Should you process laundry in-house or outsource? Enter your volumes and costs to see a full cost-per-pound breakdown and find your breakeven point.
Total laundry weight processed
Typically $0.004-$0.008
For heating water & drying
Per washer load
Wash + dry per load
Detergent, softener, bleach
Current or quoted price
In-House Cost
$0.247/lb
$135,165/year
Outsourced Cost
$0.850/lb
$465,375/year
Annual Savings
$330,210
$0.603/lb saved
Equipment Investment
$180,000
Washers, dryers, folders
Breakeven Volume
235 lbs/day
You exceed breakeven
Staff Needed
2
Laundry workers
| Category | Per Pound | Annual | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor | $0.120 | $65,700 | 49% |
| Water | $0.018 | $9,855 | 7% |
| Gas / Energy | $0.036 | $19,710 | 15% |
| Chemicals | $0.040 | $21,900 | 16% |
| Equipment Depreciation | $0.033 | $18,000 | 13% |
| Total | $0.247 | $135,165 | 100% |
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Hotels, hospitals, and large facilities process thousands of pounds of laundry per day. Outsourcing typically costs $0.60-$1.20/lb, while in-house processing can cost $0.35-$0.75/lb — but requires significant upfront equipment investment ($100K-$500K+).
| Facility Type | Lbs/Day Typical | Outsourced Cost | In-House Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel (200 rooms) | 1,500-2,500 | $0.80-$1.10/lb | $0.40-$0.60/lb |
| Hospital (200 beds) | 3,000-5,000 | $0.70-$1.00/lb | $0.35-$0.55/lb |
| Nursing Home (100 beds) | 500-1,000 | $0.75-$1.05/lb | $0.45-$0.70/lb |
| Restaurant/Linen Service | 200-800 | $0.85-$1.20/lb | $0.50-$0.75/lb |
In-house laundry requires dedicated space (typically 1,500-3,000 sq ft), plumbing and gas infrastructure, and trained staff. The breakeven point depends heavily on daily volume — facilities under 500 lbs/day rarely justify in-house processing.