Whether you're island-hopping for two weeks or settling in for a long-term stay, laundry is one of those unglamorous realities that every traveller in Bali has to deal with. The good news? Bali makes it incredibly easy and affordable. The slightly less good news? There are a few pitfalls that catch first-timers off guard.
This guide covers everything: how laundry works in Bali, how much it costs, where to find services in popular areas, and how to protect your favourite clothes in the process.
How Laundry Works in Bali
Bali operates almost entirely on a kilogram-based laundry system. You drop off a bag of clothes at a laundry shop (you can practically find many on Google Maps), they weigh it, give you a price, and return it to you washed, dried, and folded — usually within 24 hours.
It's fast, cheap, and widely available. You'll find laundry shops on practically every street in tourist areas like Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud.
How Much Does Laundry Cost in Bali?
Laundry in Bali is one of the best travel bargains around. Prices generally fall into these ranges:
Standard Warung Laundry (per kg)
- Budget areas (Kuta, Legian): IDR 8,000 to 12,000 per kg (~USD 0.60 per kg)
- Mid-range areas (Canggu, Ubud): IDR 12,000 to 18,000 per kg (~USD 0.90 per kg)
- Upscale areas (Seminyak, Sanur): IDR 15,000 to 25,000 per kg (~USD 1.20 per kg)
Most laundry shops have a minimum charge of 1 to 2 kg, even if your bag is lighter.
Express or Same-Day Service
Need your clothes back quickly? Most shops offer a same-day or express service for an extra IDR 5,000 to 10,000 per kg. Drop off before noon and you'll often have clean clothes by evening.
Hotel Laundry
Hotel laundry services are dramatically more expensive, often five to ten times the price of a local shop. Unless you're in a rush or your accommodation includes laundry, it's almost always worth the short walk to a nearby laundry shop.
Types of Laundry Services in Bali
1. Local Laundry Shops
These are the most common and affordable option. Run by local families or small businesses, warung laundry shops are everywhere in tourist areas. They wash, dry, and fold your clothes, and sometimes ironing is included as well. Some even have free pick-up and delivery if your location is close enough.
Best for: Everyday clothes, t-shirts, shorts, light dresses, underwear, and socks.
2. Coin-Operated Laundromats
Self-service laundromats are still relatively rare in Bali but are growing in number, particularly in Canggu and Seminyak. They're a good option if you prefer to handle your own washing or need to launder items you don't want strangers handling.
Best for: Travellers who want control over wash temperature and cycle.
3. Hotel Laundry
Convenient but pricey. Fine for a single delicate item when you don't have time to seek out a local shop.
How to Find Laundry Services
If you are staying in high density areas such as Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, Kuta, Legian or Sanur, you'll find laundry shops throughout the main streets where there's most traffic.
What you need to do is just opening up google maps and search for "laundry" and you should see all the laundry shops near you.
Tip: Always check out the reviews and comments by other helpful travellers, they are generally trustworthy and should be considered when choosing the right laundry shop.
Tips to Protect Your Clothes
Check the minimum weight
Most shops won't accept less than 1 kg. If you only have a small load, consider waiting until you have more, or be prepared to pay the minimum anyway. Go with at least 2 kg load if possible.
Separate delicates before you drop off
Bali laundry shops do a great job on everyday clothes, but delicate fabrics like silk, linen, and embroidered pieces are best hand-washed in the sink. Some shops do offer delicate washes, but it's safer to ask explicitly.
Use an easily identifiable laundry bag
Popular shops can handle dozens of customers a day. Keep your clothes in an easily identifiable laundry bag will ensure that you'll be able to find your laundry if you lost the laundry chit.
Final Thoughts
Doing laundry in Bali is genuinely one of the easiest parts of travelling here. For just a few thousand rupiah per kilo, you can hand off a week's worth of clothes and have them back clean and folded by the next morning. Take a moment to find a shop and you'll have zero laundry stress for your entire trip.
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