Getting Your Kids to Sort Laundry is Easier Than You Think
January 16, 2008 by Sarah
Filed under Read These!
I used to spend so much time sorting laundry right before putting it in the washer. Having all the laundry together meant that I couldn’t just take out one load, I had to go through it all to find the Whites, Lights, and Darks. When we moved into our new house, I decided it was time for HipChick (7) and Princess (4) to help. I’ll give Pea a pass for a few years. SO I came up with this system, which I’m sure is not totally unique, but it works for me!
- I purchased one of these three-compartment sorters. I was hesitant at fist about spending $30 on a laundry basket, but it has been completely worth the money! I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
- Then, I clipped a color chart to each bin, so the kids could match the colors of their clothes to the best bin. They do a pretty great job, and it’s kind of like a game.
Do I sometimes find a hot pink shirt in the white bin? Of course! But getting the kids in on the action has been a huge time-saver for me!
How do you involve your kids in the housework?
I actually do that! I have a 4 section sorter and I wrote the colors on the side with a Sharpie. At least the first step is done!
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I like that idea. Where do you put it? Do they each bring their own basket down?
I’ve also found that they are good at sorting clean clothes as well. Each person has their own container and the kids (7 and 5) throw it into it. We’ve stopped bothering with folding b/c all they did was stuff it in the drawer and mess it up. We pretty much wear really casual clothes.
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Great idea!
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Mama Bug, I have considered not folding the pajamas, because their drawer gets completely messed up anyway. I’m glad to know someone else does that!
We don’t bother with laundry baskets in their rooms. I put the sorter in the laundry room. (We are blessed with a large laundry room.) Each night, they walk their clothes from that day into the Laundry room, and sort them. That way, they don’t have a huge job to do at any one time.I have a large wicker hamper in my bathroom that I sort when it fills up.
Autumn, I have thought of getting a 4-section one because I like to separate the jeans and towels. They tend to beat up on the other clothes.
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Great idea!
I have 5 baskets set up in my husbands closet – Whites; Light Colors; Dark Colors; Jeans; Reds. This has been such a time saver AND the kids have learned which basket to put their items in!
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I have the same laundry sorter. I purposely bought the small laundry baskets for my two DDs closet. The color idea is great, but my Laun. Rm. is in the basement (I’d have to carry it down for them anyway) I’m a little anal about laundry, and honestly, I won’t even let my DH touch the laundry, unless there are sheets in the washer, then I’ll tell him to stick them in the dryer (and turn it on)
Laci
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We do this too with the 3 bin sorter. My kids have been sorting laundry since they have been old enough to walk.
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We have used on of these for years and it works GREAT!!!!
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Great tip! I am definately getting one of those!!
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Great tip! I am going to go add colors to my sorter right now!
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That’s a fantastic idea! My two boys are a little young for this yet but someday, oh yes someday!
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We have this bin and it does work!
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I have never tried this idea, but I make my oldest (3 1/2) find his pile of clean clothes on the table and take them to his room. He also has to take the dirty clothes from the hamper in his bathroom and come sort them with me. I am a clean freak so mine are trained well! They follow along with rags and wipe down just about everything! They are also champs about unloading the dishwasher!
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Thanks so much for posting your chart! I just spent the last 20 mins searching for a printable chart! Now I found one!
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