What one machine wash costs

Sep 20, 2026

Short answer: A wash at thirty degrees uses about half a kilowatt hour and fifty litres of water. That comes to under two kroner per load including water, and the biggest cost is actually the detergent, not the electricity.

Electricity is the smallest cost

At thirty degrees, about half a kilowatt hour is used, roughly one krone. Most of the power goes into heating the water, which is why the price rises with temperature. The drum and spin use far less. That is true whether you wash a single bamboo slip or a full load.

Water costs too

Fifty litres cost about fifty øre including drainage. Water use depends mostly on the machine and programme, not on how much clothing is in the drum. An extra rinse uses more water and nudges the price up a little. It is the same whatever from the women's range is in the machine.

Detergent is the biggest cost

A dose usually costs one to two kroner, which is more than electricity and water combined. Many people use more than needed, because the dose on the pack is set for heavily soiled clothes. Halve the dose when washing a bamboo sweatshirt for women and other lightly worn clothes. The biggest cost drops straight away.

Temperature drives the power cost

The warmer the wash, the more electricity. A wash at sixty degrees costs roughly twice as much in power as one at thirty. For everyday clothes that are only lightly worn, thirty degrees is usually enough. Hotter washes make sense for towels and bedding, but rarely for clothes worn for a single day.

Fill the machine

A full load costs the same as a half one, since power, water and time are almost identical. So wait until you have enough for a full load before you start. That halves the price per item. Just do not overfill the drum, so the clothes can move freely and come out clean.

The dryer costs more than the wash

If you have a tumble dryer, it often uses more power than the wash itself. Drying on a rack or a line costs nothing and is gentler on elastic and fabric. Bamboo clothing is light and dries fairly quickly. Hang it up right after washing, and it creases less and rarely needs ironing.

Gentle washing extends lifespan

The biggest saving is not in each wash but in how long your clothes last. Low temperatures, a mild dose and air drying put less strain on the fabric. Then you buy new less often. Over a year that matters more to your budget than the few kroner saved per load.

Do the sum for your own week

Count how many loads you run a week and multiply by the price per wash. Add detergent and any tumble drying. Then you have a realistic picture of what laundry costs you. Many are surprised to find that detergent and drying weigh most, not the power for the wash itself.