Parenting Perspective 

The infamous ‘clothes chair’, that space where clean and dirty garments blend, is not a sign of laziness but of confusion. Children often do not know what to do with clothes that are neither fresh from the wardrobe nor ready for the laundry basket. Teaching a small, repeatable system transforms this clutter into calm and helps children develop a sense of care for their belongings. 

Define Three Clear Homes for Clothes 

Children succeed when their choices are simple and visible. Set up three distinct stations for their clothing: 

• Clean: Clothes that are folded in drawers or hung properly in the wardrobe. 

• Worn-again: A labelled hook or a small, designated basket for items that can be reused, such as pyjamas or jumpers. 

• Dirty: The main laundry basket where soiled items belong. 

For younger children, use picture labels to make the system intuitive. This visual clarity prevents the hesitation that often leads to mess. 

Build a Quick Daily Habit 

Establish a one-minute routine at the same time every day, such as just before bedtime. You can announce it by saying, ‘Let us give each piece of clothing a home for the night’. To increase the chances of success, keep baskets and hooks near the area where clothes are usually changed. The shorter the distance, the more likely the habit will stick. Introduce a fun cue, like a song, a timer, or a playful countdown, to keep the mood light and avoid nagging. 

Model What You Expect 

Children are more influenced by the atmosphere you create than by the instructions you give. When they see you calmly putting your own clothes away, they learn to imitate both the action and the tone. Use gentle narration to explain your process, for example, ‘This jumper is going back on the shelf, and this shirt will be washed tomorrow’. Consistency is the quiet teacher that repetition amplifies. 

Link Tidiness to Responsibility 

Explain that caring for clothes keeps them fresh, saves time, and shows gratitude for our blessings. Frame it in a meaningful way by saying, ‘Allah gave us these clothes as a blessing, and we look after them to thank Him’. This approach helps your child see order as a sign of respect and care, turning a mundane task into a thoughtful act of stewardship. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, cleanliness and care are considered forms of worship. Every item of clothing is a trust (amanah) from Allah Almighty, serving as protection, provision, and a test of our gratitude. Teaching children to handle their clothes with care nurtures both discipline and humility. 

Quranic Guidance 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Aa’raaf (7), Verses 31: 

‘O children of Adam, take (appropriate) measures to beautify yourself (before you appear) at any place of worship (for Prayer); and eat and drink and do not be extravagant (wasteful), as indeed, He (Allah Almighty) does not like extravagance.’ 

This verse encourages balance and moderation in all things, advising against both waste and neglect. When a child folds or sorts their clothes, they are practising the moderation and dignity that Islam values in all aspects of life. 

Prophetic Example 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3605, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Eat, drink, give charity, and wear clothes, but without arrogance or extravagance.’ 

This Hadith beautifully reinforces the importance of using our blessings mindfully, without pride or wastefulness. By caring for their clothes through washing, folding, and storing them gently, children learn humility in ownership and gratitude in their daily routines. 

Making Order a Habit of the Heart 

Conclude the nightly ‘clothes check’ with a soft Alhamdulillah. This simple act transforms tidiness from a household rule into an act of remembrance. Over time, your child will come to see order not as a demand for perfectionism, but as a source of peace and a small, daily way of honouring the blessings Allah Almighty has placed in their hands.