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Chemical Consumption
Chemical dosage and cost per kg of fabric for any wash process.
CostNest Calculator
Washing Cost Calculator — Cost Per Piece for Garment Washing
Calculate the total washing cost per piece including labour, chemicals, water, fuel and overhead. Add profit margin to get your selling price. Built for denim and garment washing plants in Bangladesh and export-oriented units. No account needed — numbers update as you type.
Step By Step
How to Use This Calculator
4 steps
- Enter order quantity and fabric weight per piece in kg.
- Enter cost per kg of fabric for labour, chemicals, water and fuel/steam separately.
- Set overhead percentage (typically 12–20%) and desired profit margin.
- Results show cost per piece, selling price, and a visual breakdown of cost components.
Worked Example
Example — denim jeans, 0.6 kg fabric per piece
Use this sample to sanity-check your inputs and understand what the final result represents.
- 1Fabric: 0.6 kg/pc | Labour: BDT 15/kg | Chemical: BDT 20/kg
- 2Water: BDT 3/kg | Fuel/Steam: BDT 8/kg | Overhead: 15% | Profit: 10%
- 3Direct cost/kg: 15+20+3+8 = BDT 46 | Direct cost/pc: 46 × 0.6 = BDT 27.60
- 4Overhead: 27.60 × 15% = BDT 4.14 | Total: BDT 31.74
Final Result
Selling price per piece: BDT 34.91 (including 10% profit).
Methodology
Washing Cost Formula
This section explains the calculation logic, assumptions, and source material used to make the result more trustworthy and easier to verify.
Direct Cost/pc = (Labour + Chemical + Water + Fuel) per kg × Fabric kg per piece. Total Cost/pc = Direct Cost/pc × (1 + Overhead%). Selling Price = Total Cost × (1 + Profit%). Order Cost = Total Cost/pc × Quantity.
Practical Guidance
Cost control in washing plants
- 1Track chemical cost per kg of fabric daily — it is the most variable line item and the easiest to overspend when dosing by eye instead of weight.
- 2Water consumption is both a cost and a compliance metric; buyer audits and DoE checks look at litres per kg, not just your water bill.
- 3Fuel and steam often run 15–25% of washing cost in Bangladesh — an energy audit every six months usually finds savings in insulation and heat recovery.
- 4Rewash at 4–5% can add more than it looks on paper; tie rewash tracking to this calculator monthly so cost per shipped piece stays honest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average washing cost per piece in Bangladesh?+
It varies widely by wash type. A simple normal wash on knit often lands BDT 3–6 per piece. Enzyme wash runs BDT 5–9. Stone wash and heavy denim finishing can reach BDT 12–25 per piece because of higher chemical use, water, and pumice handling.
Which cost component is highest in washing?+
Chemicals and fuel/steam typically make up 50–65% of total washing cost. Labour is a smaller share (15–25%) compared to sewing. That is why dosing accuracy and boiler efficiency pay back faster than cutting helper hours alone.
How do I reduce washing cost without compromising quality?+
Start with recipe control — many plants overdose chemicals by 15–30%. Run full machine loads, shorten cycle time only after lab dips confirm shade is stable, and recycle rinse water where your ETP allows. Small gains on each line item add up on 10,000+ pieces per day.
Should I include ETP cost in washing cost?+
Yes. ETP is mandatory in Bangladesh and the cost should be allocated per cubic metre treated, then converted to per-piece cost. Leaving it out makes your wash quote look cheaper than it really is.
How does rewash affect total washing cost?+
Every 1% rewash rate adds roughly 1% to effective per-piece cost. At 5% rewash you are washing 105 pieces to ship 100. If base cost is BDT 6/piece, that 5% rewash adds about BDT 0.30 to the cost of each good piece shipped.