Teaching Children to do Laundry

Parents start out doing everything for their kids and it's easy to forget that at some point those children have to learn how to do it all themselves. If they're ever going to be responsible adults, kids need to learn how to do laundry. It's even better if they learn it young and can practice and help while they're at home - long before they really have to do it for themselves. My kids have been doing laundry since they were about 6. It’s a great starting point for “big time” chores and my children were eager to use the washer and dryer…though now not so much!! :o)

Here are some tips for teaching children to do laundry:

Start them young
Most 5-year-olds with a step stool can reach a top-loading washing machine. Have them assist you with each step and explain why you do the things you do. They will slowly learn the process for themselves. A 7 or 8 year old child should be able to complete this training in a couple of months and be doing laundry with little or no supervision. Preteens may be thrilled that you're giving them some responsibility. Laundry-inept teenagers will probably require more discussion before they agree to participate, but they may also enjoy the freedom of taking care of their own clothes. But don’t count on it…best start them young!

Create a child-friendly washing area
Organize your laundry products where the child can reach and use them.

Teach them how to sort dirty laundry
Have the child help sort out whites, darks, colors, bedding, towels, etc. As you do so, explain that different colors and types of laundry are separated and washed in different water temperatures or require additional products to help clean them the best way. You will likely have to repeat these instructions many times before it all starts to make sense to a younger child. Over time, teach these additional preparation skills:

• Checking pockets for forgotten items
• Reading the care label of each unfamiliar garment before washing
• Turning printed shirts (such as t-shirts) inside out to prevent unnecessary wear on the printing
• Recognizing when they have an appropriate-size load of laundry - not too little, not too much
• Recognizing items that should not go in the washing machine, such as dry-clean-only or hand-wash-only items.

Teach them how to use the washing machine
Show them the various controls and explain how they work. Washing machines can be complex, but most people only use a few of the functions on a regular basis, so start simply with a normal wash cycle. Have the child push the buttons and turn the knobs on the machine. They will feel empowered by their new-found ability to control this big machine! Over time, teach the following additional washing machine skills:

• When, where, and how to put in the detergent and the laundry, itself
• Loading the laundry evenly so the washer remains balanced
• When to use hot, warm, or cold water
• When to use bleach, all-fabric bleach, borax, or other cleaning products
• How to use a stain-stick or pre-wash agent
• When, where, and how to use fabric softener in a washer
• How to make a quick wipe around the opening/top each time to remove any spilled laundry products.

Teach them how to use the dryer
Show your child where the lint-catcher is, and how to check and clean it out before they start adding damp laundry to the dryer. Oddly enough, this is often a favorite task for kids! Then teach them how to remove the laundry a few pieces at a time, shake them out to remove all washer-induced twisting, and place them in the dryer. This can be quite an exercise for younger children who have to repeatedly climb up and down a step stool!

Over time, teach them:

• To examine the damp laundry and recognize items that shouldn't go in the dryer
• Which dryer cycles to use for different types of laundry
• The correct direction to turn the knobs (might save you a $60 repair bill.)

Teach them how to wash items by hand
Show them:

• How much water to use in a washbasin
• How to add detergent
• How to scrub out stains
• How to squeeze excess water from hand washed items (the toughest part.)

Teach how to hang or lay laundry flat to dry
An accordion-style, folding drying rack is a great tool for younger children who aren't tall enough to reach a clothesline. Show them how to reshape and lay out sweaters and other air-dry items so that the air can reach all sides and dry them quickly.

Teach how to iron, fold, and put away the clean laundry
Younger children should not use an iron. Wait until they're at least 10 before tackling that task! However, even preschoolers can learn to sort and fold laundry. Julia helps with ours!! Do it with them and over time teach:

• Matching and folding socks together
• Turning clothing right-side-out
• Folding shirts, sweaters, and pants neatly
• Hanging dresses, blouses, dress shirts and dress pants
• Folding towels and bedding

Believe it or not, this can be great "quality time" spent with your kids! This can even all be done - with a bit of adjustment - at a laundromat instead of a home washroom. Take the kids along and have fun teaching and watching them learn a new skill! Bring a few books to read together or a card game to play while the washer(s) and dryer(s) are running.

Don't try to teach everything at once. Add a new skill or bit of knowledge each time you do the laundry together.

Find a child-size, full-length apron for younger children to wear when doing laundry. They'll be using chemicals (bleach alert!) and possibly getting their hands wet, and the natural reaction is to wipe their hands on their clothes. An apron could be the difference between nice new jeans and suddenly-worthless new jeans with a huge bleach stain on the front.

Even after younger kids think they can do it all on their own, be a silent observer for at least a couple of weeks. Inevitably there will be situations that you forgot to mention, and you will be grateful for the opportunity to teach those odds and ends.

It may be easier to manage the family laundry if everyone has their own hamper for dirty laundry in their bedroom. Sometimes it is more efficient to combine all the household laundry together, but sometimes it's easier to manage if it all stays separate.