In short: a visit to a self-service laundromat costs 4-12 € per wash depending on machine capacity, plus 2-4 € for drying. Some brands include detergent, others do not. In total, expect ~1 hour and 6-16 € to wash and dry a full load. The laundromat is particularly cost-effective for large loads (duvets, curtains) and when you don’t have a machine at home.
At a Glance
Wash: 4-12 € — depending on capacity (6-8 kg, 10-14 kg, 18 kg).
Drying: 2-4 € — 20-30 minutes for a full dry.
Detergent: included or ~1 € — depending on the brand.
Total time: ~1 hour — washing + drying for a full load.
Standard Price Grid by Machine Size
These ranges are estimates observed in self-service laundromats in France in 2026. Actual prices vary by city, brand, and equipment age.
| Service | Small machine (6-8 kg) | Medium (10-14 kg) | Large (18 kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wash | 4-6 € | 6-9 € | 8-12 € |
| Drying (20-30 min) | 2-4 € (per 8-15 min slot depending on machine) | ||
| Detergent | Included or 0.50-1 € (on-site dispenser) | ||
| Total full visit | 6-10 € | 8-13 € | 10-16 € |
What makes the price vary
Three main factors: the city (Paris is more expensive than a mid-sized town), the machine capacity (18 kg = pricier but more cost-effective per kilo), and included services (detergent, softener, special programmes). Compare the brands in your area — the gap can be as much as double.
Prices by City: The Differences Across France
Laundromat prices vary depending on the size of the city, commercial rent costs, and local competition. Here are the ranges observed in major French cities in 2026.
| City | Wash 6-8 kg | Wash 18 kg | Drying 10 min | Detergent included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris / Île-de-France | 5-7 € | 10-14 € | 1.50-2.50 € | Rarely |
| Lyon | 4-6 € | 9-12 € | 1.50-2 € | Varies |
| Marseille | 4-6 € | 8-11 € | 1-2 € | Varies |
| Toulouse | 4.90-5.50 € | 9.80-10 € | 1.50-2 € | Yes (Speed Queen) |
| Bordeaux / Nantes | 4-6 € | 9-12 € | 1.50-2 € | Varies |
| Mid-sized cities (<200,000 pop.) | 3.50-5 € | 7-10 € | 1-1.50 € | Varies |
Speed Queen Prices in Toulouse
At our Speed Queen laundromats, prices are transparent and detergent is always included in the wash price:
| Machine | Blagnac Andromède | Croix-Daurade |
|---|---|---|
| Washer 9 kg | 4.90 € | 5.50 € |
| Washer 11 kg | — | 7.00 € |
| Washer 18 kg | 9.80 € | 10.00 € |
| Dryer (10 min) | 1.50 € | 1.50-2.00 € |
| Detergent and softener | Included | Included |
| Loyalty card / app | Up to -20% | Up to -20% |
For full prices with all options, see our pricing page or our detailed article on laundromat prices in Toulouse.
Laundromat vs Dry Cleaner vs Home Machine: The True Annual Cost
What is the real cost of each option? Here is an honest comparison for three typical profiles: single person, couple, and family with children.
Single Person (1 wash/week)
| Item | Home machine | Laundromat | Dry cleaner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washing (52 visits/year) | 30-50 € (water + energy) | 260-360 € (5-7 €/visit) | Not applicable |
| Drying | 0-60 € (rack or dryer) | 100-200 € (2-4 €/visit) | Included |
| Detergent + softener | 30-60 € | Included or ~25 € | Included |
| Machine depreciation | 50-80 €/year (over 10 years) | 0 € | 0 € |
| Dry cleaning (10 items/year) | — | — | 50-150 € |
| Annual total | 110-250 € | 360-560 € | 500-1,500 €+ |
Couple (1.5 washes/week)
| Item | Home machine | Laundromat | Dry cleaner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washing (78 visits/year) | 45-75 € | 390-550 € | Not applicable |
| Drying + detergent + depreciation | 110-200 € | 150-300 € (drying) | — |
| Annual total | 155-275 € | 540-850 € | 1,000-3,000 €+ |
Family of 4 (3 washes/week)
| Item | Home machine | Laundromat | Dry cleaner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washing (156 visits/year) | 90-150 € | 780-1,100 € | Not applicable |
| Drying + detergent + depreciation | 180-350 € | 300-600 € | — |
| Annual total | 270-500 € | 1,080-1,700 € | Not viable |
Honest assessment: for regular use (weekly or more), the home machine is cheaper in the long run. Dry cleaning is the most expensive option in every case. The laundromat is most advantageous in the following situations:
No machine at home
Student housing, studio without plumbing, flatshare. The laundromat avoids the investment and the space taken up by a machine. For 1 to 2 visits per month, the laundromat costs 70-180 €/year.
