Teaching kids how to do the laundry helps them realize the importance of taking good care of their own belongings, allowing them to do it independently. It also makes the job easier for you, giving you more time to tackle the other important household chores simultaneously.
But if the dirty clothes have already piled up to an unmanageable amount, you can always turn to laundry and ironing services. Here’s how you can have a smooth transition:
Help them learn the laundry with games
If you want your kids to get involved in doing the laundry, educate them on why it needs to be done in the first place. Tell them that clothes are essential in daily lives, and washing them gets rid of microorganism that causes skin irritation. And as a kid, their focus is on outdoor activities, so it’s normal if you get complaints but don’t be discouraged. Try including games instead to get them interested. You can do matching colors, counting clothes, and folding tricks. Because kids enjoy challenges, this will sure engage them.
Teach them to sort the laundry
Kids may not get the idea why it is necessary to sort out clothes, but it only takes proper explanation to help them understand that that’s to avoid ruining fabrics. With separate bins, show them how to sort white, colored, and delicate linens. This also helps them care for clothing as they grow up.
Help them load the washer
After sorting out the dirty clothes, it’s time to demonstrate how to load the recommended size to avoid overloading the washing machine. That is the common reason why a washing machine breaks down sooner. It’s ½ full for medium or regular load, while 3/4 full for a large load.
Show them how to add detergent
Adding the right detergent ensures stain removal and gets your clothes clean and fresh. But kids may have difficulty estimating how much to add, so you may need to use a pod for this process. While doing so, take time to explain how it is poisonous and that it must not be ingested.
Teach them how to operate the washing machine
Start off with the normal cycle then work your way to the more complex buttons. Illustrate a little at a time to avoid overloading them with information. You may also try labeling each button to make it easier for them to remember. Continue to supervise them operate the washing machine until they are confident by themselves. Once they get the hang of it, they will be comfortable doing it on their own.
Educate your kids on how to hand wash
Some clothes cannot be machine washed, so you also want to teach your kid how to hand wash. This is also essential for stubborn stains that don’t come off in a normal wash cycle. Demonstrate the proper way to brush and scrub the dirt off of clothes using bleach and other cleaning agents.
Help them operate the dryer
When the washing process is done, show them how to move the clothes to the dryer. Don’t forget to get rid of the lint from the catcher first. Let them be the ones to put the dryer sheet. And tell them that it’s used to fragrance and soften clothes during the drying time. Just like the washing machine, start off with the regular buttons, then you can probably explain later how to the rest of the button such as the hot cycle or permanent press work. Explain slowly, so they can better absorb the instructions.
Teach them how to hang clothes
Take the clothes out of the dryer, put them in separate bins, then show them how to squeeze the excess water. Remember to shake out the clothes to get wrinkles and stiffness. This can save you the hassle of ironing. Give them a folding rack within their reach, so they can hang clothes easily.
Guide them how to fold clothes
After gathering dry clothes, it’s time to teach them how to fold them. It may not be easy for your kids to fold large fabrics, so start off with small towels. Afterward, show them how to stack them correctly in the cabinet.
Remember that it’s not easy to get your kids engaged in doing the laundry and other household tasks, because their attention is commonly on games or gadgets. But by making it fun and interesting, you can encourage them to help you regularly, making the errands simpler for you. Not only that; you also teach them something important that they can use when they grow up.
