At first, small children won’t understand why you separate the clothing. Stay patient with them. Explain it as many times as needed as they grow. Teach them to care for specialty clothing, too. For example, you may not want to wash formal clothing every week. Lycra needs a cold wash and should be done separately. Sorting is a good time to teach them additional steps, such as zipping up zippers, clearing out pockets, and reading labels.

The proper load size is three-fourths full for a heavy load.

Be aware that detergent pods such as Tide PODS can be dangerous. Some kids have swallowed the pods, thinking they are food. Teach your kids the pods aren’t to be eaten and store the pods in a safe spot up high when not in use. Similarly, you should supervise your children while they’re handling chemicals, such as detergent.

Label the buttons with permanent black marker or stickers. That way, children will have a quick reminder of what the buttons do. If you are worried, you can let them practice with less valuable clothing. Stay with them until you feel confident they understand what they’re doing, but don’t discourage them. Calmly explain any mistakes they make. With gradual teaching, children will be capable of handling the machine around age eight.

Dryer sheets and fabric softener soften clothes, add a pleasant scent, and reduce static. Using them is not mandatory, however.

Like with the washing machine, label the dryer buttons with permanent black marker or stickers. It may prevent you from a costly repair bill for a broken knob.

An accordion-style folding rack is a great tool for younger children who aren’t tall enough to reach a clothesline.

All family members can help with this part. It’s usually the most tedious and labor-intensive one. Do it together and it’ll be more bearable for everyone.

Older children may have a sense of how to organize the clothes for themselves. Still, they may still appreciate hearing suggestions on how to do this better.

Keeping the laundry area organized is important. Store laundry cleaners up high so young children can’t reach them while unsupervised. Clear off shelves so heavy objects won’t fall on heads. Keep clutter off the ground so no one trips. It’ll keep kids safe. Create an instructional chart to show your child the steps for doing laundry. A visual chart works well for younger children.

Teach children under two years old to put dirty laundry in a hamper. At age three, encourage them to fold and store small items like socks. Patiently increase responsibility a little every year. Around age eight, they’ll be capable of handling the machines. [13] X Research source The laundry responsibilities you offer a child depend on age and trust. Some children develop faster than others. Watching an older sibling do the laundry can also encourage younger children.

Keep laundry fun and lighthearted. Working as a family and laughing together helps take the nuisance out of the work. It’s useful to break down the parts for children. Separate washing, drying, and putting away clothes. Consider taking breaks between parts or dividing up the chore. It’ll make doing laundry feel a lot more manageable. For older children, include laundry on their chores list. To motivate them, you might attach a rewards system for completing their chores or for doing a certain number of loads. [14] X Expert Source Wits End ParentingParenting Specialists Expert Interview. 5 March 2020.

Don’t get upset over mistakes at first. It’s better to forgive and give them confidence. If they don’t care about taking over their share of the laundry, then you may have to try refusing to do it for them. Tell them calmly that you can’t do it for them forever, and that no one else in your home will do it if they don’t.