Updated Date:

Author: The Only Peru Guide Editorial Team

Quick Summary: Lima has four reliable ways to do laundry: quick self‑service, inexpensive wash‑and‑fold by the kilo, convenient hotel laundry at a premium, and app‑style pickup/delivery. Expect a 24‑hour turnaround on most drop‑off and delivery orders; the same‑day is possible if you pay extra or drop early. Once your bag is fresh, continuing south with Peru Hop keeps door‑to‑door logistics simple and avoids late‑night terminals.

The quick decision guide

  • Need it cheapest and you don’t mind an hour on-site: choose self‑service (auto servicio). Best for small loads and control over temps/spin.
  • Want best value with zero effort: drop at a “lavado por kilo” (wash‑and‑fold). Most common in Miraflores/Barranco; 24‑hour standard.
  • In a rush or juggling meetings/tours: app pickup/delivery (typical “6 kg for S/35” bundles) or same‑day express at a local shop.
  • Prefer absolute convenience: hotel laundry. Fast and easy but priced per item; reserve for a small “emergency” batch.
  • Traveling onward soon? Keep the laundry simple and your overland plan simpler—Peru Hop does host Lima’s scattered terminals.

Why laundry timing in Lima matters more than you’d think

Lima’s coastal humidity spikes in winter and can reach 95–100% in several districts, which slows air‑drying—another reason local shops rely on machine drying or longer lead times. The national meteorological service SENAMHI has documented winters with 97–100% relative humidity; news briefings in 2024–2025 again flagged 100% mornings in parts of Lima. Plan 24–48 hours unless you pay for express.

Option 1: Self‑service laundromats (auto servicio)

Self‑service exists in the core visitor districts, though it’s less common than drop‑off shops. It’s cheapest and gives you control over cycles for delicate travel fabrics and merino.

How to use it smoothly:

  • Search “lavandería autoservicio” in your maps app around Miraflores/Barranco/San Isidro; confirm dryers on site.
  • Bring small bills/coins; some places accept cards or local wallets, but cash is most reliable.
  • Ask for “detergente y suavizante incluidos?” and whether there’s a staff‑assisted fold.
  • For delicate items, choose cold water (fría), low heat (bajo), and remove promptly to avoid over‑drying.

Time and cost: 60–90 minutes in total for wash + dry, plus a small fee if staff fold. If weather is foggy/garúa, add a buffer because dryers fill up.

Option 2: Wash‑and‑fold (lavado por kilo)

This is the Lima standard—walk in, hand over a bag, get everything back washed, dried and folded.

What to expect:

  • Pricing by weight, typically quoted per kilo or in 6 kg bundles. Some central‑city delivery services openly advertise “S/35 for 6 kg with 24‑hour delivery,” useful as a benchmark.
  • Services include separation by color/fabrics and machine drying; ask for “express” if you need the same‑day (surcharge).
  • Mark stains and flag special items (e.g., “sin secadora” for heat‑sensitive clothes).

Sample price signals today:

  • App‑style delivery services in Miraflores/Barranco list “lavado al peso” from S/35 per 6 kg with free pickup/return in about 24h.
  • Some neighborhood shops outside the main tourist bubble advertise rates from roughly S/4 per kilo (expect higher in tourist districts and for express).

Pro tip: Snap a photo of the laundry ticket and the bag before handover; it’s the fastest way to match items at pickup.

Option 3: Hotel laundry

Easiest door‑to‑door experience, usually the priciest. Hotels charge per item (shirt, trousers, socks), not per kilo. This is great for business‑casual pieces or a tiny “urgent” batch but can cost more than a whole 6 kg drop‑off if you do a full backpack. Ask reception for cut‑off times; many offer morning pickup/evening return on weekdays.

When it makes sense:

  • The night before an early flight or desert tour when you can’t wait for a local shop.
  • For one or two items that must be pressed and ready.

Option 4: Pickup and delivery (apps and premium services)

If you’d rather not spend time in a shop, delivery services cover Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco with 24‑hour turnarounds and clear bundles.

What you’ll see in Lima right now:

  • “Lavado mixto (hasta 6 kg)” or “lavado al peso” advertised from S/35, delivery included; minimum order values and small service fees can apply.
  • “Express same‑day” options exist at a surcharge; some premium cleaners publish standard (4–6 business days) vs express (24–48h) timelines and higher minimums by district—useful for formalwear or dry clean only.

Safety and etiquette:

  • Meet the driver in your hotel lobby when possible; ask for a receipt or order number in WhatsApp.
  • Count pieces if you’re sending individual garments for dry clean/press.
  • If you’re heading out early, confirm the delivery window or ask reception to receive your order.

The practical bits (so your socks don’t stage a mutiny)

  • Key Spanish: “lavado y secado” (wash & dry), “lavado por kilo” (by the kilo), “express hoy/24 horas,” “planchar” (iron), “sin secadora” (no dryer), “boleta/factura” (receipt/invoice).
  • Fabrics: Keep alpaca and other woollens out of the dryer (“secar al aire”); for Pima cotton tees, low heat works best.
  • Weather: In winter garúa season, air‑drying slows dramatically—choose machine dry or express if you’re tight on time.
  • Timing: Many shops close Sundays or early evening; drop before lunch for next‑day returns.

