Editor’s Note: I was recently visiting my grandkids who live in another state with their single working mom (our daughter). When I noticed the amount of laundry they generated and that “doing the laundry” always falls on mom, I was especially interested when I received the following article from Stephanie Leichtweis, CEO of Ginsey Home Solutions
I remember helping my mom do the laundry when I was ten years old, and we had a tub washing machine that you had to feed the wet clothes through a wringer and then hang everything on the clothesline. And no, I didn’t walk 10 miles to school in the snow, but doing the laundry was considered an important job, and we kids were all expected to pitch in and help with housework.
Today, I see moms struggle trying to juggle everything and not asking their kids for help. Kids want to help; it makes them feel important as they are valued and appreciated for their help, and they learn valuable life skills, so make it a family job, not just mom’s job.
Grandkids’ Guide to Doing Laundry
BY STEPHANIE LEICHTWEIS, CEO OF GINSEY HOME SOLUTIONS
As kids head back to school and many teens prepare to leave for college, basic laundry skills are often overlooked. Surveys show that 60% of students moving out for the first time report having rarely or never done their own laundry, while about one in three Americans lack basic household skills like understanding laundry care symbols.
Teaching kids to do laundry can feel like a chore, especially when getting them to put dirty clothes in the hamper — or clean clothes away — already takes multiple reminders. But laundry is an important life skill, and starting early can help kids care for their clothes, save energy, and feel more prepared when they eventually leave home.
Some of the basic tips and tricks kids need to learn about doing laundry include:
Learning to read labels.
Some of the laundry lore that has been passed down from generation to generation is not necessarily correct. For example, some people have been taught by parents and grandparents that bed sheets should be washed on hot. If you check the label of most sheets however, they often say to wash on a delicate cold cycle. Create flash cards or find a laundry symbol chart online, print and post it in the laundry room to help kids learn what the different symbols on labels mean.
Understanding laundry cycles.
Every washing machine and dryer has different pre-sets and buttons that have different heat settings, spin cycles, and timer settings associated with them. Show kids how turning dials on the washing machine and dryer to different settings changes what lights are lit on the machine indicating temperatures, speeds, and times. Explain that even though some settings like bedding exist, they may not be the right setting for the item being washed or dried, and that this is why it’s important to always read the label and set washer and dryer cycles accordingly.
Measuring soaps and other additives.
All too often people think adding extra soap to the washing machine will result in cleaner clothes. But the opposite is true. In fact, using too much detergent can leave residue behind that traps dirt and odors instead of removing them. Show kids how to measure detergent correctly and explain that washing full (but not overloaded) loads allows detergent to work more effectively while also conserving water and energy.
Extend the lifespan of clothes, sheets and towels.
Washing on cold and drying on low heat can help prevent clothes from shrinking. Lower heat is less harsh on fabrics and can also help sheets and towels last longer too. Most laundry detergents are formulated to work just as effectively in cold water as warm or hot. And, drying on low for longer can actually use less energy than drying on hot for a short period of time.
Other tips and tricks.
Once kids have tackled laundry basics, it’s time to start learning about stains, ways to prevent wrinkles and other hacks that can make doing laundry easier.
- Finda stain chart online, print and hang it next to the laundry symbol chart so kids know what product to use on what type of stain for the best results.
- Teach kids to put small items that easily get lost inside a mesh laundry bag, so no one must hunt for missing socks again.
- Introduce tools like wool laundry balls andWad-Free for Bed Sheets to help save time and solve problems like tangled bed sheets that wad up and take multiple dryer cycles to fully dry.
Teaching kids how to do laundry is about more than keeping clothes clean, it’s preparing them with a practical life skill they’ll use for years to come. Starting before they leave home can help them feel more confident, protect their clothes and bedding, and avoid costly laundry mistakes once they’re on their own.
Stephanie Leichtweis,
References:
Birmingham City University. (2014, November 4). Survery reveals most students moving out of home for the first time, don’t know how to do their own washing. https://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/survey-reveals-most-students-moving-out-of-home-for-the-first-time-dont-know-how-to-do-their-own-washing
Tommy John. Home Improvement: 32% of Americans Lack Basic Household Skills.
