Laundry shop pricing is one of the hardest parts of running a laundry business in the Philippines. Price too low and you lose money on every load. Price too high and customers walk to the shop across the street.
The fix is simple: know your cost per load first, then set your rate. This guide shows you how to compute it step by step, with a sample computation you can copy for your own shop.
How much do laundry shops in the Philippines charge?
Most wash-dry-fold shops in Metro Manila charge around ₱40 to ₱65 per kilo. Many set a minimum of 3 to 8 kilos per order. Rates in BGC, Makati and other premium areas tend to run higher. Provincial shops often charge less.
There are two common ways to price:
- Per kilo. The customer pays by weight. This is fair for both sides and is the most common setup for wash-dry-fold.
- Per load. The customer pays a flat rate per machine load, usually up to 7 or 8 kilos. This is common in self-service and coin laundry shops.
Whatever you choose, your price has to cover your cost per load with room left for profit. That is why the next step matters.
How to compute your laundry shop’s cost per load
Your cost per load has two parts. Direct costs are what each load uses up. Fixed costs are what you pay every month no matter how many loads you wash.
1. Direct costs (per load)
- Detergent. Divide your case or sack price by the number of loads it washes. For example, a case of 216 sachets at one sachet per load covers 216 loads.
- Fabric conditioner. Compute it the same way. Downy is a must for most customers, especially during the rainy season when kulob smell is a common complaint.
- Electricity. Check the kWh rating of your washer and dryer, estimate the kWh per cycle, then multiply by the rate per kWh on your Meralco or electric co-op bill. Dryers use far more power than washers.
- Water. Divide your monthly water bill by the number of loads you washed that month.
- Packaging. Plastic bags, labels and tags.
2. Fixed costs (divided across your loads)
- Rent
- Staff salaries
- Business permits, internet and other bills
- Machine maintenance and repairs
Add up your fixed costs for the month. Divide the total by the number of loads you wash in a month. The result is your fixed cost per load.
3. Put it together
Cost per load = Direct costs per load + (Monthly fixed costs ÷ Loads per month)
The more loads you wash, the lower your fixed cost per load. That is why a busy shop can charge competitive rates and still earn well.
Sample computation: an 8-kilo wash-dry-fold load
In this example, the shop washes 25 loads a day, or about 750 loads a month. Its total cost comes to ₱142 per load. The figures below are samples only, so replace them with your own bills and supply prices.
| Cost item | Sample basis | Cost per load (₱) |
|---|---|---|
| Detergent | Ariel or Tide, per load | 15 |
| Fabric conditioner | Downy, per load | 8 |
| Electricity | Washer + dryer cycle | 40 |
| Water | Monthly bill ÷ loads | 6 |
| Packaging | Bag and tag | 3 |
| Rent | ₱15,000 a month ÷ 750 loads | 20 |
| Staff salaries | ₱30,000 a month ÷ 750 loads | 40 |
| Permits, internet, other bills | ₱4,500 a month ÷ 750 loads | 6 |
| Maintenance | ₱3,000 a month ÷ 750 loads | 4 |
| Total cost per load | 142 |
In this example, detergent and fabric conditioner together cost ₱23 per load. That is about 16% of the total. It is small enough that switching to a cheaper, off-brand detergent saves little. Washing results that bring customers back are worth far more.
Laundry shop pricing: how to set a profitable rate
Once you know your cost per load, pick the profit margin you want and use this formula:
Price per load = Cost per load ÷ (1 − Target margin)
Using the ₱142 sample cost:
- 30% margin: ₱142 ÷ 0.70 = about ₱203 per load
- 40% margin: ₱142 ÷ 0.60 = about ₱237 per load
- 50% margin: ₱142 ÷ 0.50 = ₱284 per load
If you charge per kilo, divide by the weight of a typical load. For example, ₱284 ÷ 8 kilos = about ₱36 per kilo.
Set a minimum weight
A 4-kilo order costs you almost the same as an 8-kilo order: one detergent dose, one wash cycle, one dry cycle. At ₱45 per kilo, 8 kilos earns you ₱360, but 4 kilos earns only ₱180. A minimum of 5 to 8 kilos protects your margin on small orders.
Charge for add-ons
Add-ons raise your average sale without adding much cost:
- Ironing or pressing
- Express or same-day service
- Pickup and delivery
- Extra fabric conditioner or premium scent
- Comforters, blankets and curtains, priced per piece
Check your prices every few months
Electricity rates, rent and supply prices change. Re-compute your cost per load at least every quarter so a rate hike doesn’t quietly eat your profit.
How to lower your supply cost per load
You can’t control your Meralco rate, but you can control how you buy and use supplies.
- Buy by the case or sack, not at retail. Buying from a distributor in bulk usually costs less per load than buying from the grocery. See our guide on laundry supplies wholesale in the Philippines.
- Choose sachets or sacks to fit your volume. Sachets give you an exact dose every time. Sacks usually cost less per load but need careful measuring. Our laundry shop supplies checklist compares both.
- Don’t overdose. Extra detergent doesn’t make clothes cleaner. It wastes product and can leave residue. Follow the dosage on the pack.
- Use detergent that works the first time. Re-washing a load means paying for detergent, water and electricity twice. A trusted brand like Ariel or Tide cuts complaints and re-washes. Not sure which one fits your shop? Read Ariel vs Tide for laundry shops.
- Stock up before you run out. An emergency run to the sari-sari store costs more per sachet than planned bulk orders.
Get genuine P&G laundry supplies at wholesale prices
Mazy’s Marketing Corporation has been an official P&G distributor in the Philippines since 2014. We supply Ariel, Tide and Downy in case packs and sacks sized for laundry shops. We have branches in Malabon (Metro Manila), Calamba (Laguna), Mexico (Pampanga) and Mandaue (Cebu).
Want to lower your cost per load? Request a quote, message us on Facebook, or call (02) 8661-3221. You can also find the branch nearest you.
Message your nearest Mazy’s branch on Viber
Get current case prices and stock from the team in your area. It’s the fastest way to reach us.
Metro Manila: ElanLaguna: SherylPampanga: JocelCebu: CristineReady to set up your service? Follow our step-by-step wash, dry and fold guide to train your staff and keep every load consistent.
Frequently asked questions
How much is laundry per kilo in the Philippines?
Most wash-dry-fold shops in Metro Manila charge around ₱40 to ₱65 per kilo, often with a minimum of 3 to 8 kilos. Premium areas tend to charge more, and provincial shops often charge less.
How do I compute the cost per load of my laundry shop?
Add your direct costs per load (detergent, fabric conditioner, electricity, water and packaging) to your monthly fixed costs divided by the number of loads you wash in a month.
How much should I charge per load?
Divide your cost per load by 1 minus your target margin. For example, a ₱142 cost per load with a 40% target margin gives a price of about ₱237 per load.
Should I charge per kilo or per load?
Per kilo is the most common setup for wash-dry-fold and feels fair to customers. Per load is simpler and common in self-service shops. If you charge per kilo, set a minimum weight to protect your margin.
Is it cheaper to buy detergent in bulk for a laundry shop?
Yes. Buying by the case or sack from a distributor usually costs less per load than buying retail. Mazy’s supplies genuine Ariel, Tide and Downy in bulk to laundry shops in Luzon and Cebu.