[Wendy]

Why do you put vinegar in place of fabric softener in your washer? I saw that in the washer/dryer thread. I wasn't sure if you would check back there. Just curious, doesn't it make your clothes smell like salad dressing?

 

[Allie]

lol...no...vinegar is a natural fabric softener. You might notice a slight vinegar odor when you take it out of the washer but I don't notice it once the clothes are dry. Regular fabric softener is bad stuff...vinegar works a lot better.

 

[joflake]

I also read you can mix vinegar with old hair conditioner to make your own fabric softener.

 

[TangerineFizz]

I've been using it too for months now since Allie mentioned it in another thread. It's great stuff! The only problem I ever had was a couple of times in the winter when the clothes got "static-y" but that's it. No smell afterward, and everything is soft and fresh.

Not to mention it costs .69cents as opposed to $5.89 for softener!

 

[BigBrownDog]

How much do you use per load?

 

[Wendy]

White vinegar? Oh good to know, I'm going to try this!!!

 

[Di]

I bet I could even use that! I cant use any perfumed fabric softer because of allergys and I really don't like the smell of most of them anyway. I will have to give the vinegar a shot.

 

[blacklabparent]

I use 1/2 cup per load, and no, you don't smell it. =)

Use baking soda to brighten, vinegar to soften.

 

[Mama3tikes]

OHH I like this idea!

 

[Aimee]

I had been wondering about this too. Fernando's mom swears by using Ivory dish soap + apple cider vinegar to wash nice clothes, but I've never been brave enough to try it. I've never heard of anyone else using vinegar to wash clothes, but after reading this thread, I may try it this week.

 

[Allie]

My machine has a fabric softener dispenser...I just fill that full of vinegar. It probably is about 1/2 cup. If you want to use baking soda or oxygen peroxide (like oxyclean) and you have a front loader, put it into the drum with your clothes unless you have a dispenser (I think some of the new whirlpool and maytag brands do??)

 

[Wendy]

My front loader has a dispenser for bleach, softner, and laundry detergent. I'll give it a try. I think Jon's breathing problems at night might be the perfume in the laundry.

 

[Allie]

I use ECOS (liquid), which is biodegradable, all natural and 1,4-dioxane and phosphate free. It has a built in soy fabric softener and it is lightly scented but not unpleasant. It's really reasonably priced, though, $11 for a huge container at costco. I think the Costco free and clear is supposed to be good, too.