Occasional large loads
Duvets, curtains, sheets, blankets — what a home 7 kg machine cannot handle. An 18 kg laundromat machine does in one load what would take 3-4 cycles at home.
Need for speed
1 hour to wash AND dry, versus 3-4 hours at home (wash + slow drying or rack). Practical for busy schedules.
Moving house or deep clean
When everything needs washing at once: 2-3 x 18 kg machines in parallel = an entire household's laundry in 1 hour. See our moving guide.
What Is Included and What Is Not
The price displayed on the machine does not always cover the full service. Here is what is generally included and what may be extra.
What Is Included in the Wash Price
- Water and electricity — always included, regardless of the brand
- The wash programme — the price covers a full cycle (wash + rinse + spin)
- Detergent and softener — at some brands only (this is the case at Speed Queen)
What Is Not Included
- Drying — charged separately in almost all laundromats (1 to 2 € per 10-15 minute slot)
- Detergent — in laundromats without built-in detergent, expect 0.50 to 1 € per dose from the dispenser, or bring your own. To choose wisely, see our guide which detergent to choose.
- Softener — same as detergent. Note: softener is not always necessary. See our article softener: useful or not?
- Laundry bags — if you have delicate textiles, bring your own laundry bags
- Dryer balls↗ — for down jackets and duvets, bring your own balls
Speed Queen advantage
At our laundromats, detergent and softener are always included in the displayed price. No surprises, no extras. The price you see is the price you pay for the full wash.
How to Reduce the Cost at a Laundromat
Loyalty card or app
Loyalty programmes offer 10 to 20% off. At Speed Queen, the loyalty card gives up to -20% on all washes thanks to the reload bonus (top up 20 € → receive 25 €). The app offers 2 € credit on sign-up.
Fill the machine
A half-empty machine costs the same as a full one. Wait until you have enough laundry to make the most of each visit. See our laundry weight guide to estimate the load.
Batch your washes
Do one big visit every 2 weeks rather than small weekly washes. You use one large machine instead of two small ones: more cost-effective per kilo.
Choose the right programme
Cold or 30 °C is enough for most everyday laundry. Hot programmes are rarely needed (except for sheets and towels).
Optimise drying
Spin well (maximum programme allowed by the label). The laundry comes out less wet = less time in the dryer = cheaper. See our drying guide.
Share a large machine
If you live in a flatshare or with neighbours, pool your laundry in an 18 kg machine instead of running two 9 kg machines. You split the cost in half.
Laundromat vs Home Machine: The True 10-Year Comparison
| Cost item | Home machine (10 years) | Laundromat (1 visit/week) |
|---|---|---|
| Machine purchase | 350-800 € | 0 € |
| Water + electricity | 200-400 € (over 10 years) | Included in the price |
| Detergent + softener | 300-600 € (over 10 years) | Included or marginal |
| Maintenance / repairs | 100-300 € | 0 € |
| Drying | Dryer 300-600 € + energy, or free rack | Included in the visit |
| Total over 10 years | 950-2,700 € | 3,000-5,000 € (52 visits/year × 10 years) |
For an even more detailed comparison, see our article laundromat vs home machine.
