A new poll has revealed that one in five young adults do not know how to use a washing machine, with many relying on unusual tactics to avoid doing laundry after leaving home.
The survey of 1,000 18-30-year-olds who have flown the nest found that 69% avoided doing washing after moving out. To prevent mishaps, 33% did not do any laundry in the first few weeks or even months after leaving home, while 16% wore their entire wardrobe before finally putting a wash load on.
Unusual tactics to avoid washing
Instead of washing their clothes, nearly one in five (19%) attempted to freshen them up with body spray or deodorant, and 10% even avoided social plans because they had nothing clean to wear.
The survey also revealed that 33% of young adults had little to no experience using a washing machine, with 32% worried they would ruin their clothes. Additionally, 28% struggled to choose the right setting, feeling unsure about what temperature to use and how much detergent to add.
Expert advice on laundry habits
The research was commissioned by Dr Beckmann, which is launching the Sheets & Beats Launderette pop-up foam party in an East London laundrette on 20th October, featuring DJ Louis Bekk.
Chloe Baker from the laundry expert company said: “Moving out is both exciting and overwhelming. Suddenly, you’re expected to know how to do all the things that used to just happen in the background.
“But putting off washing for two to three weeks isn’t the answer, and can lead to stains setting and smells brewing, which are harder to shift and can damage clothes if left untreated.
“With the right tools, you can take the worry out of washing.”
Common mishaps and reliance on family
Nine in 10 of those polled have experienced some kind of washing mishap since moving out, including leaving tissues in pockets, colours running, or having to rewash a load because their clothes weren't cleaned properly.
As a result, youngsters rely on advice from family members to get it right. In fact, 43% have called a family member at least once a week after first moving out for advice on household tasks, including cooking (30%), laundry (29%), and budgeting (27%).
A separate poll of 1,000 parents of children aged 18-30 who have moved out or are planning to found that 24% were worried about how their child would look after themselves. Of those with grown-up kids at home, 62% admitted they still do their child’s laundry, and 45% are willing to wash their adult child’s clothes for them when they visit home.
Clem Wade, a university preparation expert who has teamed with Dr Beckmann, said: “Leaving home for the first time marks a huge shift from being managed to managing yourself, and it catches even the most academically able students off guard.
“Most young people have very little experience of laundry, cooking, or basic life admin, and I’ve helped people through everything from how to empty a black bin, to laundry lessons about separating whites and colours.
“If I could give one piece of advice to parents, it would be to help their kids prepare for moving out by doing run-throughs before they leave.
“One wash, one shop, one meal cooked start to finish, and send them off with the essentials they need to thrive.”
