02/04/2022
Do we need fabric softener?
Although fabric softener may make your clothes feel soft, be static-free, and smell nice, it can also make them toxic.
According to Natural Life Magazine, there is a mind-boggling list of dangerous petrochemicals in these kinds of products, many of them used in untested combinations.
Benzyl Acetate
Benzyl Alcohol
Ethyl Acetate
Limonene
A-Terpineol
Camphor
Linalool
Chloroform, Whaaat?
Phthalates
The effects of most of these chemicals are more acute when heated in clothes dryers, making dryer sheets worse than liquid softeners. And, of course, dryers exhaust the toxic fumes into the neighborhood air.
Because fabric softeners are made to stay in your clothing, the chemicals are slowly released into the air for you to inhale or onto your skin to absorb.
There’s no reason to expose yourself to these risky chemicals when natural alternatives exist. Not only are they safer for you, your family, and the environment, but they’re often much more economical
Here are some great substitutes
Add 50-60 ml of Baking soda to the wash cycle to soften the clothes.
Add 50-60 ml of white vinegar to the wash or rinse cycle to soften clothes (don’t use bleach at the same time)
Dry your clothes outside on a clothesline to eliminate static cling
A piece of wadded-up aluminum foil placed in the dryer with clothes will cut down on static cling.
Dryer Balls are much more eco-friendly.
Install a water softener
If you really feel that you need to use a commercial product, check out your local health food store for a natural fabric softener or reusable cloth dryer sheets that use a natural base like soy instead of chemicals.
🌴
