What Size Drawstring Laundry Bag Do You Need? 20x24 vs 24x34
20×24 and 24×34 inches are the two standard drawstring laundry bag sizes. Which one you need, which fabric to pick, and what bulk laundry bags cost.
Published 3 min read
Last updated: October 23, 2026 · By Monam Shajar, Cotton Pouch
Quick answer: the two standard drawstring laundry bag sizes are 20×24 inches and 24×34 inches. A 20×24 bag holds a full load of laundry and still draws closed, which suits one person, a dorm room or a weekly wash-and-fold order. A 24×34 bag takes bigger loads, bedding and duvets, which suits families, hotels and laundry services.
Cotton Pouch supplies cotton drawstring laundry bags from Jackson, New Jersey, from one bag up to packs of 500.
Laundry bag sizes compared
| Bag size | Holds | Best for | One bag | Per bag in a pack of 500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12×18 in | A few days of clothes | Travel laundry, gym kit | $7.50 | $0.87 |
| 18×20 in | A small load, linens | Delicates, kids' laundry, mesh wash bags | $7.99 | $1.33 |
| 20×24 in | A full load of laundry | Dorms, apartments, wash-and-fold orders | $8.99 | $1.65 |
| 24×34 in | A large load, bedding, duvets | Families, hotels, laundromats, laundry services | $8.99 | $1.96 |
Prices are for natural 145 GSM cotton muslin at Cotton Pouch, as of October 2026. Shipping is free in the US with no minimum order.
20×24 or 24×34: how to choose
- Choose 20×24 in if one person's weekly wash should fit in one bag, if the bag will be carried down stairs or to a laundromat, or if you are a wash-and-fold service returning one order per bag. It is easier to carry when full.
- Choose 24×34 in for a family's laundry, sheets and towels together, duvets and comforters, or as a hamper liner. Most retail laundry bags are sold at around 24×36 in, so a 24×34 matches what people expect from a full-size laundry bag.
If you are unsure, order one of each. Every size is sold as a single bag.
Cotton or mesh for a laundry bag?
Cotton muslin or canvas hides what is inside, which is what most people want for dirty laundry, hotel guest laundry and wash-and-fold returns. Cotton is washable, reusable and plastic-free, and it can be printed with your logo. Mesh lets damp clothes breathe and dries quickly, and you can see what is inside; it is the usual choice for delicates and for laundry that goes into the machine inside the bag. Read more in muslin vs canvas vs mesh.
For mesh wash bags, our polyester mesh and cotton mesh bags go up to 18×20 in.
Laundry bags for businesses
Hotels, laundromats, wash-and-fold services, gyms, camps and colleges buy laundry bags in bulk. A pack of 500 brings a 20×24 bag down to $1.65 and a 24×34 to $1.96. We can also print or embroider your logo from 500 units, which turns a laundry bag into a branded bag customers keep. In-stock blank bags ship in 1–2 business days; custom runs take 2–3 weeks from artwork approval.
How to care for a cotton laundry bag
Machine wash cold and tumble dry low or line dry. Natural, undyed cotton shrinks about 3–5% on the first wash, so a 24×34 bag will end up a little smaller after washing. Double drawstring bags close tighter and can be carried by the cords.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard size of a laundry bag?
The standard drawstring laundry bag sizes are 20×24 inches and 24×34 inches. A 20×24 bag holds a full load of laundry; a 24×34 bag holds a larger load, bedding or a duvet.
How much laundry fits in a 20×24 bag?
A 20×24 inch drawstring bag holds a full load of laundry, about one person's weekly wash, and still draws closed.
Is a 24×34 bag big enough for a duvet?
Yes. A 24×34 inch bag holds a folded duvet or comforter, or a set of sheets and towels together.
What size laundry bag is best for travel?
A 12×18 inch bag is the best travel laundry bag. It holds a few days of clothes and packs flat in a suitcase.
Can I buy laundry bags in bulk with my logo?
Yes. Cotton Pouch sells blank laundry bags from one bag to packs of 500 and prints or embroiders logos from 500 units, with a 2–3 week lead time.
Written by
Monam Shajar, Cotton Pouch
Cotton Pouch makes and ships cotton drawstring bags from Jackson, New Jersey: 24 sizes in muslin, canvas and mesh, packed every day for soap, candle, jewelry, tea and coffee brands.
