fabric softener safe?

0ashley

I vaguely remember reading once upon a time that you shouldn't use fabric softeners because they reduce the flame resistance of baby pj's, etc. Might be completely false, but wanted to check before I wash our bedding and clothes. I caught the earlier post about detergent, which got me wondering about Downy and dryer sheets. Thanks for your help!

Gismo123

I read the same thing plus I read it can cause rashes on baby. I have also switched to only using free and clear detergents on everything.

InLove621

I was wondering this myself - I read on the internet (which is why I'm questioning it - I didn't really trust the site as I never heard of it before) that fabric softener is actually bad for adults as well as child. The artificial fragrances are supposedly really bad for us - cancer causing even. Then again everything now-a-days causes cancer so I'm questioning what to do. 

I have yet to look for fabric softener with natural fragrances or none - but I haven't been able to yet.  

Bmetgirl1976

I use fabric softner and dryer sheets but I buy the allergen free and clear stuff.  I did this for y first son and he was fine and has very sensitive skin like me.  I read most of my babies clothes and they say they are not flame retardent but to make sure they fit snug and are not loose.

JRogerson

I just finished reading Baby Bargains and they said the same thing about how it reduces the flame resistance on pj's. I wouldn't take the risk

Temp6354875004994

My ob/gyn says free and clear detergent with no fabric softener for baby and for mommy.  I had a rash at the begining of my pregnancy (which I had never had before), she thought it might be linked to detergent, so we switched (it cleared up).  But she said that is what we should do for when baby gets here anyways.

HuskerBabyB

That was probably me that said that, and yes it's true, it will reduce the flame resistance.

Daisy22

We use free and clear bounce sheets in the dryer. At first with DS1 I didn't but his blankets and clothes had SO much static that he would cry when we were putting them on b/c he kept getting shocked. So I started using bounce sheets and still do.

We use 7th generation free and clear detergent too b/c I'm allergic to everything else.

katmacwv

I still don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets on DD's clothes, and she's 4.  I also read that it reduces the flame retardant nature of the clothes, so we just use detergent and then dry her stuff without dryer sheets.  Since I wash most of her stuff on delicate per the directions, I just wash her stuff separately.

MrsColvin

We use All free and clear detergent and downy free and clear fabric softener. My Pedi says its perfectly safe because most clothes aren't flame retardant anyways. The only thing we wash with no fabric softener is cloth diapers because it ruins the absorbency. 

Mt2G1012

It does, but IMO if a fire is close enough to my daughter that I have to worry about her pjs being flame retardant, I have bigger problems than if the pjs are going to catch on fire or not.