http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10056.html
Fabric Softeners
posted by Annie B. Bond Aug 10, 2007 12:00 am
Pat B., VT asks:
Annie: Fabric softeners make me feel so sick! Help! What is with them? What do I use instead?
Join the crowd! I receive so many similar emails about this! Maybe one reason is that the smell so many hate covers up some quite toxic materials, as well as being a synthetic blend of chemicals itself. I have never used fabric softeners. I think this is because I wear mostly natural fibers, which don’t get static cling, the main fabric softener fix. Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and lycra, are prone to get full of static.
Also, the actual scouring of the fabric in the washing machine will soften the fabric, and the dryer fluffs the fabric even more. Fabric softeners add a chemical to the fabric to “soften” them even more, even when there is no need.
Most fabric softeners add a film to the fabric, which can actually accumulate and dull the colors. Many complain that clothes are left greasy because of this. Fabric softeners also add a huge toxic load to the environment of your home and clothing, from powerful fragrances to suspected cancer-causing neurotoxic chemicals such as toluene and styrene.
The three main ingredients found in fabric softeners are surfactants (used in detergents), fragrance, and undenatured ethyl alcohol. The later is suspected of causing many health problems, from being a liver toxicant to an endocrine disrupter.
The chemicals in fabric softener chemically manipulate the fabric to be softer, and many of you like that. What to Do?
Choose Green Products
Happily there are some green fabric softeners on the market from companies full of integrity. Products include those from Seventh Generation and Ecover, and are found in health food stores and some supermarkets. Do-It-Yourself
Fabric softeners are acidic, so adding ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse water is one way to experiment with replacing commercial fabric softeners. Another idea floating around the internet is to saturate 1 teaspoon of a natural hair conditioner on a small rag, and put that into the dryer as a homemade dryer sheet. We would love your feedback about whether these work, and what other ideas you have. Please add to the comments on this article!
Annie B.
Melissa
Jana
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Eric
Andrew
Dave
Robyn
Deepak
14 comments
add your comment »I've been using Epsom Salts (magnesium sulphate) as a fabric softener, with good results. We never tumble-dry but always line-dry. I realize, however, that not everyone is in a position to do that.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
WE LINE DRY AS WELL. MY HUSBAND SAID HIS GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS HUN THE SHEETS DRAPED OVER THE LILAC BUSHES TO DRY THERE..HOW HEAVENLY THEY MUST HAVE SMELLED. I WILL TRY IT NEXT SUMMER WHEN MINE ARE A LITTLE BIGGER..
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I think maybe we should rethink how important soft laundry really is. Our grandparents didn't think it was, just as it was clean.. I personally hate the smell of dryer sheets plus the smell of perfumed detergents.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
My mother never used artificial fabric softeners, she hung out the clothes to dry outside in the sea winds, and that was enough to leave them silky and soft... including towels. So where do we go from that?
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
i have a well, the water is hard (and undrinkable) and since I've gone back to using cheap white vinegar in the rinse water my clothes are soft, my washing machine is cleaned each time it's used (by the vinegar rinse) of hard water gunk............ I just fill up the Downey ball w/ vinegar....... cheap white stuff!! Works good in dishwater too, and the rinse cycle of dishwasher!!
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
The blue balls in the dryer DO WORK very well!
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
What are in those laundry sheets? The one I have is a cloth fabric and is supposed to be all natural? Picked it up at home hardware and it apparently lasts for 150 loads or something like that. It works great! But my question is - what's in it? is it all natural?
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I second Michelle's advice to line dry if possible (difficult if you live in a tenth floor apartment). Don't forget that your dryer is using electricity produced from our dwindling oil reserves, so use the free wind and sun instead if you can. I also second Michelle's suggestion of a few drops of oil (lavender is lovely) in the final rinse.
Sylvia
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Fabric softeners aren't necessary. Static cling comes from overdrying. Reduce wrinkles by not overloading the dryer. Add fragrance by adding a few drops of essential oil to the rinse cycle. Increase fluff and decrease drying time with Wonder Dryer Balls. Also, Maggie's Laundry Nuts claim to soften clothes in the washer. Of course, there's always the alternative of line drying your laundry.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Does anyone know what brand of fluorescent lightbulbs give you the most light? I have used many different brands, none of which provide enough light. I have to use 100W bulbs to get a decent amount of light. Plus they give off blue and green hues. UGH.
Ellen Stadler
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?