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TaraHutch
True beauty
Member since 10/07 9888 total posts
Name:
Tara
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Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
So this is obviously a no-no, as are dryer sheets. But there are free and clear dryer sheets- I can't use those?
I washed  's towels and they're no longer soft. They're just as icky as the ones DH and I have been using for ages. What do you do to keep these things soft?
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Posted 4/29/09 12:42 PM  |
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Angel321
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Member since 4/08 15553 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
i really don't know about the free & clear ones.... i'd say read the box - i think they HAVE to say if you can't use them (i know the ones i've seen have said it flat out).
i think we'll NOT be drying most things....and just wash and drying rack them....but we need a MUCH better drying rack first! 
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| Posted 4/29/09 12:49 PM |
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
I think the issue with fabric softener is more so that it removes the flame retardantcy of the items.
I bought those plain dryer balls at BB&B and throw those in with DC's stuff so it softens the up without using fabric softener.
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| Posted 4/29/09 12:54 PM |
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AMF1115
Loves being Joey & Vinny's mom
Member since 1/09 3771 total posts
Name:
Athina
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
I have an extreme allergy to fabric softeners so we never use them. I air dry my towels and even though it takes longer they are very fluffy.
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| Posted 4/29/09 1:30 PM |
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ReiRei13
Life is Good!!
Member since 1/08 6460 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
I use the Toddler Dryer Balls from BRU
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| Posted 4/29/09 2:25 PM |
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pharmcat2000
Mom of 2 + 1
Member since 10/05 7395 total posts
Name:
Catherine
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
I would say to just use the balls.
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| Posted 4/29/09 4:05 PM |
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imyself
Member since 10/06 2938 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
I use vinegar in ds laundry and will use it for #2 as well. It kills nasties like thrush and leaves his stuff so soft. And no it doesn't smell like salad dressing after it dries 
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| Posted 4/29/09 4:06 PM |
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TaraHutch
True beauty
Member since 10/07 9888 total posts
Name:
Tara
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
Posted by imyself
I use vinegar in ds laundry and will use it for #2 as well. It kills nasties like thrush and leaves his stuff so soft. And no it doesn't smell like salad dressing after it dries
oh wow, interesting! How much vinegar do you put in? Thanks!
And thanks ladies, recommending the dryer balls. Balls. I'm so juvenile.
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| Posted 4/29/09 4:34 PM |
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Angel321
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Member since 4/08 15553 total posts
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
Posted by TaraGotHutched
Posted by imyself
I use vinegar in ds laundry and will use it for #2 as well. It kills nasties like thrush and leaves his stuff so soft. And no it doesn't smell like salad dressing after it dries
oh wow, interesting! How much vinegar do you put in? Thanks!
And thanks ladies, recommending the dryer balls. Balls. I'm so juvenile.
tara - this is why we're friends.....
i said the SAME thing in my head and then did the beavis and butthead laugh....
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| Posted 4/29/09 4:35 PM |
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TaraHutch
True beauty
Member since 10/07 9888 total posts
Name:
Tara
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
Posted by davenjess
tara - this is why we're friends.....
i said the SAME thing in my head and then did the beavis and butthead laugh....
That is EXACTLY what I was doing with the - my Beavis & Butthead laugh!!
I was also thinking a little Jack from Will & Grace too.
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| Posted 4/29/09 4:36 PM |
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Meggo613
im a big girl!
Member since 2/07 4536 total posts
Name:
Megan
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
wait so you mean to tell me i cant use my tide with downy deterent to wash the babys clothes or towels? 
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| Posted 4/29/09 4:45 PM |
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imyself
Member since 10/06 2938 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
Posted by TaraGotHutched
Posted by imyself
I use vinegar in ds laundry and will use it for #2 as well. It kills nasties like thrush and leaves his stuff so soft. And no it doesn't smell like salad dressing after it dries
oh wow, interesting! How much vinegar do you put in? Thanks!
Check out this
My washer has a cup thing in the middle for fabric softener. I just fill that with vinegar and the machine releases it in the rinse cycle.
I also use it in my unmentionables since I have a bad reaction if I use fabric softener on them  Not fun trust me
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| Posted 4/29/09 5:15 PM |
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TaraHutch
True beauty
Member since 10/07 9888 total posts
Name:
Tara
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
Posted by imyself
Check out this
My washer has a cup thing in the middle for fabric softener. I just fill that with vinegar and the machine releases it in the rinse cycle.
I also use it in my unmentionables since I have a bad reaction if I use fabric softener on them Not fun trust me
GREAT tips, thank you!!!
Too bad I already washed the towels not knowing this- I'm guessing they won't return to their original, soft state. and of all the things I got at my shower, I was TOTALLY adoring my cute froggy/turtle towels and washcloths and now they're just like any old scratchy towel!
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| Posted 4/29/09 5:22 PM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
Posted by Meggo613
wait so you mean to tell me i cant use my tide with downy deterent to wash the babys clothes or towels?
You really shouldn't. The fabric softener can affect the fire retardancy.
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| Posted 4/29/09 5:46 PM |
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Meggo613
im a big girl!
Member since 2/07 4536 total posts
Name:
Megan
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
Posted by MsMBV
Posted by Meggo613
wait so you mean to tell me i cant use my tide with downy deterent to wash the babys clothes or towels?
You really shouldn't. The fabric softener can affect the fire retardancy.
ive never heard that i guess i have alot to learn!
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| Posted 4/29/09 5:54 PM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
Hey T...........I use the Bounce Free dryer sheets and they work great!  No dyes or perfumes just like the detergent.
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| Posted 4/29/09 10:38 PM |
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hannahsmom
Yummy yummy cookie...
Member since 10/08 2005 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
I am using All free for my detergent and I found Target free dryer sheets.
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| Posted 4/30/09 8:11 AM |
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BnBdreamin
Gonna be a BIG Bro in April!
Member since 10/06 5913 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
Posted by TaraGotHutched
Too bad I already washed the towels not knowing this- I'm guessing they won't return to their original, soft state. and of all the things I got at my shower, I was TOTALLY adoring my cute froggy/turtle towels and washcloths and now they're just like any old scratchy towel!
You can wash them again with these new methods of softening and they will be fine.
Also, I believe that fire/flame retardant fabrics are used in infant and children's sleepwear, not all clothing, towels, etc. Read your labels. The don't use fabric softener thing is also for avoiding skin irritation.
I did notice at BRU there are baby dryer sheets (I think at least the Method brand had one). Not sure how they work as far as softening and/or skin irritation. Here's the fabric softeners on BRU website. I do not see the Method one that I saw online but it was in the store.
I just added BALLS on my registry!!
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| Posted 5/1/09 9:09 AM |
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
Posted by BnBdreamin
I just added BALLS on my registry!!
Trust me, the BALLS work wonders!
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| Posted 5/1/09 10:45 AM |
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Re: Spinoff to washing clothes- fabric softener
The fire retardants are actually very harmful for babies so I only buy sleepwear that doesn't have it, so the issue of that being removed doesn't affect my decision. However, wanting to use Dreft and things with little to no chemicals for a baby's sensitive skin is why I don't use normal softener (and why the balls don't work since they're for softener).
Link to info on Flame Retardants in baby clothes
Info from Environmental Working Group
Safe Mama link on safe alternatives to dryer sheets and softener
Message edited 5/1/2009 2:00:00 PM.
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| Posted 5/1/09 1:57 PM |
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