Teaching Your Children to Do Their OWN Laundry

One of the best things I've taught my children thus far is how to do their own laundry. On my laundry room door is a sign which reads: "LAUNDRY - Help Wanted". In light of the various and constant tasks on my daily plate of duties, this is one of my least favorite. Thus, I begin early to hand off this necessary and valuable job to the ones who create the work in the first place. My son shown above began doing his laundry entirely by himself at the age of 8. Other than a time or two of forgetting to put in the soap, he's done a great job. Yes, I still need to remind them occasionally to change a load; but knowing that they do not have free time until their laundry is done is a big motivator! All of the following steps can be taught over a number or years or a number of months. I teach my children steps 2-4 from an early age. They also learn to fold their clothes WITH me at a young age as well. Steps 4, 5, and 6 come with maturity and understanding (as well as height in our family) -- all of which vary with different children. I highly exhort you to fully hand off this task to your children by the time they are in their teen years (except for rare occasions of acts of service to and for them). Happy training!

Steps to children doing their OWN laundry:
Step 1 : Remove the guilt from your mind which tells you that "good mothers" should always do their children's laundry. :)
Step 2 : Teach your children how to sort laundry based on a whites, lights, or darks system. Begin this as soon as they can stand. They love to "help" and it teaches them their colors and sorting (I'm always multi-tasking!).



Step 3 : As soon as they've mastered the sorting, teach them how to load the washing machine and also how to switch the washing to the dryer. In addition, let them be the ones to change out the lint screen and replace it.


Step 4 : When they are tall enough and/or responsible enough, allow them the thrill of measuring out the soap/fabric softener (which I don't advise using but so many people do I thought I'd put it in there).


Step 5 : Teach them the understanding of WHY we wash the dark colors in cold water and WHY we wash whites in hot. Kids are much more likely to remember a "rule" if they understand the concept behind it.


Step 6 : Teach them (by having them do this along with you) how to fold clothes properly, including the concept of (and my kids can recite this in their sleep): "How you hang your clothes in your closet is how they are going to hang on you!"


Step 7 : Shadow them through the entire process of completing a load entirely by themselves. Teach them to set a timer so they are diligent to remember to change out the washing to the dryer. Do this several times until you feel that they are responsible and can be trusted with the process.
Step 8 : Praise them for their service to you and your family! Enjoy having to do a few less loads each week. Set aside a day each week that is their "laundry day" and make it a habit for life.