How to Teach Your Kids to Do The Laundry - #ChurchandDwight

We start out this 'parenting' gig by doing everything for our kids. We often have the best intentions (for us all to survive!), but it can be easy to forget that at some point the children will have to learn how to do all of the things for themselves.

Doing the laundry is one of those things.

Sigh.

One of the best things you can do is to... Start them young. 

Most 5 year olds can assist with each step, now that most washers and dryers are front loaders. Explain why you are doing the things you do and they will slowly learn the process for themselves. 

A 9 - 10 year old child should be able to do their own laundry with little supervision, while a teenager should be able to handle this task with ease (though it may ellicit grumbles).

Create a child-friendly washing area. 

Organize your laundry products where the child can reach and use them, but where they are still up and away from any younger children. Because Beebo and Xman are still in that 9 - 11 year old stage, we have been using OxyClean™ HD paks. They throw in one OxyClean™ pak before throwing in their dirty clothes, set the machine and then press start! Easy peasy!

This avoids wielding big jugs of laundry detergent for the time being and allows the kids to learn the basics first.

Most importantly, even if they aren't ready to do their own laundry yet... teach them how to sort dirty laundry. 

Have your child help sort the whites, darks, colours, bedding, towels, etc. As you do so, explain that different colours and types of laundry are separated and washed in different water temperatures, or require additional products to help clean them the best way. 

Over time, you'll want to teach these additional prep laundry 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 washer and the dryer. Show your child 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 basic, so start first with a normal cycle. Then show your child how to use the dryer, where the lint-catcher is, and how to check and clean it out before they start adding damp laundry to the dryer. 

• 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.

Teach how to fold and put away the clean laundry. Even if you suck at it (omg, I am the worst!):

• 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.

There will be trials and tribulations (and shrinkage!), but save the spills for another day by using OxyClean™ HD paks. They get the dirty gone and they are easy to use.

***I am a brand ambassador for the 2017 year with Church & Dwight. As part of this program I receive monetary compensation, as well as products to review and giveaway. The opinions expressed belong to PeekThruOurWindow.com.**