Have the kids help with the laundry

Doing laundry is one of those chores that you will do all your life. You produce clothes as a baby and continue to do so throughout your adult life. I believe that all adults, whether they are men or women, should know how to do laundry.

Even small children can help with the laundry. Start by placing laundry hampers or laundry hampers in everyone’s rooms. Each person is responsible for putting their dirty clothes in their own basket. When the children are not old enough to do this task, you can tell the child what he is doing and get him used to the fact that there is a laundry basket in his room.

I separate the clothes into several piles. I have colored clothes, white clothes, towels and sheets. The kids can help separate once laundry day has arrived. Here in California, it is very common to have the washer and dryer in the garage. Only once have my washing machines been inside the house.

In the garage I have 4 batteries. Children can take clothes out of their laundry baskets and put them in the appropriate piles. This helps children learn that it is not advisable to wash white socks with dark blue jeans.

Once you measure out the laundry soap, the kids can pour the soap into the machine. Depending on the age of the child, they may also be able to measure the soap.

When it’s time to put the clothes in the dryer, let the kids help you. Are there clothes that you don’t put in the dryer? The children, depending on the age, could take those clothes off you.

Do you use dryer sheets? Kids can put the dryer sheets in the dryer and even turn on the dryer.

When the clothes have finished drying, children should be able to help put them away. Each family has its own routine. Children can classify socks. Children can fold towels. Children can hang shirts on hangers. Children can put folded clothes in their dresser drawers.

My kids have been doing their own laundry since they were preteens. They have learned to sort loads, read labels and remove stains.

Teach your children at an early age how to help with the laundry and you will reduce their workload as they begin to take responsibility for their own laundry.