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.

Nope, entirely self-taught.

It's not really something that needs much explanation of you've seen others do it tbh.

Never shown specifically, But i knew to sort lights and darks and not to over load. When i moved out and bought my first washing machine (at 18) i read the manual to know how to use it and what all the buttons did. I can guarantee my DP has never read a washing machine manual in his life

I was taught how to change a tyre though. Much more useful.

No, I don't think I was ever shown. A lot of it is machine specific so not sure it's basic life skills, just an ability to read an instruction manual

We started married life with a twin tub which I knew how to work as it was exactly like the one we had at home and I had helped with laundry since I was small. I guess I just had to figure out our first automatic washing machine!

We had a twin-tub till 1985 when my grandmother moved in. I remember being specifically instructed on how to load the spinner but I never learnt to run the washing half.

We all figured out the new-fangled thing together

Yes I don’t know that people instinctively know the difference between different fabrics and washing requirements, or necessarily pick it up by watching someone else. Unless you have a parent who voices their every thought out loud I suppose

No. I just learned BUT we didn’t have a washing machine for several periods as a child and went to the laundrette with my mum so understood sorting and the machines had sighs about not over filling so I must’ve imbibed it.

My DH was taught in early teens.

No, I worked it out for myself. I've always had basic models, always used gel detergent, always separated colours from lights etc. It's not difficult.

I did learn to check washing labels before buying and never to buy anything that said dry clean only from copying my mother however :-)

No. Had to figure it out via trial and error when I moved out. Still have pangs of concern that I’m not doing it right, for example I have no idea what laundry liquid is or how to use it, I just use powder and softener.

Yes, about 8 years old same as my brothers.

By teens if we hadn't put our dirty clothes in the washing basket, (big wash day Sunday) then we had dirty clothes and had to do our own washing.

I've taught my DC the basics, and the same applies, DH and me don't go collecting their clothes from their rooms, so they put their own washing on when they have been lazy and suddenly realise they have nothing to wear.

I remember Mum's twin tub. I was very little but the clouds of steam and the wooden tongs were terrifying. I have no idea how you worked them.

I was. I remember my mum showing me how to sort washing and how washing instructions work

I didn’t really get taught how to, I was about 11 years old and my mum was rushing out of the house and dumped a basket of laundry in front of me and said “put the washing on” and when I asked how to do it she said “ask your dad”, so I asked my dad and he said “just pour the detergent in the the drawer and press any button, they all do the same thing.”... so that’s what I did! 15 years later who knows whether I’m actually using a washing machine correctly or not, all my clothes come out clean and intact so I assume I’m doing it right😂

No, because as a child, we took our washing to the laundrette.
As an adult, I read the instructions.
After white clothes came out coloured, I started reading the labels properly regarding washing, and sorting washing into coloured and type.
After shrinking my DHs cashmere jumper, I now hand wash expensive cashmere stuff.

No. Wasn’t taught. Read the owners manual.

We had a twin tub so we were loading it with mum at about 12 but also at school, a fucking grammar school! Whilst the boys did technical drawing!

Every holiday rental i have to work out how to use the washing machine/dishwasher I very often refer to the manuals.

When myself and my sister were teens, our parents were both working and we were given 1 or 2 jobs to do each day. Sometimes that included the washing.

Back then (80s) we had a twin tub washing machine which was a complete palaver. So yes, I was taught how to use a washing machine.

I can still remember going to the laundrette when I was a student and being amazed at how easy to use the washing machines were compared to our old twin tub.

When I was young we helped and that included washing. Ok I am vintage and we started with a twintub. Dh remembers how they were used.
So yes it is normal to know and use a washing machine.
I showed our kids and dh needs his glasses to use it but I find it strange that anyone wouldn't know how to use one.

Nope, I just learnt from seeing mum do it

I wasn't but I just kind of...worked it out?!

All my kids can use the washing.machine. I taught them what goes where and what button to push

Surely as you get older you end up adding washing powder. Or put it on extra spin or hang out a load. You must seen it thousands of time. Clothes in, powder in, select a wash that’s written on front, close door. I don’t see how you can spent 18y in a home and never notice how to use a daily used appliance.