UK Edition: Laundry Labels and Washing Machine Settings, SEND, KS4 and Post-16

A laundry set for KS3, KS4 and post 16 SEND learners: reading the care symbols on UK clothing labels (30, 40 and 60 in the tub), choosing a washing machine programme, and working out what a load costs at a launderette.

Why I made this

A lot of young people leave school without ever reading the label inside a shirt, and the first shrunken jumper is an expensive way to learn. The symbols are a small picture language with a few simple rules: the number in the tub is the most heat the clothes can take, dots on the dryer and iron mean heat, and a cross means do not. Once learners know the rules, the washing machine dial makes sense too. I added a launderette price board because plenty of young adults start out in a flat or student halls without their own machine.

What's included

• Teacher page with a short note on the UK details

• Words to know: 10 key words with pictures (care label, care symbol, load, programme, delicates, temperature, washing liquid, bleach, tumble dry, shrink)

• 3 practice documents: a care symbol chart, four clothing labels (T shirt, jeans, wool jumper, sports top), and a washing machine guide with launderette prices and laundry safety

• 12 Level A questions with pictures and three choices

• The same 12 questions at Level B, with open answers and room to show working

• A real life task: choose the programme, temperature and drying for four labels, then read the label in your own clothes

• Answer key that shows where to find every answer

Two levels, same questions

Level A suits learners who need visual support and choices. Level B suits learners ready to write and show working. Because the questions match, the whole group can work from the same documents and go through the answers together.

How I use it

Bring in a pile of real clothes and get learners sorting them by label before they touch the worksheet. The wool jumper question is the one they remember, especially if you have a shrunken jumper to show them.

Who it is for

KS4, sixth form, FE college and post 16 SEND groups, learners on SEN Support, and supported internship or independent living programmes.

Please note

Launderette prices are made up but realistic for 2026. The safety box covers capsules and bleach; please give it a read before using it with your group.

What you download: one printable PDF, A4, answer key included. Licence: single teacher or setting.

Written by Jeremy D. Gooch, a teacher with 20+ years in education. Part of the Functional Life Skills UK series from The Transition Cliff.

Keywords: SEND, EHCP, Preparing for Adulthood, KS3, KS4, Post 16, laundry, washing clothes, care labels, care symbols, washing machine, tumble dryer, launderette, life skills, independent living, functional reading