Comments on: Ask The Audience: The Great Fabric Softener Debate

By: Sharlisha Ryan Bird

Sharlisha Ryan Bird — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:44:40 +0000

Costcos brand has the detergent

By: ThatBobbieGirl

ThatBobbieGirl — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:59:39 +0000

I don’t use anything as far as fabric softener, for several reasons:

First, I stopped using the grocery store stuff because of the chemicals.

Then, I stopped using the natural stuff from the health food store because it’s really expensive and I didn’t really notice a difference in using it or not using it.

Also, strong smells have really started bothering my husband and me these last few years. He can’t even stand it when I chew gum near him, and anything perfumy gives me a headache. (Can I possibly be the same girl who used to douse herself in Evyan’s White Shoulder’s before setting foot outside the house?)

Lastly, but not leastly, I’m having to be really careful about what goes on my skin or I just end up scratching myself silly from the itching. I wash my face with plain water and a washcloth – I kid you not.

DH talked about some system to hook up to the washer that makes silver ions to get your clothes clean without detergent or soap, plus it makes your clothes soft. I said “sure, let’s give it a whirl” but since it’s over $400, it hasnt’ happened yet, and I’m not holding my breath…

So I pretty much just use BiOKleen laundry powder to wash the clothes, and my imagination to soften them.

By: Ann O'Malley

Ann O'Malley — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:42:08 +0000

I use vinegar on all my clothes. I’ve noticed a huge difference in how soft all of my clothes and towels are. My clothes do not come out smelling like vinegar. Use one cup of vinegar at the start of the rinse cycle.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:52:47 +0000

In the summer no fabric softener on anything.

In the winter though I need to use a little just to control static cling. I buy a super cheap bottle of liquid softener, water it down by at least half. I cut up a sponge into about 1 inch squares and soak them in the watered down softener. I throw a square in the dryer with each load. That cheap bottle of fabric softener lasts forever!

By: Emily C

Emily C — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:33:41 +0000

We’re too cheap ’round here for either.

End of story.

Every couple of months I’ll do the towels once or twice with vinegar.

By: Mom of three

Mom of three — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:34:54 +0000

Jackie,
I use the TIDE HE, but haven’t seen the unscented. Will look when I go to the store next. Maybe they just haven’t started stocking it here yet.

By: Jackie W.

Jackie W. — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:19:44 +0000

@ Mom of three- I am 27 and have suffered from eczema my entire life…so unscented laundry detergent is a must for me. We have a front loader and I have found that using the HE Tide Free (it’s unscented and free of dyes) works just fine for me.

By: aimee

aimee — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:16:22 +0000

we don’t use any fabric softener. our new he machine doesn’t have a dispenser and my daughter has eczema…..seriously – no difference in the way the clothes feel. the towels come out fluffy and the clothes are just as soft. i use a bit less detergent than recommended and i think that helps….i do love the fresh laundry smell so we use ecos laundry detergent (magnolia & lily i think) even my husband noticed how great the clothes smell, and i love mrs. meyers too.

By: JayMonster

JayMonster — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:25:07 +0000

Mrs Meyers Clean Day Fabric Softener (liquid… they also have eco-friendly dryer sheets) Earth Friendly, available in a light (natural) scent or scent free. Works great, and still environmentally friendly.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:31:36 +0000

I have used vinegar for years as fabric softener. And no one here smells like vinegar when they sweat. If anything the vinegar neutralizes the smell that dirty laundry can have. If you are still concerned with the smell, just add some scented essential oil to the vinegar to get a different scent.