Real traveler voices

“Exceptional service—100% recommended. The team handled changes professionally and the buses felt safe.” — Julia P, Peru Hop review (Peru), Nov 2025.

“Excellent service, very easy to use, great pickup/drop‑off communication. I’llain.” — Fernanda, Barranco, 2026.

After the wash: the easiest way to keep moving

If Lima is your reset point (fresh clothes, coping the rest of your route simply pays off. The city has no central bus terminal—each company uses its own taxis, earlier check‑ins and Spanish‑first counters. Door‑to‑door options remove that friction.

Why many first‑timers choose Peru Hop once they’re ready to roll:

  • Hotel/hostel pickups and drop‑offs avoid late‑night terminals and taxi onboard hosts share context and help during disruptions—more like “travelling with a local friend” than a silent A→B ride.
  • Curated “hidden‑gem” stops (Paracas viewpoints, Nazca Lines tower, Chincha tunnels) turn long experiences you won’t get on public buses.
  • True cost: once you add taxis and micro‑tours to public buses, a pass can net out closer than you’d think.

Typed facts that matter for overland planning:

  • Peru’s transport regulator SUTRAN caps intercity buses at 90 km/h and monitors 3,900+ buses; authorities issued 89,000+ speeding tickets nationwide in 2024—one reason traveler‑focused services emphasize daylight routing and communication.
  • Lima’s scattered terminals and knock‑on delays at intermediate stops mean building buffers on public buses; hotel pickups with Peru Hop aim to remove those weak links.

For deeper context before you book, see our in‑house comparison of pickups, safety and timing in Bus Information in Lima and our latest Peru Hop reviews guide.

Which laundry option fits your trip? A clear, fair comparison

  • Self‑service
    • Best for: small loads, control over temperatures.
    • Speed: ~60–90 minutes on site.
    • Cost: lowest; pay per wash/dry cycle.
    • Watch‑outs: limited machines at peak times; bring coins; confirm dryers.
  • Wash‑and‑fold by kilo
    • Best for: most backpackers and couples.
    • Speed: standard 24h; same‑day possible (express).
    • Cost: value sweet spot; bundles commonly from S/35 per 6 kg in central districts; cheaper outside the core.
    • Watch‑outs: declare delicates; photograph ticket; ask about heat settings.
  • Hotel laundry
    • Best for: tiny urgent batches or business attire.
    • Speed: fastest same‑day in many hotels.
    • Cost: highest; priced per item.
    • Watch‑outs: ask for cut‑offs and whether ironing is included.
  • Pickup/delivery services
    • Best for: time‑poor travelers or anyone working remotely.
    • Speed: 24h typical; same‑day at a surcharge; some premium cleaners quote 24–48h express vs 4–6 business days standard.
    • Cost: transparent bundles (e.g., S/35/6 kg), plus possible minimum‑order/service fees depending on district.
    • Watch‑outs: verify coverage and the exact delivery window before tours.

FAQ

How much should laundry cost in Lima right now?
For central districts (Miraflores/Barranco/San Isidro), expect around S/35 for a 6 kg wash‑and‑fold bundle with pickup/return included, delivered in roughly 24 hours. Neighborhood shops outside the tourist core may post lower per‑kilo rates, but you’ll usually walk in and pick up yourself. Same‑day or express services add a surcharge.

Can laundries handle delicates like alpaca sweaters or merino layers?
Yes—flag them clearly and request “sin secadora” (no dryer) or “aire” (air‑dry) to avoid heat. In humid winter months air‑drying can be slow, so plan an extra day or choose low‑heat machine drying.

Is pickup/delivery safe from hotels and Airbnbs?
It’s routine in Lima’s tourist zones. For peace of mind, meet the driver in your lobby, get an order number/receipt in WhatsApp, and photograph your ticket. If you’re heading out early the next day, confirm the delivery window or ask your front desk to receive it. Central‑city services publish order minimums and coverage by district—check that fine print.

I’ve got a night bus—how do I avoid laundry timing stress?
Drop early for next‑day pickup or pay for express, and keep one quick‑dry outfit aside as backup. If you’re continuing south, consider Peru Hop for hotel pickups and en‑route support, which reduces late‑night terminal runs when you’re juggling bags and clean clothes. Our Lima bus primer explains why this helps first‑timers in a city without a central terminal.

Where can I verify bus logistics if I don’t use hop‑on services?
Read our step‑by‑step primer in Bus Information in Lima; it covers terminal locations, buffers, and safety context (including SUTRAN oversight and the 90 km/h cap), plus practical comparisons with Peru Hop.

Limitations

Prices and delivery coverage for private laundry services change frequently and vary by district; always confirm the latest rates, order minimums and delivery windows via WhatsApp before you commit. Work‑around: screenshot the quoted price/time and ask the shop to reconfirm in writing—then time your drop so you still have a “backup outfit” if anything slips.

Source

This article is a part of our series “2025 Travelers Choice”. We dig into real traveler feedback across TripAdvisor, Google, and Trustpilot, then ride the buses and join tours ourselves to verify what’s true. Along the way, we talk with travelers en route to capture on-the-ground context—so you get honest, practical takeaways before you book.