Is it really cheaper to dry clothes at home?

On paper, yes—if you’ve already got a clothes dryer and you're not fussed about time or weather. But in real life? It’s not always that clear cut.

Here’s what you’re actually paying for when drying at home:

Electricity costs: Standard vented dryers use around 3–4 kWh per load. With Australian electricity rates averaging about 30–40 cents per kWh, you’re looking at roughly $1.20 to $1.60 per cycle.
Upfront investment: A decent dryer can set you back anywhere from $500 to $1,500. And if it’s a heat pump dryer (more energy efficient), expect the higher end.
Maintenance: Lint filter cleaning, occasional servicing, and electricity usage over time all add up.
Time: A full load can take 60–90 minutes—longer for heavier fabrics or in humid weather.
Weather risk: Air drying isn’t always an option, especially in colder or rainy months.

Anyone who’s tried drying jeans in a chilly Melbourne winter knows the pain.

What does it cost to dry clothes at a laundromat?

Laundromat dryers are commercial grade—they work faster, hold more, and often run hotter than your home setup.

Typical laundromat drying costs in Australia:

$1–$2 per 6–10 minutes, depending on location and machine size.
$4–$6 total per load for a medium-size wash, depending on how damp the clothes are and how efficiently you load them.

If you time it well (say, off-peak hours when machines aren’t overloaded), you can often dry a full load in under 30 minutes. That’s faster than most home dryers and perfect if you're doing multiple loads in one go.

What are the hidden costs (and savings) of both options?

Here’s where things get interesting—and often overlooked.

Cost Factor	Home Drying	Laundromat Drying
Per-Load Cost	~$1.20–$1.60 (electricity only)	~$4–$6
Machine Cost	$500–$1,500 (one-off)	$0
Time Per Load	60–90 mins	20–30 mins
Batch Laundry Efficiency	Limited by machine size	High – multiple loads simultaneously
Environmental Control Needed	Yes (dry weather or covered drying space)	No – all weather ready
Maintenance Responsibility	Yours	None

From a strictly per-load cost, home wins—but factor in convenience, weather reliability, and machine depreciation, and laundromats start to hold their own.