Laundry Basics

Freshman Year · Life Skills · Required Lesson

Laundry Basics

25–30 minutes Easy Required

Destination

By the end of this conversation, the mentee should be able to sort a load of laundry correctly and run a washer and dryer from start to finish.

Stop 1 of 4

Talk

Goal: Find out what the mentee already knows and what access they actually have—an in-unit machine, a shared laundry room, or a laundromat.

“Laundry isn’t complicated once you know the basic rules—it’s just that almost nobody explains them clearly the first time.”

Choose three to five questions

1. Have you ever done a full load of laundry by yourself, start to finish?
2. Where do you currently do laundry—a machine at home, a shared laundry room, or a laundromat?
3. Has a piece of clothing ever come out of the wash ruined? What happened?
4. Do you know how to read the little symbols on clothing tags?
5. What feels most confusing about doing laundry?
Mentor Tip: Access to laundry varies a lot—some mentees have an in-unit washer, others rely on a laundromat with coins or a card, and cost can be a real barrier. Keep the conversation realistic for their actual situation.

Stop 2 of 4

Learn

Sorting: the most important step

WhitesKeep separate—colors can bleed and dull or discolor white fabric
DarksDeep colors like black, navy, and dark denim
Lights & brightsEverything else—pastels, patterns, lighter colors

Also set aside anything delicate (like lace or fine knits) and check tags for anything marked “dry clean only” or “hand wash only.”

Route 21 Big Idea:
New, dark, or brightly colored items are the most likely to bleed. When in doubt, wash a new item alone the first time.

Water temperature guide

Choosing a Temperature
ColdDark colors, delicates, most everyday loads
WarmModerately dirty clothes, towels
HotWhites, bedding, heavily soiled items

The basics of a load

  • Don’t overstuff the machine—clothes need room to move for the detergent to work
  • Follow the detergent’s measuring line; more detergent doesn’t mean cleaner clothes
  • Treat visible stains before washing, not after—drying can set a stain permanently
  • Check pockets for tissues, papers, or anything that could melt or bleed

Drying

Check tags before tossing something in the dryer—some fabrics shrink or get damaged by heat. When unsure, air-drying is the safer default.

Laundromat basics: Bring exact change or a laundry card, and budget time to stay nearby—machines and unattended laundry can get taken. Most laundromats post wash and dry times so you can plan around them.

Stop 3 of 4

Try

Sort a practice pile

List a few real clothing items and sort them together using the categories from the Learn card.

Item 1___________
Item 2___________
Item 3___________
Item 4___________
Where will you actually be doing laundry, and what’s the biggest obstacle to doing it regularly?

Choose Your Route

Pick the video that best fits your time and interest today. You only need to watch one.

Level 1 · Quick Stop

How To Do Laundry for Beginners

Approximately 3–5 minutes

A quick, no-nonsense walkthrough of the basics of doing a load of laundry.

Watch the Quick Stop
Talk afterward: Was there a step you hadn’t thought about before?

Level 2 · Scenic Route

How to Use a Washing Machine: Full Tutorial

Approximately 8–10 minutes

A complete walkthrough of washing machine cycles and settings for first-time users.

Take the Scenic Route
Talk afterward: Does this match the type of machine you actually have access to?

Level 3 · Open Road

The Ultimate Laundry Guide

Approximately 10–15 minutes

A more in-depth guide covering sorting, washing, drying and folding from a lifestyle expert.

Explore the Open Road
Talk afterward: What’s one tip from the video you’d actually use?
Mentor Reminder: Let the mentee choose the route whenever possible. Practicing sorting real clothes above matters more than the video.

Stop 4 of 4

Grow

Reflection

What’s one laundry rule you’ll remember from today?
Where and how will you actually be doing laundry going forward?
Is there anything—cost, access, transportation—that makes laundry harder for you?
What questions do you still have?

Practice builds confidence

The first load or two might feel unfamiliar. After that, it becomes a normal part of the routine.

How can your mentor help?

How can Route 21 help?

Would basic laundry supplies or a laundry card/quarters be helpful to have on hand?
Mentor Wrap-Up:
Did the mentee practice sorting real items, not just discuss the concept? Did the conversation account for their actual laundry access and any cost barriers?