Is It Cheaper to Do Laundry at Night?

Everyone · Explainer · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What Does “Cheaper Laundry at Night” Mean?

When people say laundry is cheaper at night, they mean the cost to run your washing machine and dryer is lower during certain hours because of how electricity pricing works. Utility companies often charge different rates depending on the time of day. These “time-of-use” (TOU) rates set higher prices during daytime and evening peak hours when many people use electricity. At night, when fewer people are using power, rates drop to encourage shifting energy use to these off-peak hours.

For example, if your electricity provider charges 20 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) during peak hours but only 10 cents at night, doing laundry after 9 p.m. could halve the electricity cost for your loads. This matters most if you have an electric dryer, which draws significant power to produce heat, or if you run laundry multiple times a week.

If you have a flat-rate plan without TOU pricing, meaning you pay the same rate all day, the time you do laundry won’t affect your cost. In that case, choosing when to do laundry is more about convenience or noise considerations than saving money.

Understanding your local utility’s rate structure is the first step in knowing if nighttime laundry can save you money.

How Do Time-of-Use Rates Work for Laundry? A Clear Example

Time-of-use rates divide the day into periods like peak, mid-peak, and off-peak, each with different prices per kWh. Peak hours are often late afternoon to early evening when demand is highest. Off-peak usually covers late evening to early morning hours.

Let’s say your provider has this schedule and rates:

If your washing machine uses about 0.5 kWh per load and your electric dryer uses 3 kWh, the cost to run both during peak hours is:

(0.5 + 3) kWh × $0.20 = $0.70 per load

During off-peak hours, the cost is:

(0.5 + 3) kWh × $0.10 = $0.35 per load

This example shows a potential 50% savings per laundry load by doing it at night. Over four loads a week, you could save about $1.40 weekly, adding up to over $70 annually. While these numbers vary by location and appliance, timing can significantly affect your electricity bill.

If your dryer uses gas, the savings from TOU rates might be lower since gas costs usually don’t fluctuate by time of day. For electric dryers, shifting drying to off-peak hours yields the best savings.

Why Should You Care About Doing Laundry at Night?

Electricity bills can be a major household expense. Even small savings per load accumulate over months and years. By adjusting your laundry schedule, you can reduce your monthly utility bills without changing how often or how much laundry you do.

Beyond saving money, doing laundry at night may also help reduce strain on the power grid. Utilities encourage off-peak energy use to prevent blackouts and reduce the need for expensive, polluting power plants that operate only during peak demand.

If you live in a shared building like an apartment or dorm, laundry machines may be less crowded at night, giving you easier access. However, be mindful of noise levels—doing laundry late at night might disturb others or violate building policies.

Finally, if you’re managing a busy schedule, knowing when electricity is cheapest can help balance convenience with cost savings.

What Common Misconceptions Should You Avoid About Laundry Costs?

Several misunderstandings surround laundry timing and costs:

• Laundry is always cheaper at night: This is only true if your utility offers TOU rates. If you pay a flat rate, timing doesn’t matter for cost.
• Cold water washes don’t impact cost: Water heating uses significant energy, so cold-water cycles save money regardless of time.
• Gas dryers have the same cost pattern as electric dryers: Gas costs usually don’t vary by time of day, so gas dryer timing has less effect on cost.
• All machines use the same energy: Newer washers and dryers often have energy-saving modes or sensors that reduce usage, affecting cost.
• Laundry uses only electricity: Don’t forget water rates and detergent costs also contribute, but water rates rarely change by time of day.

Understanding these points helps avoid wasting effort on timing laundry when it won’t save money.

How to Find the Cheapest Time to Do Laundry in Your Home?

To discover the best time for cheap laundry, follow these steps:

1. Review your utility bill: Look for rate information or visit the utility company’s website. Search for terms like “time-of-use rates” or “off-peak hours.”
2. Identify off-peak hours: These are often late evening to early morning but can vary by location and season.
3. Compare rates: Find the cost per kWh during peak and off-peak times to estimate potential savings.
4. Check your appliances: Know if your dryer is electric or gas, and check energy labels for efficiency.
5. Consider your schedule: Choose times that fit your lifestyle and noise tolerance.
6. Use technology: Many modern washers and dryers allow delayed start times. You can program them to run during off-peak hours even if you’re asleep.
7. Set reminders or timers: If your machines lack delayed start, use smart plugs or timers to control when they run.

If your utility offers flat rates, timing won’t affect your cost, so focus on other ways to save energy.

Should You Always Do Laundry at Night?

Doing laundry at night can save money but isn’t always practical or preferable. Consider these factors before shifting your laundry routine:

• Noise concerns: Washing machines and dryers generate noise that might disturb family, roommates, or neighbors during late-night hours.
• Safety: If you use a laundromat or shared laundry room, nighttime visits might feel less safe or have fewer attendants.
• Building rules: Some apartments limit laundry hours to reduce noise complaints.
• Urgency: If you need clean clothes quickly, waiting to run laundry at night may not be convenient.
• Personal routine: You might prefer to do laundry during the day for daylight or to fold clothes immediately.

Balancing cost savings with your home environment and lifestyle is key. For example, run laundry late evening instead of midnight to reduce disturbance, or batch laundry to fewer days a week for more efficient use.

What Other Laundry Money-Saving Tips Can You Use?

Besides timing, here are practical ways to reduce laundry expenses:

• Wash full loads: Running partial loads wastes water and energy. Wait to fill the machine before starting.
• Use cold water settings: Heating water costs energy. Most clothes clean well in cold water, saving money.
• Clean lint filters: Regularly clean your dryer's lint trap to improve airflow and efficiency.
• Air dry clothes: When possible, air dry to save dryer energy.
• Choose energy-efficient appliances: Machines with ENERGY STAR labels use less electricity and water.
• Use high-efficiency detergents: Some detergents optimize cleaning in cold water, reducing the need for hot cycles.
• Avoid extra rinses: Only use extra rinse cycles when necessary.
• Maintain appliances: Regular maintenance keeps machines running efficiently, reducing energy use.

By combining these habits with off-peak laundry times, you can maximize savings. For more on when to do laundry and how often, see our guides on best times to do laundry and laundry frequency tips.

Frequently asked questions

Does using a gas dryer save money compared to an electric dryer?

Gas dryers often cost less to operate because natural gas prices can be lower than electricity. However, savings depend on local utility costs and appliance efficiency. Gas dryer costs don’t usually vary by time of day, so timing laundry won’t affect gas costs much.

How can I reduce noise when doing laundry at night?

Use quieter wash and dry cycles if your machine offers them, place machines on vibration-absorbing mats, close doors to laundry rooms, and avoid running machines during very late hours if noise is a concern.

Can I save money by doing laundry on weekends instead of weekdays?

It depends on your utility’s TOU rates. Some utilities have weekend rates that are lower all day, making laundry cheaper on weekends. Check your provider’s rate schedule or read about [laundry on weekends](#r1) for more.

Is it better to do laundry once a week or multiple times a week?

Doing laundry once a week with full loads tends to save water and energy compared to many small loads. However, spreading loads out can be more convenient. See our article on [laundry frequency tips](#r4) for balancing efficiency and convenience.

What if I don’t have a timer or delayed start on my machines?

Consider using smart plugs with timers to control when machines run, or manually start laundry during off-peak hours if possible.

How can I find out if my utility has time-of-use rates?

Look at your utility bill, visit their website, or call customer service. They can explain if TOU plans exist and how to enroll.