In this guide
A laundry collection service like ours costs £4.99 per kg for wash and fold, so a 6kg bag (about a week of clothes for one person) comes to around £30, collected from your door and brought back folded for free. A laundrette is usually cheaper in cash, but you pay for it in time: the trip there, the wash, the dry and the trip home.
Which one makes sense depends on how you value your time. Here's a fair comparison.
The cost
Laundrette. You pay per machine, once for the washer and again for the dryer, plus detergent if you don't bring your own. Prices vary from shop to shop and by machine size, so check your local laundrette's price board. If you drive, add parking.
Laundry collection. You pay by weight, and the price includes washing, drying and folding.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard wash and fold (6kg or more) | £4.99 per kg |
| Premium wash and fold (6kg or more) | £6.65 per kg |
| Small load (under 6kg) | £6.95 per kg |
| Collection and delivery | Free (£25 minimum order) |
So for a single load, the laundrette will often cost less in coins. The gap narrows once you count travel, parking and the hours you spend there.
The time
Laundrette. You carry the bags there, load the machines and wait through the wash. Then you move everything to a dryer and wait again. Then you fold it, or carry it home and fold it there. Most people stay with their washing the whole time, because leaving it in a public machine isn't ideal.
Laundry collection. You fill a bag and hand it over at your door. That's it. We collect Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm, and Saturday, 9am to 5:30pm, and bring it back folded and wrapped. Our standard turnaround is 48 hours, or 24 hours at no extra cost if you choose it.
The effort
A laundrette means carrying wet or heavy bags, finding a free machine and folding everything yourself. If you don't drive, a big load can be a real job.
With a collection service, we split every bag into lights and darks and wash each load separately, so colours are less likely to run. Everything is washed at 30°C (or 60°C if you ask), tumble dried and folded. Ironing isn't included, but you can add it.
When a laundrette makes sense
To be fair, a laundrette is a good choice if:
You have a small, one-off load and want it done today.
You enjoy the trip or have something to do while you wait.
Money is tight and your time is less pressed than your budget.
You need a big machine for one item, such as a large rug or a duvet, and are happy to do it yourself.
When collection makes more sense
A collection service tends to win if:
Your evenings and weekends are busy and you'd rather not spend a couple of hours in a laundrette.
You have a week or more of laundry, so you're past the 6kg minimum anyway.
You also have dry cleaning, ironing or bedding. It all goes in the same collection, in separate bags, and is delivered back together.
You don't drive, or the nearest laundrette is a walk away.
We cover 39 areas across South West London and Surrey, from Kingston, Wimbledon and Putney to Epsom, Weybridge and Guildford. You can check yours on our service areas page.
FAQs
Is a laundry collection service more expensive than a laundrette?
In cash, usually a little, yes. Our wash and fold is £4.99 per kg, with free collection and delivery. The difference is the time you save.
Do you iron wash and fold laundry?
No, it's washed, dried and folded. You can add our ironing service for anything you want pressed.
What's the minimum order?
£25 per order, with free collection and delivery. A 6kg wash and fold bag is about £30.
Can I send duvets in my wash and fold bag?
No. Duvets are cleaned and priced per item, from £28 for a single.
If you'd like to swap the laundrette trip for a doorstep collection, you can book a free collection whenever it suits you.
