Teach Children to Clean

Between 6 and 8 years of age, children can master these additional tasks:
-Keep their play areas or bedrooms tidy
-Water house plants
-Make beds (using bedspreads)
-Sort laundry
-Put clean clothing away
-Assist with simple food preparation (tear lettuce, make sandwiches)
-Fold socks, shirts, and pants
-Help wash the car

9- to 10-year-olds are ready to:
-Change sheets
-Clean bathtub and sinks
-Help cook meals
-Prepare simple snacks
-Wash dishes
-Load the dishwasher
-Polish silver
-Vacuum
-Sweep floors with broom and dustpan
-Help with yard work (rake leaves, pull weeds)

From 11 and up, train teens to do “adult” chores. They’ll squawk on the outside, but feel pride on the inside as they master real-life skills. With teaching, teens can:
-Plan and cook family meals
-Do their own laundry using the washing machine and dryer
-Wash windows
-Replace light bulbs
-Polish furniture
-Wash hard-surface floors
-Clean garages and outbuildings
-Wash, wax, and detail cars