http://www.care2.com/greenliving/fabric-softeners.html
Fabric Softeners
The smell of fabric softeners is on the minds of many Americans,
or so I assume from the volume of e-mail I receive on the subject.
Many are frantic to get the smell out of their driers, others out
of their clothes, and most want alternatives.
A recent study from Anderson Laboratories gives a clue as to why
this particular household product has become a bee in so many
people’s bonnets.
Here are the details:
Anderson Laboratories’ chemical analysis of the airborne
emissions of five different kinds of commonly available fabric
softeners was reported in the May, 2000 issue of The Journal of
Toxicology and Environmental Health. Their study revealed that
the fabric softeners emitted toluene, styrene, phenol, thymol,
xylene, and trimethylbenzene, among other chemicals, many of which
cause acute respiratory tract irritation and inflammation.
What You Can Do
Fabric softeners are static cling busters; that is their main
function. They reduce static cling by coating fabric with a waxy
film that fluffs up clothes and changes the negative electrical
charge from the detergent.
Interestingly, natural fabrics don’t develop static the way
synthetics do, so step-by-step switching to all natural fabrics
such as organic cotton sheets will help. You can also shake out
the clothes to reduce the static. Fortunately, “green” fabric
softeners are now on the market from brands such as Seventh
Generation and Ecover, that are made of vegetable-based surfactants,
salt, and natural ingredients for scent.
To read the Anderson Laboratories study, click here.
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15 comments
add your comment »For those who Cant add to the rinse cycle, use a downy ball with your white vinegar to the "line"...it will work just as well and you can enjoy the benefits like the rest of us!!!!
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i want to try this .thank you
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I want to try this now,thank you
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nice to know about aluminum foils
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I work in a specialty store that sells high end linens. We were told by the manufacturer not to EVER use fabric softner of any kind on good linens. It buries the stains that will then be impossible to remove and deteriorates the true softness of high thread count sheets and pillow cases.
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Vinegar also makes a fine hair rinse, leaving hair feeling clean & soft (not oily & heavy as many commercial rinses do) and smelling a little like a good salad! Really, rinsing well takes out most of the vinegar smell - the rest will disappear in 30-60 minutes.
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Birds love to use dryer lint when building their nests. If, however, you use fabric softener or softener sheets in your dryer, it can be deadly. Please, only use dryer lint for birds to use if you do not use any form of fabric softener.
A hummingbird weighs the equivalent of three paper clips. Imagine what those chemicals could do to a creature that small.
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I have known the beneficial properties of vinegar for many years. I put an eggcupful in with the washing powder and the same in for the rinse, I do use a little fabric conditioner as I like the perfume of an Italian one I buy.
I clean all round the house, drops of vinegar and 2 drops of washing up liquid in 1/2 bucket of water to clean windows.
Also a vingar spray helps to keep the smell of tobacco away. Other half smokes cigars.
Keep Clean and Go Green
Janice.
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Ok, so how MUCH vinegar does one use in the washer? I can't add anything during the cycle, the washer lid locks (f/ safety I guess). There is a resevoir f/ liquid softner, so perhaps I can try pouring it in there. Presumably it comes out only during the rinse & not the wash cycle. My neighbor's dryer vents right toward my kitchen window & I abhore the smell of their dryer sheet/softner or whatever they use. It stinks up the whole neighborhood with"scent". Any ideas for dealing w/ this, besides blocking their dryer vent up? (just kidding). BTW - have you noticed how EXPENSIVE baking soda & vinegar (especially) have become, now that they are the "in" thing!?
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I've been using vinegar for over a year now and love it!! My clothes always felt like they had a "film" on them when I used the commercial brands. Now I make my own laundry detergent and use vinegar to rinse.
Baking soda and vinegar are really the only cleaning products I use anymore.
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