If you're using a wash & fold or laundry delivery service, you pay by the pound, so it helps to know roughly what your laundry weighs. Here's a quick guide.
How Many Pounds Is a Load of Laundry?
A typical home washer load is roughly 8 to 12 pounds of dry clothes, depending on the machine size and what's in it. A full laundry basket is usually around 15 to 20 pounds.
Typical Weights of Common Items
These are rough averages for dry items. Your clothes may be heavier or lighter.
| Item | Approximate weight |
|---|---|
| T-shirt | 0.3–0.5 lb |
| Pair of jeans | 1.5–2 lb |
| Hoodie or sweatshirt | 1–1.5 lb |
| Bath towel | 1–1.5 lb |
| Set of queen sheets | 2–3 lb |
| Pair of socks | 0.1 lb |
| Pyjamas (set) | 0.5–1 lb |
How Much Laundry Does One Person Make a Week?
Most adults produce somewhere around 10 to 15 pounds of laundry a week, more if you include towels, bedding or gym clothes. A family of four can easily reach 40 pounds or more a week.
How to Weigh Your Laundry at Home
The easiest method uses a bathroom scale:
- Weigh yourself.
- Weigh yourself holding the laundry bag.
- Subtract the first number from the second.
What That Means for Your Bill
At The Laundry Centre in North York:
- Drop-off wash & fold: $1.65/lb, 20 lb minimum. A 20 lb bag is $33.00.
- Pickup & delivery: $1.95/lb, 35 lb minimum. A 35 lb order is $68.25.
Tip: if you're under the minimum, wait a few more days or add towels and sheets so you get full value. Bulky items like comforters are priced per item instead of by weight. See our pricing page.
Read next: How Much Does Wash and Fold Cost in Toronto?
