Introduction
Gone are the days when a laundromat or the laundry room in your apartment complex were the only options for washing clothes if you did not have a washing machine at home. Today, you can access a cleaning service through the web or an app.
Laundry services have made washing clothes a breeze, especially since they also offer pickup and drop-off services. All you have to do is pack your dirty laundry and hand it to them.
More importantly, the service will be proficient in treating different types of fabrics and will make sure that all your items are washed according to their instructions. They're also familiar with dryer settings, proper use of fabric softener, washer settings, laundry machine modes, and everything else that comes with washing clothes.
With the rising demand for laundry services, people are increasingly curious about how much it costs. Let's take a look at prices and factors that can affect them.
How Much Does Laundry Service Really Cost?
There's a common misconception that using a laundry service is only for the rich. That's not true – it can be an occasional indulgence for pretty much everyone or used for emergencies.
So, how much does laundry service cost? In most areas, you will pay about $1.50 per pound of laundry. A typical laundry load will be between 10 to 20 pounds, bringing the total cost per load to range from $15 to $30.
If you live alone, you should expect to have at least one load of laundry a week, sometimes two – you can expect to pay about $60 to $120 per month.
For a family of three or four, this could increase to $200 or $300, depending on the frequency of use and the weight of the loads.
Some additional factors that affect the cost are:
- Location: Some geographies tend to be more expensive than others. If the cost of living is high in your area, expect to pay more for laundry service. Examples of such regions include large cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
- Service Type: Are you dropping off the laundry? Or is someone coming to pick it up? The latter will of course cost more since it includes delivery service.
- Additional Services: Most laundry services don't merely limit themselves to washing clothes. They also offer other services like drying, ironing, folding, and deodorizing. The cost will be higher if you include these services.
Cost of Doing Laundry At Home Or a Laundromat
So how does this compare to doing laundry the old-fashioned way? Doing laundry at home will cost you about $2 to $3 per load, mostly for the laundry detergent. At this price, you might do two loads a week, resulting in a monthly spend of $16 to $24.
That's much cheaper than using a laundry service. However, keep in mind that you have to pay the upfront cost of buying a washing machine and a dryer. Plus, this pricing does not include the cost of water and electricity you will be using.
Washing clothes at a laundromat can offer more flexibility than laundry service or in-home laundry. You can wash and dry multiple loads at the same time. At an average cost of $3 to $5 per load, you will spend $24 to $40 per month if you do two loads of laundry a week.
You can save a significant amount of money by doing laundry at home or a laundromat. However, it requires effort and time, which you may not have to spare. Also, the initial purchase and upkeep of washers and dryers should not be overlooked.
So, it truly is okay to treat yourself to a fresh load of laundry from a professional service every once in a while. At the very least, it will give you an extra two hours a day to spend on things you enjoy, rather than washing clothes.
Using Laundry Services Efficiently
We've already established that laundry services can be more expensive than traditional methods of cleaning your clothes. However, you can still take advantage of the convenience and quality of the service while being efficient. Here are some tips:
Optimize Your Loads
What do we mean by this? Simply put, try to get the most out of each wash and dry cycle. Don't just put in a few items for a load. Try to fit as many clothes as you can in the laundry bag provided by the service.
However, don't go overboard. If something is just a little dirty, you can just soak it with detergent and warm water to scrub it clean at home. Leave the soiled and heavily stained items for the wash and fold service.
Choose The Right Service
Do your research and find a laundry service that offers quality at the best prices. Check out reviews online to see what other customers have experienced with the services before making any commitments.
Look For Promotions And Deals
Most laundry services offer promotions to new and existing customers. Deals and discounts are also available quite frequently, so make sure to look out for them.
They can help you save a lot on your laundry bills, especially during the holiday season. For instance, Rinse gives you $20 off your first order. It's an excellent way to start trying out our service and experience the convenience for yourself.
Avoid Getting Additional Services
We know ironing is a bore, but what if you play your favorite playlist or podcast while going through the batch? The more services you get from a laundry service, the higher the bill will be.
So, if you can do something yourself, skip getting it done by professionals and save money in the process.
Why Choose a Laundry Wash and Fold Service
Traditional laundry methods may save money, but they come with a hassle and time tradeoff. A laundry wash and fold service can take this tedious task off your hands and give you more time to focus on other important things.
Outsourcing your chores is not only a form of self-care but also ensures that those activities will be done by professionals who are experts at what they do.
Professional laundering is also beneficial for those who are not confident in their laundering skills or don't have access to heavy-duty laundry machines. For instance, Michelle M., a Chicago resident who uses Rinse's laundry service, remarks that she loves how all clothes come packed properly: ''Towels in one pack, socks and underwear in another pack''.
Whether it's dry cleaning or launder-press, a professional touch can make all the difference in how your clothes look and feel. You no longer have to worry about missing a dryer sheet, running out of fabric softener, dealing with a malfunctioning dryer, or struggling to clean dirty laundry after a camping trip.
With Rinse, you can sit at home and relax while a Valet comes to pick up, launder, press, and deliver your clothes at your convenience.
Schedule your first pickup today!
