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.

I was taught in the last year of primary school. I was shown how to sort the clothes in the wash basket, which settings to use on the machine, etc. That was my Friday night job!
At the start of secondary school, I learnt how to iron & every Sunday afternoon, I used to listen to the chart show on Radio 1 whilst I did the ironing.

Yes and I was and taught DS and DD at around age 10.

I know how to change a tyre. Last time I tried, it turned out I am physically incapable of undoing the nuts

Yes. that's why breakdown cover is essential. If you are unable to do it yourself, or don't want to.

Also checking oil level and tyre pressures and checking screenwash is topped up is something I've instilled in my DC. But that's safety so different to clean clothes I guess.

I and all five of my siblings (2M,4F) were proficient in laundry by age 13. We were shown how the machines worked, the care labels, sorting, and where to find the manuals for reference, even basic ironing. Not everyone did the laundry (division of chores according to age and inclination - others were cleaning, cooking etc alongside two FT working parents) but they could in an emergency. Mum and Dad ran a tight ship!

And of course I've taught my child!

Yep, my mum said just imagine the glass front divided in three bands, two bands filled with clothes and the third band free so as to not overload. We used a plastic cup thing in the washing machine back then for detergent in the nineties and where to put the softener, I taught my younger brother.

What about the dishwasher? Loading it correctly in this house is a serious business, no messing about. Should that be taught?!

No. I just read the manual when I moved out and got my own.

Oh, and my two and a half year old loads the washing machine for colour clothing and started by opening the drawer for detergent now she opens it and i give her the full cup and she pours it in and closes drawer, she also tries to put the program on but that is very random on which programme it might end. But as she grows she will do more and more. And yes by teen she will be perfectly capable just as I was.

I did Home Economics O Level 1979-81 which included interpreting laundry labels

Mum showed me how to use the machine at home & I showed DS years later.

He once sent me a picture of a badly hung up load of washing on a clothes horse after he'd gone to Uni, asking for advice

@AuntieMarys

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

So did we, I was terrified of it as a child. It ripped holes in clothes randomly. When it was replaced I was told how easy it would be to do my washing myself. I took the hint.

No every washing machine I’ve ever opened has been different I just check the manual for load size, programmes etc.

I wasn't taught. But I learned, because I wanted to get out of the abusive household I came from. It wasn't difficult.
Neither was cooking, though, and I was astonished how many people were unable to cook when I went to university.

No never taught
Just had to figure out when I moved out myself as a teenager

I think I just boil washed majority of my clothes for the first few years , not realizing there were cool wash and quick wash settings

But everything was super clean

No I wasn't taught but I taught my dd.

I actually don't remember but I presume so, I don't remember when I started doing my own washing. Both my kids were taught to use it when they were early teens though by me and DH

I showed my 11 year old a few weeks ago.
I'm pretty sure my mum showed me.

No, my mum didn't trust me to do it. If I wanted something clean as a teenager, I had to hand wash it in the bathroom sink.

I found them self explanatory when I moved out and could use one though. They have instructions on them. Adverts for the cleaning products make it clear you don't wash whites and colours together but I do after the first couple of washes. I don't read the labels either, I just wash everything at 30 degrees on the towel setting including my "dry clean only" stuff and everything comes out okay.

@Sparklingbrook

What about the dishwasher? Loading it correctly in this house is a serious business, no messing about. Should that be taught?!

Now that is an art.

Yes @SkiingIsHeaven, there should be proficiency tests and certificates before anyone is allowed to attempt it.

I wasn’t taught. I showed my daughter how. I think calling it teaching is a bit of a stretch really

I was shown how to sort washing, but not how to use the machine.

I have shown my children how to use the washing machine and tumble dryer, through. Especially the bit about cleaning out the lint between each use.

No - this might be an age thing though - we had a twin tub contraption at home! I learnt how to use a washing machine when I went away to university - there were instructions on the wall!

I have however done a photographic step by step guide on how to use the dishwasher and sent it to my kids as they claimed not to know how to do it.

I wasn't but I taught my kids around 16