S/O Random Poll: Laundry Question

fricksgirl · January 2010

Ok, so I've been on a whole new learning curve about fabric softener since I learned that you shouldn't use it on towels, it makes them absorb less. But, I was surprised at a few things in the laundry poll!

So first off- I always thought that "dryer sheet" and "fabric softener" are the same thing. When I say "fabric softener", I mean "dryer sheet". Do you use a liquid fabric softener? When do you put that in?

And those of you who don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets, how on earth do you keep your clothes from getting all static-y? Preservatives or not, if I wear clothes that were dryed in a dryer without a dryer sheet, my hair looks like a frizzed out Medusa all.day.long.

What totally "housewife-y" Monday morning post, eh? But it totally piqued my curiousity!

H

SweetieP · January 2010

Ha! I totally learned something new yesterday too! I always use dryer sheets with everything. I never use the liquid stuff - ever. Just one more thing to buy, ya know? And I think my clothes are fine - but what do I know?

roxyttandme · January 2010

<---- :::ppsstt, doesn't even color sort the laundry, but don't tell anyone, k?:::

GL! but, I am so not the one to ask.

AvaLikeLava · January 2010

We don't use anything other than Tide Free to wash. No fabric softeners and no dryer sheets. We've never had a problem w/ static.

We do use drier balls though -- about 3 of them. I don't know if they are what does the trick on static. We like it though since we don't have to do anything special when washing G's clothes vs. ours. We all wash the same way.

Celyn · January 2010

I have wool dryer balls that bounce around, shorten drying time, soften clothes, and keep the static away. They work great.

Celyn · January 2010

same purpose without the load of truly gross chemicals

Here's what's in dryer sheets:

? Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer
? Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant
? Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders
? Alpha-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage
? Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list
? Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
? Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
? Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
? Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled

Mrs.K&C · January 2010

We don't use anything besides a free & clear detergent because I have super sensitive skin, DD has sensitive skin and DH has eczema. We don't have any static problems. I wonder why. Huh. Maybe it's the type of fabric I tend to wear?

tmp-195892875001867 · January 2010

I've used Downy fabric softener in the past - with the balls.

With Char, we have switched to free and clear detergent, no softener. But now we use dryer sheets (Method sweetpea) since she's not sensitive to it.

I think Downey makes a lavender vanilla detergent/dryer sheet that I love the smell of!

Also we have used a dryer sheet stick type thing (looks like a bar of soap sorta) that sticks to the inside of the dryer - it lasts a few months so there is no sheet to try and find at the end of the drying.

C.P.C. · January 2010

Interesting. I use only All Free and Clear as well. I will have to check out the dryer balls. I've never heard of them.

EmmieB · January 2010

Celyn:
I have wool dryer balls that bounce around, shorten drying time, soften clothes, and keep the static away. They work great.

I've decided it's time to invest in these bad boys. Where did you get yours?

We use Mrs. Meyer's Baby detergent for all of our wash now (before that it was Method Unscented.)

I'm in deep, deep smit with Mrs. Meyer's. It's got lemon in it so the clothes are fresh (even the towels that husband used over the weekend that got the towel funk) and the laundry room smells like lemon when it's finished.

I don't put anything in the dryer, and I haven't noticed static as a problem...

ashleyhuney · January 2010

MrsJulieT:
AvaLikeLava:
We don't use anything other than Tide Free to wash. No fabric softeners and no dryer sheets. We've never had a problem w/ static.
We do use drier balls though -- about 3 of them. I don't know if they are what does the trick on static. We like it though since we don't have to do anything special when washing G's clothes vs. ours. We all wash the same way.
Dryer balls are like dryer sheets. Same purpose.

Same purpose yes but dryer balls are loaded with nasty stuff that I don't want around J or us

We only use Ecos detergent (Planet for diapers) and a few dryer balls and really have no issue with static.

ETA: I see that Teri already listed out the stuff that I vaguely referred to as nasty stuff, lol.

futrkingsley · January 2010

Where can I find the wool dryer balls? I hate using dryer sheets but also hate static!

Celyn · January 2010

etsy, of course

pkw · January 2010

I use dryer sheets, but I do consider them fabric softener. I am no help.

Happy10th! · January 2010

We use free and clear detergent - no liquid softener or dryer sheet, but I'm thinking of trying a soap instead of detergent...eg. Cal Ben's.

Some of the cotton items are a little static-y right out of the dryer, but I just shake it out, and it's fine.

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