topic Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine in Community Chat

Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

nafecar — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 17:55:35 GMT

Saw a post the other day about this and I didn't remember if any one had mentioned how much to put in. Any who use this way of softening clothes? If so how much do you put into the dispenser. ? And do you ad a bit of water to it?

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

151949 — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:01:16 GMT

IMO - it is so much simpler to just use the dryer sheets and when you are done with the wash for that week - wash the lint screen from the dryer to remove any build up that may be on it from the dryer sheets.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

chickenbutt — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:01:36 GMT

I use Downey (the scent-free one of course) and I use less than half the amount (capful) that they say to use. I, then, fill the rest of the fabric softener dispenser with water.

I don't use it on everything either - mostly just my clothes. All the household stuff, the cleaning lady's cleaning rags, etc, don't need it.

So, a bottle of Downey lasts me many many months.

I tried stuff that people have said worked for them, like white vinegar, and it doesn't do a thing. Clothes will come out full of static and it's just not worth it. I love white vinegar for some things, but it's not a fabric softener. I do use it in some loads, though, just as kind of a sanitizer.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

colliegirls — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:05:49 GMT

Ever since reading that softeners are carcinogenic, I have stopped using them. I was very surprised when my clothes did not feel any different or less soft.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

Jig Saw — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:07:30 GMT

What about the static cling in the winter time? I can't stand that.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

gazelle77 — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:08:51 GMT

I add Oxyclean powder along with my detergent in the wash....and use 4 dryer balls in the dryer. The combination somehow keeps the clothes soft and static free.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

Puzzle Piece — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:08:55 GMT

Whatever is called for, I use half. Works well for me.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

Free2be — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:08:59 GMT

After reading the other thread on this topic I checked my dispenser and saw that there was a build-up starting since I began using liquid softener a couple weeks ago. So I added water to a lesser amount of softener this morning. I tried to clean out the little bit of build up but it didn't immediately dissolve with water poured over so I'll have to wipe it out after the laundry is finished today.

Good to know about that build-up. I would not have thought to look, otherwise.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

brii — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:20:38 GMT

I don't use fabric softener. I use white vinegar in my laundry.

I use dryer sheets only on towels and underwear/socks.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

Say Nay — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:29:44 GMT

I use Mrs Meyer's dryer sheets. They use a vegetable derivative as the softening agent plus essential oils onto a paper sheet. You can buy them at Target. I can't remember the last time I used fabric softener.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

brii — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:30:31 GMT

I've seen those, Gato. I'm going to try them. Thanks...

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

Sooner — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:31:06 GMT

On 10/21/2014 chickenbutt said:
I use Downey (the scent-free one of course) and I use less than half the amount (capful) that they say to use. I, then, fill the rest of the fabric softener dispenser with water.

I don't use it on everything either - mostly just my clothes. All the household stuff, the cleaning lady's cleaning rags, etc, don't need it.

So, a bottle of Downey lasts me many many months.

I tried stuff that people have said worked for them, like white vinegar, and it doesn't do a thing. Clothes will come out full of static and it's just not worth it. I love white vinegar for some things, but it's not a fabric softener. I do use it in some loads, though, just as kind of a sanitizer.

Everything she said!

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

Say Nay — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:31:07 GMT

YW brii.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

chickenbutt — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:32:40 GMT

I've never used dryer sheets primarily because I have a bird (and it would kill him), plus I have breathing problems so they would cause me a great deal of breathing difficulty.

BUT, I would also consider that they cause a lot of damage too, so I'd really think about it before using dryer sheets. There is lots of information out there about this.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

tansy — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:36:27 GMT

On 10/21/2014 chickenbutt said:
I've never used dryer sheets primarily because I have a bird (and it would kill him), plus I have breathing problems so they would cause me a great deal of breathing difficulty.

BUT, I would also consider that they cause a lot of damage too, so I'd really think about it before using dryer sheets. There is lots of information out there about this.

I haven't used fabric softener or sheets in years. Using the sheets on towels actually makes the towels less water absorbent.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

nafecar — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:48:52 GMT

Thank you all for the reply's . I have a lot to think about!! I just reread my post what I should have said was how much vinegar to put into the dispenser and do you add water to it? I guess my brain wasn't functioning on all cylinders this morning !!

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

151949 — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:27:15 GMT

Vinegar does not keep clothes from having static cling . I have the dryer balls for things like my comforter but I hate the banging noise when I use them as my dryer is right in the hallway - not in the basement.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

Dam Yankee — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:41:49 GMT

I use a half cup of white vinegar, per load, in a Downey ball. I do not add water to it. It works well for softening, but not so great for static removal. Nylon items mixed in with cotton items is what creates the static. I purchased "Method Dryer-Activated Fabric Softener" spray from Target, to help with the static and it seems to be working fairly well. Winter will be the true test of this product.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

HisElk — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:14:45 GMT

On 10/21/2014 MomTo2Dogs said:
I use Mrs Meyer's dryer sheets. They use a vegetable derivative as the softening agent plus essential oils onto a paper sheet. You can buy them at Target. I can't remember the last time I used fabric softener.

Thanks for this tip. We use Mrs. Meyer's products but haven't tried this one yet. The bonus to using her products is that they are cruelty free.

Same here with regard to your last sentence.

Re: Giving Up Liquid Softner In Washing Machine

KYToby — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:40:39 GMT

If you have a dryer with sensors that determine when the clothes are dry, dryer sheets leave residues which can cause problems. Regardless of method, refer to the instructions on the packaging and I your appliance manual.

For example, our dryer's manual specifically says not to use sheets. Our washer runs all rinse water through the softener dispense, so we do not have to dilute. Most dispensers require it, though.