Use Cold Water: Heating water accounts for a significant portion of a washing machine's energy use.
Clean Your Lint Filter: A clean lint filter allows your dryer to work more efficiently, reducing drying time and energy consumption.
Air Dry When Possible: Reduce or eliminate dryer use by air-drying clothes on a line or rack.
Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances: When it's time to replace your washer or dryer, look for ENERGY STAR certified models.
function calculateLaundryCost() {
var loadSize = document.getElementById("loadSize").value;
var washCyclesPerWeek = parseFloat(document.getElementById("washCyclesPerWeek").value);
var waterCostPerGallon = parseFloat(document.getElementById("waterCostPerGallon").value);
var electricityCostPerKwh = parseFloat(document.getElementById("electricityCostPerKwh").value);
var detergentCostPerLoad = parseFloat(document.getElementById("detergentCostPerLoad").value);
var dryerSheetCostPerLoad = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dryerSheetCostPerLoad").value);
var dryerTimeMinutes = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dryerTimeMinutes").value);
var dryerEnergyConsumptionWatts = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dryerEnergyConsumptionWatts").value);
var waterUsageGallonsPerLoad;
switch (loadSize) {
case "small":
waterUsageGallonsPerLoad = 15; // Estimated gallons for a small load
break;
case "medium":
waterUsageGallonsPerLoad = 25; // Estimated gallons for a medium load
break;
case "large":
waterUsageGallonsPerLoad = 35; // Estimated gallons for a large load
break;
default:
waterUsageGallonsPerLoad = 25;
}
// Estimated electricity consumption for washing machine per load in kWh (assuming ~500W for a wash cycle)
var washCycleMinutes = 60; // Assuming average wash cycle time
var washMachineWattage = 500; // Typical wattage for a washing machine during wash cycle
var electricityUsageWashKwhPerLoad = (washMachineWattage / 1000) * (washCycleMinutes / 60);
// Calculate cost per load
var waterCostPerLoad = waterUsageGallonsPerLoad * waterCostPerGallon;
var electricityCostWashPerLoad = electricityUsageWashKwhPerLoad * electricityCostPerKwh;
// Calculate dryer electricity usage in kWh
var dryerEnergyConsumptionKwhPerMinute = dryerEnergyConsumptionWatts / 1000 / 60;
var electricityUsageDryerKwhPerLoad = dryerEnergyConsumptionKwhPerMinute * dryerTimeMinutes;
var electricityCostDryerPerLoad = electricityUsageDryerKwhPerLoad * electricityCostPerKwh;
var totalCostPerLoad = waterCostPerLoad + electricityCostWashPerLoad + electricityCostDryerPerLoad + detergentCostPerLoad + dryerSheetCostPerLoad;
var totalWeeklyCost = totalCostPerLoad * washCyclesPerWeek;
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(washCyclesPerWeek) || isNaN(waterCostPerGallon) || isNaN(electricityCostPerKwh) || isNaN(detergentCostPerLoad) || isNaN(dryerSheetCostPerLoad) || isNaN(dryerTimeMinutes) || isNaN(dryerEnergyConsumptionWatts) || washCyclesPerWeek < 0 || waterCostPerGallon < 0 || electricityCostPerKwh < 0 || detergentCostPerLoad < 0 || dryerSheetCostPerLoad < 0 || dryerTimeMinutes < 0 || dryerEnergyConsumptionWatts < 0) {
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = "Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.";
return;
}
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML =
"
Estimated Laundry Costs
" +
"Cost per Load: $" + totalCostPerLoad.toFixed(2) + "" +
"Estimated Weekly Cost: $" + totalWeeklyCost.toFixed(2) + "" +
"(Based on your inputs and average appliance usage assumptions)";
}