Add up what one cycle costs you in water and sewer, water heating, electricity and a repair set-aside, then subtract that from the vend price. In ProfitDrawer's laundromat guide, a large front load washer uses 25 gallons at $0.015 a gallon ($0.38), plus $0.30 for hot water, $0.07 of electricity and $0.40 for repairs: $1.15 a cycle. At $5.00, each cycle leaves $3.85 toward rent, staff and profit.
The guide's example cycle (use your own utility rates):
| Cost per cycle | Amount |
|---|---|
| Water and sewer: 25 gallons x $0.015 | $0.38 |
| Hot water heating | $0.30 |
| Electricity for the machine | $0.07 |
| Repairs and parts set aside | $0.40 |
| Total cost per cycle | $1.15 |
| Price | $5.00 |
| Left per cycle | $3.85 |
That $3.85 is not profit yet. It has to cover rent, staff, insurance and other fixed costs first.
Then check the month: in the guide's example, 1,800 wash cycles at $5.00 and 1,600 dryer cycles at $2.00 make $12,200 in sales. Rent $3,500, utilities $3,000, repairs $600, staff $2,000 and insurance and other $700 total $9,800, leaving $2,400 before taxes.
To get your own numbers:
- Read gallons per cycle from the machine specs.
- Use the water, sewer, gas and electric rates on your own bills.
- Set aside a repair amount per cycle from past repair receipts.
- Compare water use with wash sales each month; a big gap can point to a leak or a sales problem.
Source: How to Start a Laundromat Business (ProfitDrawer guide) · Updated
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General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Check the rules for your state and your situation.