Laundry Expenses: Claiming of The Work Uniform Laundry Costs

Do you wear a uniform to work? 

If it falls into any of the categories that we discussed in the uniform expenses post, you can also make a claim on your tax return for the cost of laundering those uniforms. 

The way you calculate your laundry expenses will depend on your means of cleaning. We have created the following table which lists some of the possible methods for laundering your work clothes as well as how to calculate your deduction. 

Means of cleaning  

1. At home – washing eligible work clothes only $1 per load 
2. At home – washing eligible work clothes and other laundry items 50 cents per load 
3. Laundromat – washing eligible work clothes only $1 per load or total of actual expenses incurred 
4. Laundromat – washing eligible work clothes and other laundry items 50 cents per load or share of actual expenses incurred 
5. Dry Cleaning Total of actual expenses incurred 

The amounts that are listed above include the cost of washing, drying and ironing of your clothes not just, simply the washing of them. 

Some important details to remember about laundry expenses 

If you choose to use the “per load” method for your claim, we recommend you keep details of: 

• The number of times you washed your clothes during the year and,
• The types of clothes you included per load.

You must have written evidence (e.g., diary entries or receipts) if your claim for laundry is greater than $150 and your total claim for all work expenses (items D1 to D5 on the tax return) is more than $300.