Washing Machine vs. Laundry Mat

loola_lou

Hi all,

wondering if anyone knows the cost of running a washing machine versus visiting the laundry mat. I have a friend who is probably spending £10 a week on laundry at the laundry mat, more if she needs to wash big things, and has another baby on the way.
She can't afford a fancy washing machine, but we are wondering if even with a basic one she would save very much having a washing machine at home if she can manage to get one.

Any thoughts?

angelavdavis

I was always under the impression that running a washing machine costed on average 50-80p per wash depending on temperature and time of cycle.

I don't know how many washes your friend does, and the machines used will be larger capacity, but I would have thought it would be cheaper to buy a machine.

Others on here will certainly have thoughts too...

Fire_Fox

It's not a washing machine that is expensive to run (unless you do a lot of hot washes), it's the tumble dryer. I recommend a basic washing machine (try Freecycle) and a couple of really decent upright airers like this http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/80119043

We do two to three loads of laundry a week, and our entire electric bill is £30 a month ish - that's heating, lighting, cooking, hot water, the lot.

frogglet

As already said, I would have thought it would be cheaper to buy a cheap machine and run it at a cool temperature. along with the time saved in going to the launderette, especially if you have two children to take as well.

loola_lou

thanks for these thoughts
i'll pass them on!

ashcarrot

Are we talking about just the electric or washing powder as well etc (I'd assume washing powder would be a constant for either the laundry mat (bring your own) and @ home)

When you buy a washing machine it gives you the electrical consumtion on a label on the front, in my example Hotpoint it uses 1.14 units based on purely washing. @14p a unit thats 17p ish a wash. + any costs of water if your metered. If she needs to use a dryer these generally consume 3.4 (efficient vented) to 4.5 units (condenser) which is 47p -> 63p per cycle (obviously if she can dry it on a line etc then she can eliminate that cost). .

On a non money note, is she gonna be wanting to go to the laundry mat that often with 1/2 kids?