The Hidden Price Tag of In-House Laundry in Los Angeles

Most LA business owners underestimate the true cost of handling laundry in-house. Here's what you're actually spending:

Direct Labor Costs

• Laundry staff wages: $18-22/hour in LA 
• Payroll taxes and workers' comp (hotels pay some of CA's highest rates)
• Employee benefits required under California law
• Training and supervision time
• Coverage for sick days and vacations

Reality check: That "$18/hour" laundry attendant actually costs you $25-30/hour when you factor in California's mandatory expenses.

Utilities - California's Premium Rates

• Water: LA's water rates run 30% higher than the national average. Commercial laundry uses 30-50 gallons per load.
• Gas/Electric: Dryers run constantly during peak hours, driving up energy bills
• Sewer charges: Often overlooked but based on water usage
• Rate increases: California utility costs keep climbing, especially during drought conditions

Typical monthly utility costs for commercial laundry: $800-$2,000+ depending on volume

Supplies & Detergents

• Commercial-grade detergents and fabric softeners
• Bleach and stain removers
• Dryer sheets and finishing products
• Replacement linens (towels, sheets wear out faster with frequent washing)

Monthly supply costs: $300-800 for most businesses

Equipment Maintenance & Repairs

• Routine maintenance: Filters, belts, hoses, lint traps
• Emergency repairs: Machines always break at the worst possible time
• Plumbing issues: Drain clogs, pipe leaks, water damage
• HVAC strain: Laundry rooms generate heat and humidity
• Service contracts: If you're smart enough to have one

Annual maintenance budget: $3,000-7,000 minimum, plus emergency repair costs that always seem to hit during your busiest week

Equipment Investment & Depreciation

• Initial purchase: $25,000-$75,000 for commercial-grade washers and dryers
• Installation costs: Plumbing, electrical, venting modifications
• Equipment lifespan: 7-10 years with heavy commercial use
• Replacement cycle: You're constantly budgeting for the next equipment upgrade

Real Estate Costs - Your Most Expensive Hidden Cost

That 300-500 square foot laundry room isn't free:

• Commercial rent: $3-5 per square foot monthly in LA
• Lost revenue opportunity: Space that could be generating income (hotel rooms, treatment rooms, dining space)
• Climate control: Heating and cooling a hot, humid laundry room

Monthly real estate cost: $900-$2,500 for space that only creates an operational expense

Time & Administrative Overhead

• Manager time dealing with equipment issues
• Scheduling and managing laundry staff
• Inventory tracking and linen replacement
• Vendor management for supplies and repairs
• Water damage or emergency situations

The hidden cost: Your management time that should be focused on revenue-generating activities and customer experience.

The Real Total

For a typical 50-room hotel doing in-house laundry:

• Labor: $75,000+/year
• Utilities: $12,000-18,000/year
• Supplies: $3,600-9,600/year
• Maintenance: $3,000-7,000/year
• Equipment depreciation: $3,500-7,500/year
• Real estate: $14,400-24,000/year

Total annual cost: $111,500-$141,100

Compare that to WonderWash professional service at $1.50-$2.50/lb.

Your savings: $31,500-$61,100 per year - and that's before factoring in the value of your time, elimination of equipment emergencies, and staff freed up to focus on guests.