Grade 5 Home Science Clothing β Laundry Work Notes
Home Science β Clothing
Subtopic: Laundry Work
These notes are for learners aged about 10 years in Kenya. Laundry work means looking after our clothes so they stay clean, last longer and look nice. Be careful and ask an adult for help when using hot water, strong soap, bleach or an iron.
- To remove dirt, sweat and smells π§Ό
- To keep clothes healthy and free from germs π
- To look tidy at school and at home β
- To take care of special clothes like kitenge or school uniform
Things we need
- Bucket or basin πͺ£
- Water (tap or collected rainwater) πΏ
- Soap bar or washing powder (detergent)
- Clothesline and pegs or a drying rack π
- Soft brush for small stains (optional)
Before you start β sorting clothes
Sort clothes into groups:
- White clothes (school shirts, white socks)
- Coloured clothes (kitenge, T-shirts)
- Delicate clothes (lace, special dresses)
- Very dirty clothes (muddy, oily)
Tip: Wash a new colourful kitenge on its own first β the colours can run.
How to wash clothes by hand β easy steps
- Pretreat stains: Put a little soap on the stain and rub gently. For mud, let it dry then brush off. For grease, ask an adult for help with a little dish soap.
- Soak: Fill a basin with water and add a little detergent. Soak clothes for 10β30 minutes.
- Wash: Rub the fabric gently together or use a soft brush on dirty parts (collars, cuffs).
- Rinse: Rinse in clean water until no soap bubbles remain.
- Wring: Squeeze out water by twisting or pressing firmly (ask an adult to show you how to avoid hurting your hands).
- Dry: Hang on a clothesline in the sun. Peg clothes well so they don't fall. Sunshine helps kill germs and dries clothes faster π.
Using a washing machine (if you have one)
Sort clothes, add the right amount of detergent, choose a gentle wash for delicate clothes, and always dry clothes well. An adult should help you load and start the machine.
Stain help β what to do
- Mud: Let dry, brush off, then wash.
- Ink: Ask an adultβsometimes alcohol or special remover is used.
- Grease/oil: Put a little dish soap on the spot, rub, then wash.
- Blood: Rinse in cold water first, then wash (do not use hot water).
Safety and care
- Always ask an adult before using bleach or strong chemicals β
- Do not mix very bright colours with whites β they may stain.
- Keep soap and detergents away from eyes and mouth.
- Ask an adult to iron clothes β irons are hot and can burn you π₯.
Take one old T-shirt:
- Sort with similar colours.
- Put soap on a small dirty spot and rub gently.
- Soak for 10 minutes, then wash and rinse.
- Wring and hang to dry.
Look at how clean it becomes β you helped care for your clothes! π§Ί
Remember
Laundry work keeps clothes fresh and healthy. Being careful with water and soap helps your family and the environment. Always ask for help when you are not sure.
Icons: π§Ί basket, π sun, πΏ water, π₯ hot/iron, β good practice