For renters without in-unit laundry, washing clothes can feel less like a basic chore and more like a recurring expense that keeps getting harder to afford.
One apartment resident said the math has gotten so frustrating that hand-washing clothes is starting to feel like the only realistic alternative.
Here's what to know
Writing in a post to Reddit's r/PovertyFinance community, the original poster said: "Can we talk about how expensive laundromats have gotten?... If I could buy a washer and dryer, I would. But unfortunately, I live in an apartment. I'm going to start washing most of my clothes by hand."
The thread quickly drew hundreds of comments, many from people sharing the same frustration, offering low-cost workarounds, or pointing to the value of places with free laundry.
Free access through work was one idea raised. One commenter wrote: "Partly why I haven't left my hotel job. Every Tuesday when there's no night laundry crew I bring in all mine and (it's an open) secretly do it."
"I have laundry in the basement of my building but it costs almost $5 a load," another said.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
More background
For renters, the problem goes beyond what laundromats charge. Owning a washer and dryer might be cheaper over time, but many apartment residents lack the hookups, the room, or permission from a landlord to install them.
That can make laundry costly in both money and time. A single trip may involve coins, payment cards, transportation, weird apps, or long waits, and those burdens can grow faster for larger households.
Some readers pointed to makeshift alternatives. One Reddit user wrote: "When I lived in an apartment, I bought a small manual washer and just stuck it in the shower when I needed to do loads so I didn't have to pay for the laundromat. I saved a lot of money tbh, and it sucked a little less than fully hand washing everything."
But clearly, those options do not work for everyone. Another commenter said portable washers are banned in their building, leaving renters stuck between higher costs and apartment rules.
Where leases allow them, commenters said small manual or portable washers can handle lighter clothing such as shirts, underwear, and workout gear, reducing what has to be taken to a laundromat.
Indoor air-drying setups were also mentioned as a way to skip paying for every dryer cycle, especially on smaller loads.
Where can I learn more?
The complaints in this thread go beyond laundromat prices alone. These articles cover eviction fights over laundry access, apartment rules on line-drying, and a few habits or standards that can change what households spend.
• In California, tenants doing their laundry prompted a landmark bill after eviction attempts.
• Across the U.S., new laundry efficiency standards are projected to lower household costs by 2028.
• Laundry experts say cleaning clothes in cold water can cut costs without hurting results.
These articles show how much laundry costs can hinge on building rules, access, and everyday habits alongside the price of a machine. For renters already considering hand-washing, every load can start to feel like a budget decision.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
