Were you taught to use a washing machine

[Justreadingtheforum3]

Please settle this argument between my husband and me.

Were you taught/shown to use a washing properly as a child? On how to not overload it, setting, temperature etc?

He said "no child in the history of the world has been taught to use a washing machine" his exact words.

I said its basic life skills.

Yabu = no I wasnt taught
Yanbu = yes I was taught

Ps he does use the washing machine and regularly washes. It's not a husband bashing thread.

Yes I think so. Taught how to sort laundry, where to put in the detergent and how much, what wash prog to use.

No I don't think so.

I hit mid teens and my mum was like time for you to do your washing (although she would iron my school uniform). I was shown where to put the soap powder/softener and which button to press. It was always set to the correct settings so I just had to press start, so I didn't learn about over filling/temp.

No I wasn’t taught how to use it. But it’s common sense, surely....?

We had a twin tub! I used it from about 14. Both my dcs could use the washing machine from.that age too

Not in as much detail, but yes I was taught how to turn it on at least!

I wasn't taught. It's not rocket science.

I’m sure my mum will have told me to put dark/whites in separately but no one taught me how to use a machine, they are all different. I remember struggling with the ones at uni. Surely that’s what the instruction book is for?

I wasn’t specifically taught but I paid attention to what my parents did so was able to do it myself. I can remember a couple of my siblings being shown these things explicitly though.

Yes I was and so were my brothers but we never had to do the washing, just know how, and occasionally we'd have to put it out on the line when it was finished.

I can’t really remember! But I am showing DD (12yrs) how to use it, so that disproves your DH’s assertion!

No. It's not like it is complicated enough to need a lesson in.

I wasn't as my mum and dad didn't have a washing machine until after I went to university.

I wasn’t taught but I can read so just started using it as a teen. But I do show my kids because I want them to do their own washing earlier than I did.

I was given a full briefing by MIL when I used their washing machine, including the pros and cons of each setting, but that was more machine-specific than because I didn’t know how to do it.

I was taught it. My mum told me to put the washing in, let me know which setting was the best one, how much detergent to put in, and in which slot. It didn’t take long but I would have been confused otherwise. I would think a lot of people were taught it, it’s not like it takes more than two minutes though, it’s just giving instructions.

No, it’s something you pick up while watching an adult do it
Like cooking and other housework

Yep I was shown how a washing machine works before my teens. My oh wasn't though and I had to show him 🤣🤣

Some children don’t watch though

In Textiles at school we were taught what all of the icons on clothing labels mean. My mum showed me which section was for soap powder and which was was for fabric conditioner.

Yes my mum showed me when I was younger. The settings, where to put detergent and fabric softener etc

Just expected to be able to read the front of it and figure it out! Same as toaster, cooker etc...?! The only thing I remember specifically being shown how to use was the heating timer and how to re-set a tripped switch. My parents expected us to use our initiative!

No. But all washing machines are different, and it's not that hard to work out is it, not exactly a life skill that has to be handed down.

No I wasn’t. But I could see the size of loads my parents put in/knew what I pulled out of I was asked to hang it up so I think I instinctively knew not to overload. I was also a slightly odd child who wanted to know what all the symbols meant (in labels and the machines) though so I think I kind of taught myself to use one.

With DD, I have shown her how to use it, what the different drawer compartments are for etc because she asked.

For those saying it’s common sense - well yes, agree it’s not the hardest life skill, but I think you do need to know to check washing labels for clothes which say “delicates” or “30 degrees”, don’t mix whites and darks (and I do a “lights” too), the right quantity of powder, I always set it on the “ fast wash” setting as it seems to wash the clothes fine and presumably uses less electricity /water. Which it’s easier if someone explains to you rather than working that all out.