First-Year Close-Up
The first year is often the most revealing. This is when the initial investment in a home machine weighs most heavily on the budget. Here is a detailed comparison over 12 months, assuming one visit per week.
| Cost item | Home machine (1 year) | Laundromat (1 visit/week) |
|---|---|---|
| Machine purchase (depreciation) | 350-800 € (year 1) | 0 € |
| Water + electricity | 20-40 € | Included |
| Detergent + softener | 30-60 € | Included or marginal |
| Drying (dryer or rack) | 0-60 € (energy if dryer) | 100-200 € (52 × 2-4 €) |
| Year 1 total | 400-960 € | 300-500 € |
In the first year, the laundromat often works out cheaper thanks to no upfront investment. From the second year onwards, the home machine starts to become competitive if you wash every week. For people who only wash 2 to 4 times a month, the laundromat remains cost-effective over several years.
What a Laundromat Visit Actually Looks Like
If you have never set foot in a laundromat, here is a typical visit breakdown. The whole thing takes about 1 hour.
- Arrival and sorting (5 min): choose a free machine (capacities are displayed). Separate whites/colours if needed. Load up.
- Launch (2 min): select the programme (normal, delicate, cold…). Pay by contactless card or coins depending on the brand. Some laundromats dispense detergent automatically, others have a dispenser.
- Wash (25-35 min): the cycle runs. You can wait on site (most laundromats have seating) or pop out for a quick errand.
- Transfer to dryer (2 min): as soon as the cycle ends, move everything to a free dryer. Select the programme and pay.
- Drying (20-30 min): the laundry dries while you fold what is already done.
- Collection: clean, dry laundry ready to put away. No rack, no waiting.
For a more detailed guide: first time at a laundromat — the complete guide.
Laundromat vs Dry Cleaner: For Which Garments?
The laundromat and the dry cleaner do not serve the same purpose. Here is when to choose one over the other.
| Garment | Laundromat (indicative price) | Dry cleaner (indicative price) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday laundry (t-shirts, jeans, underwear) | 5-7 € (per load) | Not applicable | Laundromat |
| Shirts | ~1 € (in a load) | 3-5 € each | Laundromat |
| Suit (polyester, cotton) | 5-7 € | 15-25 € | Laundromat |
| Suit (fine wool, silk) | Not recommended | 15-25 € | Dry cleaner |
| Duvet / blanket | 10-16 € | 20-35 € | Laundromat |
| Down jacket | 14-16 € | 15-25 € | Laundromat |
| Evening dress, silk | Not recommended | 15-30 € | Dry cleaner |
For a full comparison, see our laundromat vs dry cleaner guide.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Under-loading the machine — you pay the same price for 3 kg as for 8 kg. Fill it properly.
- Forgetting the drying cost — washing alone does not give you ready-to-wear laundry. Factor drying into your budget.
- Not checking if detergent is included — some laundromats do not include detergent. Check before loading to avoid buying a dose on site.
- Comparing only the wash price — the true cost is wash + drying + detergent + travel. Compare the full cost of a visit.
- Ignoring loyalty programmes — 20% off means 1-2 € per visit, i.e. 50-100 €/year for regular use.
As an Amazon Partner, we earn a small commission on purchases made through the affiliate links in this article — at no extra cost to you. This helps us maintain this website and produce free guides.
Our Speed Queen laundromats in Blagnac, Croix-Daurade and Montaudran include detergent and softener in the price. 9 and 18 kg machines, everything washed and dried in ~1 hour. Payment CB sans contact ou espèces. See our detailed prices or prices in Toulouse.
Sources and References
- Price ranges based on displayed prices at self-service laundromats in France (field survey, public data from brands, March 2026)
- Laundromat prices in Toulouse 2026: detailed rates
- Laundromat vs home machine
- Laundromat vs dry cleaner: full comparison
- First time at a laundromat: complete guide
- Laundry weight per garment
- How to wash a duvet (18 kg machine)
- Which detergent to choose?