Do your older teens know how to do Laundry

[Anonymous]

Started teaching it in 4th grade. Turned it over completely in 6th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really wouldn't compare doing a load of white's with driving. Really? laundry is a life skill? My kids can cook, I see that more important than laundry!

Sure, some things are more important than laundry, but doing laundry is not difficult, and as a PP said, it's a chore that the kids can do at home. So, why wouldn't you teach them how to do it? It doesn't take long to teach them, and it makes them that much more self sufficient when they are older.

At some point, you need to know not to put certain clothing in the dryer and why. Most people don't read the washing instructions on the clothing, so a simple "don't put knitted sweaters in the dryer" or "separate out darks from whites".. "this is how you use bleach".. "make sure you clean out the vents".. "dryer balls are better than dryer sheets" -- can save a bit of frustration down the road when they are off to college.

When I had to learn to cook on, I was on the phone with my mom all the time, even at the grocery store. I don't want that for my kids. I'd rather they be self sufficient like that before they go off on their own.

[Anonymous]

Our 14-year-old DD does most of her own laundry now. She said I'm too slow getting the laundry done a lot of the time. Ha, it's true. So I showed her how to wash whites, darks and reds, and she does hers and ours a lot of the time now. She even carries the baskets upstairs.

[Anonymous]

Doing laundry is so ridiculously easy. My 7 year old does it. With our machine, even the detergent is pre-loaded and we wash almost everything in tap cold. You don't even have to sort colors anymore unless the item is brand new. Put the clothes in, close the lid, press start.

Now folding and putting it away? You'd think I'm asking them to donate a kidney. Sigh...

[Anonymous]

All these people saying their kids can do laundry would never in a million years let these kids do their laundry.

Queue people lying or that live in yoga pants saying they would.

Can they do laundry, yes
Do they do laundry, yes.
Do they really know how to, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All these people saying their kids can do laundry would never in a million years let these kids do their laundry.

Queue people lying or that live in yoga pants saying they would.

Can they do laundry, yes
Do they do laundry, yes.
Do they really know how to, no.

No, my son doesn't have much experience with delicates, but he does know "normal" from "ask mom". When something comes up he is unsure how to wash, he asks and I tell him. I don't have to show him anymore.


So I think he does laundry just fine.

[Anonymous]

DH here....I messed up doing laundry after getting married and haven't been allowed to do another load in 23 years.

[Anonymous]

I did a Laundry 101 with my kids before they went away to summer camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All these people saying their kids can do laundry would never in a million years let these kids do their laundry.

Queue people lying or that live in yoga pants saying they would.

Can they do laundry, yes
Do they do laundry, yes.
Do they really know how to, no.

My kid (13) has done my laundry multiple times. I don’t own any yoga pants.

It’s not rocket science. We use Tide Pods and dryer balls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I taught them the basics pretty young at around 11.

My wife grew up with a personal nanny (each kid had their own) as well as maids. We met in college and she had no idea how to do laundry. She sent hers out, like, ALL of it. She also had no idea how to properly clean. I had to teach her as much as the kids.

The bigger question is why don't you have enough household staff to keep your wife comfortable.

[Anonymous]

I do my 17 year old DS' laundry and DH's laundry. It is one of the few chores I don't hate.

For a smaller household, we need to combine our stuff to make full loads.
DS starts college next month and I will have him do a load or three before then and then he'll know how to do laundry. He's not an idiot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really wouldn't compare doing a load of white's with driving. Really? laundry is a life skill? My kids can cook, I see that more important than laundry!

Yes, it is a life skill unless you plan on financing a housekeeper for them for the rest of their lives.

[Anonymous]

My rising second grader proudly told me she washed a shirt she knew was dirty but that she wanted to wear to camp the next day. Of course laundry is a life skill; considering how relatively easy it is, how could you not teach your kids to do it? Come on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really wouldn't compare doing a load of white's with driving. Really? laundry is a life skill? My kids can cook, I see that more important than laundry!

Yes, it is a life skill unless you plan on financing a housekeeper for them for the rest of their lives.

Why would you need a housekeeper for just laundry?

Once a week, on his way to work, my brother drops his clothes at the fluff and fold for $0.90/lb. He picks it up on his way home. He knows how to do laundry, but says it isn’t worth his time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All these people saying their kids can do laundry would never in a million years let these kids do their laundry.

Queue people lying or that live in yoga pants saying they would.

Can they do laundry, yes
Do they do laundry, yes.
Do they really know how to, no.

No, my son doesn't have much experience with delicates, but he does know "normal" from "ask mom". When something comes up he is unsure how to wash, he asks and I tell him. I don't have to show him anymore.


So I think he does laundry just fine.

Throw some wool sweaters in his basket and tell me if he knows what to do.

Put some greese stains on some shorts and does he get them out?