General Discussion

DawgHouse

(4,019 posts)

29. I quit buying fabric softener and use vinegar instead

Reply to madokie (Original post)

Wed Aug 27, 2014, 07:39 AM

Aug 2014

Last edited Wed Aug 27, 2014, 08:43 AM - Edit history (1)

A bonus to using vinegar is it keeps my front loader from that horrible mildew smell they are prone to getting.

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There Might Be a Scary Downside to Fabric Softener Sheets [View all] madokie Aug 2014 OP

A friend swears by 2-4 tennis balls in the dryer for softening. GeorgeGist Aug 2014 #1

I wonder what they add to the air as they heat up madokie Aug 2014 #2

Agreed!! Dale Neiburg Aug 2014 #4

Thanks I'll have to tell my wife that madokie Aug 2014 #8

Felted wool dryer balls are quieter than tennis balls curlyred Aug 2014 #10

Not just softening leftynyc Aug 2014 #12

They work, but they won't take static cling out of plastic clothing Warpy Aug 2014 #77

It's all about the scent. Is there any evidence that they actually soften anything? cbayer Aug 2014 #3

Our cat loves 'em tularetom Aug 2014 #5

Those things are toxic to animals. democrat in Tallahassee Aug 2014 #41

Yup--my dogs will try to eat them out of the basket. I use them for fragrance, TwilightGardener Aug 2014 #50

Use less detergent so that one rinse is necessary OR fadedrose Aug 2014 #69

Keep Her Away From Fire otohara Aug 2014 #56

Nah, we're just gonna quit using the fabric softener sheets tularetom Aug 2014 #63

Interesting. onlyadream Aug 2014 #6

They discolored my towels and sheets HockeyMom Aug 2014 #7

If I had my way about things we wouldn't use them either madokie Aug 2014 #9

I no longer use dryer sheets, too. PADemD Aug 2014 #13

I'll be darn. I thought I was the only one who got an itchy rash from those things. BlueJazz Aug 2014 #34

I suffered for a year... Ino Aug 2014 #59

OMG same here pipi_k Aug 2014 #60

I don't get the desire for soft clothes. canoeist52 Aug 2014 #11

I really wish I could have a yeoman6987 Aug 2014 #47

I've started using dryer balls sometime ago they work better..... Historic NY Aug 2014 #14

LOL they should repel us as well... marions ghost Aug 2014 #16

And then there's that nasty chemical "potpourri" marions ghost Aug 2014 #15

Odoban>>> alternative to Febreeze. It's natural. Developed for use in kennels and animal shelters KittyWampus Aug 2014 #23

Thanks for the tip marions ghost Aug 2014 #51

+1 "Fresh" cannot be bought in a product. " canoeist52 Aug 2014 #61

They're fracking our laundry!! TransitJohn Aug 2014 #17

I dry my clothes cwydro Aug 2014 #18

Me too, except for undies and socks. KittyWampus Aug 2014 #24

I use liquid fabric softener. Quantess Aug 2014 #19

I use liquid if I use it tammywammy Aug 2014 #21

Towels are the only thing I don't want softened. Quantess Aug 2014 #39

No need to buy it anymore, just use white vinegar. KittyWampus Aug 2014 #25

Vinegar doesn't smell good. (no text) Quantess Aug 2014 #38

No smell in laundry, promise. Doesn't do anything for static cling though. KittyWampus Aug 2014 #58

As Someone In That Industry . . . ProfessorGAC Aug 2014 #49

Another non-essential item to cross off my shopping list. Thanks for posting! randome Aug 2014 #20

And the answer is... CanSocDem Aug 2014 #22

best solution I've seen on this thread ecstatic Aug 2014 #40

That crap smells like poison. roody Aug 2014 #26

++100 Duppers Aug 2014 #28

Because It Is Poison - All Petro Fragrance Products otohara Aug 2014 #57

Some people don't use them for the scent OnionPatch Aug 2014 #64

I'm so allergic to the damn things that... Duppers Aug 2014 #27

I know someone like you marions ghost Aug 2014 #53

yes! I also have to close my windows if the neighbors Duppers Aug 2014 #66

It is air pollution marions ghost Aug 2014 #73

I quit buying fabric softener and use vinegar instead DawgHouse Aug 2014 #29

I'll have to try that idea. Hugin Aug 2014 #31

I just put vinegar right in the fabric softener compartment. DawgHouse Aug 2014 #45

I can't even be in the house when a dryer is running with scented dryer sheets in it. Hugin Aug 2014 #30

Same here, I can't stand the smell of fabric softeners. n/t RKP5637 Aug 2014 #35

Another vinegar person here JustAnotherGen Aug 2014 #32

For me, I'm horribly allergic to fabric softeners, break out in hives/itches all over. Not RKP5637 Aug 2014 #33

A bit of laundry soap on a washcloth acts the same WhiteTara Aug 2014 #36

Have not used a clothes drier in years. Plenty of sunshine and plenty of time. CBGLuthier Aug 2014 #37

You don't live in Chicago mucifer Aug 2014 #42

No, the land of the constant broiling sun. Oklahoma. CBGLuthier Aug 2014 #43

Beware the scary Downey Side, Luke pinboy3niner Aug 2014 #44

Too much marbles in hand fumbling. maced666 Aug 2014 #46

I live a few floors above my building's laundry room and the fake scents drift up all the time freeplessinseattle Aug 2014 #48

Is Your Health Being Destroyed by Other People’s Toxic Fragrances? otohara Aug 2014 #52

Oh no! What will I put in my zoob tube if I don't use dryer sheets? Taitertots Aug 2014 #54

So I shouldn't have been using those as toilet paper all these years? snooper2 Aug 2014 #55

Well, why not? pipi_k Aug 2014 #62

I never use them in my laundry Mr.Bill Aug 2014 #65

Sweet, thanks for the tip. My jeep attracts lots of bugs. (nt) Inkfreak Aug 2014 #68

They make my eyes itch mcar Aug 2014 #67

Wow marions ghost Aug 2014 #74

Remember to *never* use fabric softener on towels. moriah Aug 2014 #70

I bought a pair of these guys recently frazzled Aug 2014 #71

They stink so bad they make me gag arikara Aug 2014 #72

I'm highly allergic to those things tabbycat31 Aug 2014 #75

I just use a three grated bars of Castile soap mixed in a bin hedgehog Aug 2014 #76