CHICAGO — Get ready to dig deeper at the laundromat this year: prices may be going up at your neighborhood laundromat.
Some 63 percent of laundromat owners queried in a national survey by Chicago-based American Coin-Op say they intend to raise prices this year, if they haven't already, for washing machines.
About 27 percent said they have no plans to raise prices and another 9.6 percent say they are undecided.
Higher utility costs, especially water, were cited by some of those who said they were going to raise prices. Others said the increases reflect new equipment, which can cost thousands of dollars.
For top loaders, prices nationally generally ranged from $2 to $3 per load. Front loaders were $2.50 to $3 for washing machines 18 to 25 pounds, the survey said.
No figures were given on expected increases.
Better news on the dryer front: 71 percent said prices will remain the same this year.
