Chores for kids & teenagers: age-appropriate laundry chores

For most families, laundry shows up on the daily to-do list, making it the perfect opportunity for chores for kids. Nearly every age group can pitch in to help with laundry chores—whether you’re letting your toddler “help” unload the dryer or teaching a teen the ins and outs of stain removal. 

This list of age-appropriate laundry chores for kids provides a loose guideline for getting the whole family to help out in the laundry room. Most importantly, always keep safety in mind when kids help with laundry and review your Use and Care guide if you have any questions regarding the operation of your appliance.

Read through or jump down to your age group of interest.

Chores for kids 18 months–3 years old

It may take longer to get the job done, but letting an eager toddler help with simple laundry chores is a great way for them to learn about household chores and helping others. You can also use this as an opportunity to teach them about basic laundry safety.

Chores for this age include:

Chores for kids 4–5 years old

Preschool age kids are likely learning about colors, shapes and numbers. Make a fun game out of sorting clothes by color and type to work on these skills and teach them more laundry chores.

Chores for this age include:

Chores for kids 6–7 years old

Kids in elementary school can start taking more responsibility for their own clothes, specifically making sure that dirty and clean clothes make it to where they need to be.

Chores for this age include:

Chores for kids 8–13 years old

Around this age, kids gain more independence and can learn how to actually run the washer and dryer. Help them choose the right cycles for each load by using a family laundry chore chart.

Chores for this age include:

Chores for teenagers 14–18 years old

Teenagers should be able to tackle most laundry tasks on their own. At this point, they can help with ironing, mending torn clothes and using the right treatment for stains. You can also teach them how to read fabric labels in order to give their clothes the right kind of care.

Chores for this age include:

Explore Whirlpool^® washers and dryers

Whirlpool^® washers and dryers were designed with your family's needs in mind. Whether you're looking for a standalone appliance or want to explore the convenience of space-saving washer and dryer combos, appliances by Whirlpool brand can help you give your family’s laundry the care it deserves.