Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 9
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Clothing and Textiles
Curriculum Theme: Clothing and Textiles
Previous Lesson: Household Laundry: Laundering Processes and Care Labels.
Topic: LAUNDRY FINISHING
Subject Matter: types of finishing including ironing pressing and airing, rules for ironing and storing clothes, machine wash finishing, dry cleaning
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain:
- Define laundry finishing.
- List different types of laundry finishing methods.
- State the rules for ironing clothes.
- Identify appropriate storage practices for finished garments.
Affective Domain:
- Appreciate the importance of proper laundry finishing for garment longevity.
- Practice safe ironing habits.
Psychomotor Domain:
- Demonstrate basic ironing techniques.
- Apply appropriate finishing methods for different fabric types.
Social Domain:
- Share knowledge on proper garment care with peers.
Reference Materials
The following resources were used in planning this lesson:
- 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools.
- State Unified Scheme of Work for Clothing and Textiles SSS 1.
- Adelakun, A.O. (2018). *Clothing and Textiles for Senior Secondary Schools*. Ibadan: University Press PLC.
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Charts illustrating laundry finishing methods.
- An iron and ironing board (optional, for demonstration).
- Sample garments requiring different finishing methods.
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps pupils understand how to properly finish laundered clothes. Knowing correct finishing and storage methods ensures garments look neat, last longer, and maintain their quality, which is important for personal appearance and managing household textiles.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils are assumed to have basic knowledge of laundry processes such as washing and drying clothes.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
LAUNDRY FINISHING
Definition of Laundry Finishing
Laundry finishing refers to the final processes applied to garments and household textiles after washing and drying to make them presentable, neat, and ready for use or storage. It improves their appearance and feel.
Types of Laundry Finishing
The following are common types of laundry finishing:
- Ironing: The process of removing wrinkles from fabric using heat and pressure from an iron.
- Pressing: Similar to ironing, but involves lifting and placing the iron rather than gliding, often used for delicate fabrics or tailored garments to prevent stretching.
- Airing: Allowing garments to hang in a well-ventilated area to remove dampness or odors, especially for items not requiring ironing.
- Machine Wash Finishing: Techniques like tumble drying on specific settings, using fabric softeners, or steam cycles in washing machines to reduce wrinkles.
- Dry Cleaning: A process that cleans clothes using a chemical solvent rather than water, often followed by pressing or steaming.
Rules for Ironing Clothes
The following rules should be observed when ironing clothes:
- Check garment care labels for ironing instructions.
- Sort clothes by fabric type and recommended ironing temperature (low to high).
- Ensure the iron is clean to avoid staining clothes.
- Use an ironing board with a clean, padded cover.
- Iron dark clothes inside out to prevent shine marks.
- Iron embroidery and delicate details on the wrong side or with a pressing cloth.
- Use a spray bottle with water or steam for stubborn wrinkles.
- Start with small areas like collars, cuffs, and plackets before ironing larger sections.
- Hang or fold clothes immediately after ironing to prevent new wrinkles.
Rules for Storing Clothes after Finishing
The following rules should be observed when storing finished clothes:
- Ensure clothes are completely dry before storing to prevent mildew.
- Hang garments that wrinkle easily, such as shirts, dresses, and trousers, on appropriate hangers.
- Fold knitwear and heavy items to prevent stretching.
- Store clothes in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated wardrobe or drawer.
- Avoid overcrowding wardrobes to allow air circulation.
- Use garment bags for delicate or infrequently worn items.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what they usually do to their clothes after washing and drying them to make them look neat. The teacher writes down their responses on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning activities like ironing, folding, or hanging.
Learning Point: Pupils recall prior experiences related to garment care.
Step 2: Presentation of Topic and Objectives
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Information Giving
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher announces the topic as “Laundry Finishing” and writes it on the board. The teacher then states the specific objectives for the lesson, explaining what pupils are expected to learn by the end of the period.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and copy the topic and objectives into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils are aware of the lesson’s focus and expected learning outcomes.
Step 3: Explanation of Laundry Finishing
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines laundry finishing, explaining its purpose in making clothes presentable and extending their lifespan. The definition from the board summary is used.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions for clarity.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning and importance of laundry finishing.
Step 4: Discussion of Types of Laundry Finishing
Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses the charts on laundry finishing to discuss and explain the different types, including ironing, pressing, airing, machine wash finishing, and dry cleaning. The teacher may demonstrate with sample garments if available.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the charts, participate in the discussion, and identify the various finishing methods.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify and differentiate between various laundry finishing methods.
Step 5: Elaboration on Rules for Ironing Clothes
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the important rules for safe and effective ironing, referring to the board summary. The teacher may briefly demonstrate correct handling of an iron (without power) and sorting garments.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe, and note down the rules for ironing.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the correct and safe procedures for ironing clothes.
Step 6: Discussion on Storing Finished Clothes
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Question and Answer/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on how to properly store clothes after they have been finished, emphasizing the importance of keeping them dry and wrinkle-free. The teacher highlights the rules for storing clothes.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute ideas and learn the proper ways to store finished garments.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the best practices for storing clothes to maintain their quality.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:
- What is laundry finishing?
- Mention three types of laundry finishing methods.
- State two important rules to observe when ironing clothes.
- List two ways to properly store clothes after they have been finished.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of proper laundry finishing for garment care. The teacher assigns homework: “Research and write down the different types of fabrics and their appropriate ironing temperatures.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are given a task to reinforce understanding.
Lesson Keywords
- Laundry Finishing – The final processes applied to garments after washing and drying to make them presentable and neat.
- Ironing – Using heat and pressure from an iron to remove wrinkles from fabric.
- Pressing – A finishing technique involving lifting and placing the iron, often used for delicate fabrics.
- Airing – Allowing garments to hang in a well-ventilated area to remove dampness or odors.
- Dry Cleaning – A cleaning process that uses chemical solvents instead of water.
Differentiation
For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, they can be asked to research specific ironing temperatures for various fabrics. For those requiring more support, the teacher will provide simplified instructions and allow for peer-assisted learning during the discussion phases.
Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Ensure that safety precautions related to using an iron are clearly communicated, even if a live demonstration is not possible. Encourage pupils to share their home experiences with laundry finishing to make the lesson relatable. Visual aids like actual garments or pictures can greatly enhance understanding.

Community Join the conversation Open discussion +