Teaching your child to do laundry can help foster their sense of responsibility and be a good bonding activity. Since it includes a variety of tasks requiring different levels of ability, it’s a chore they can begin learning about at 2 or 3 and then grow into. However, explaining your process can give them an early start. The following guide offers tips for easing them into caring for their own clothes.

Sorting

Help them understand that clothes should be sorted by color and fabric type and why. Explaining that their white shirt could become pink if they wash it with their new red socks provides a clear consequence. Have them practice sorting the laundry and check their work for learning opportunities. They can toss the garments into their hamper like they’re playing basketball to make the activity more fun. 

Stain Treatment

Kids often have grass and condiment stains on their clothing. Teaching them how you remove those stains will help them learn that they don’t just disappear in the washing machine. They can build on their knowledge of which chemicals to use to treat which type of stain so they won’t permanently damage their garments in the future.

Machine Operation

Make sure they know how to load the machines properly to mitigate an imbalanced load. Teach them how much detergent and fabric softener to use for the washing machine and show them where to put it. Remind them to remove the lint before drying to avoid starting a fire. Explain what the different cycles and temperatures are for, making sure to answer any questions they have.

Folding

Educate your child that removing the laundry as soon as possible once it’s dry prevents wrinkles. Then show them how to fold an article of clothing like pants before having them replicate it with a pair of their own. This way, they can follow along with you step-by-step. Remember that they will get better and faster with practice, so repetition is vital.

If you want to teach your child to do laundry, but you don’t have a washer and dryer, take them to City Laundry if you’re in Lincoln, NE. They are a family-friendly laundromat with large capacity machines capable of getting several loads done in just a couple of hours when you need a lot done quickly. Call (402) 483-2113 with questions. Visit them online to learn more about their machines.