For years, you’ve done all of your child’s laundry. You’ve sorted colors, pre-treated messes, and scrubbed away every stain.
But your child is now at an age where they’re curious, capable, and more responsible than ever. So, is it time you teach them how to care for their own clothes? If you feel your little one is old enough to learn tasks like how to start a load of laundry or fold and put away clean clothes, here are some tips for teaching kids to care for their clothes so they can become more self-sufficient.
Start with the Basics
Begin with the simplest tasks first. You can show them how to put their dirty clothes in the hamper instead of on the floor. This small step builds a foundation of responsibility. From there, you can move on to sorting lights and darks into separate baskets. Make it a game to see who can sort their pile the fastest.
Make it a Team Effort
Laundry day doesn’t have to be a solo mission. Turn it into a bonding activity. You can fold clothes together while you watch a favorite show or listen to music. This shared time makes the chore feel less like work and more like a fun, regular part of your week.
Guide Them Through the Laundry Machine
When you introduce the washing machine, explain each step clearly. You can talk them through which buttons to press and how much detergent to use. Use a cheat sheet with pictures of the laundry symbols and what they mean. This visual aid will help them remember the steps when they do it on their own.
Don’t Forget the Footwear
Caring for clothes extends to shoes too. You can teach your child how to wipe mud off their sneakers or put their rain boots away properly. Some specialty types of shoes may need special care; for example, teaching your child how to clean cowboy boots may require different steps than caring for a simple pair of sneakers.
Fold and Put Away
The final step is getting those clean clothes back where they belong. Show your child your favorite folding techniques for shirts, pants, and socks. Additionally, you can organize their drawers with labels, so they know exactly where everything goes. An organized closet makes it easier to find what they need each morning.
A Big Step Towards Independence
Teaching kids to care for their own clothes takes some work. You’ll need to run them through what the laundry symbols mean and how to correctly fold a t-shirt, among other things. But once they get the hang of it, they’ll be able to handle these tasks on their own. This new skill will make them feel grown-up and responsible, and their independence will take one more chore off your own plate.
