doodles

I don't have a lot to say some days some days are strictly visual.  This is one of those days.

 Well I guess this one has a lot to say in itself.  so...

Laundry Instructional

Yesterday I posted about the Bathroom cleaning instructional.

Today I want to share the how to for Laundry.

Even if Boy doesn't get his own home for years and doesn't have his own washer and dryer until he's 35, he will always have clothes.  He needs to look (and smell) good.  I don't want him to be the kid who brings home ginormous bags of laundry when he visits. 

How to do Laundry

Sort laundry according to color and type of clothes.  Whites, dark colors and reds, medium colored, towels, and jeans.  (towels and jeans can be combined, or alternately jeans can be added to medium or darks according to color if you can't make a full load)

Treat any stains.  Spray stain treatment on the spot and rub in slightly.

Empty pockets. Rules are, money goes to the one doing the laundry.  You find it – you keep it.

Wash dark colors on cold always.  1 cup of detergent in the tub, and ¼ cup of softener in the middle filled the rest of the way with water.

Wash medium colored clothes on cold.  1 cup of detergent in the tub, and ¼ cup of softener in the middle filled the rest of the way with water.

Wash whites on hot.  1 cup of detergent in the tub, and ¼ cup of softener in the middle filled the rest of the way with water.  If necessary add ½ cup of bleach to the load when the water is full.

Wash towels on warm.  1 cup of detergent in the tub, and ¼ cup of softener in the middle filled the rest of the way with water.

Wash jeans on cold.  1 cup of detergent in the tub, and ¼ cup of softener in the middle filled the rest of the way with water.

If clothes are nasty (urine, excess sweat or dirt, or are sour) add ½ cup of color safe bleach to the detergent.

Transfer clothes to the dryer as soon as possible to avoid sour laundry.  Our dryer may need 2 cycles if the load is very full or if the clothes are heavy.

Hang clothes as soon as they are dry to avoid wrinkles.  Hang everyone's clothes together to make putting away simpler.  Hang clothes to be ironed separately so they get ironed before they are put away.

Fold all of the rest of the clothes. Everyone puts away their own clothes, unless you are feeling generous. 

Instructions for Kids on How to Clean the Bathroom

My sons have daily chore lists.  Most kids have chores of some sort.  Over the past couple of years I have realized that these chores, originally meant primarily to teach responsibility and community have now become instructionals for life. 

My oldest boy will be 16 in a few months.  That means that he will be a legal adult in a little over two years.  I had to ask myself, "Is he ready to be an adult?"  The answer was not just no, but a resounding, "HECK NO!!!"  He has no idea how to do his own laundry, cook anything, clean anything, or take care of himself in any capacity.  I had equipped him to feed dogs and chickens, and to get a job washing cars or mowing lawns.  I was neglecting the basics.  

The chore lists have been reassessed, and one of the new responsibilities for my soon-to-be-of-driving-age son is the cleaning of the bathroom.  I hate to repeat myself, but I find that I am pretty good at writing instruction manuals, so this is now taped to the back of my bathroom door.  I have gotten several requests for it, so here it is.  

How to Clean the Bathroom

1.           Shake out rugs, set in hall.

2.           Sweep out floor.

3.           Squirt toilet bowl cleaner into the toilet bowl, up under the rim.

4.           Spray bathroom cleaner in the tub and shower area, concentrate on any mildew or soap scum.

5.           Spray bathroom cleaner on sink area.

6.           Spray bathroom cleaner on toilet:  Handle, seat, under seat, and outside of bowl.

7.           Wipe down sink area with a rag. Rinse.

8.           Wipe down tub/shower area. Rinse.

9.           Scrub inside of toilet with toilet brush.

10.  Wipe down toilet in this order:  Handle, seat, under seat, outside of bowl, rim of toilet. (least germs to most)

11.  Spray mirror with Windex and wipe with a paper towel.

12.  Damp mop floor.  When dry, replace rugs.

Feel free to copy and paste. 

Mwah!