February 11, 2019
Healthy Home Swaps : Fabric Softener
Along the way I have recommended products that I believed to be 100% safe that actually weren’t. I corrected those inconsistencies and started making my own DIY cleaners as a result. You can see my DIY cleaning recipes here on the blog. I wrote a whole book on DIY cleaners back in 2014 here and a book on my cleaning routine complete with simple and safe DIY recipes – Simply Clean, 2017. I’m really excited to share some Healthy Home Swaps with you. This is a series intended to test out known safe products and simply share my findings and opinions with you, hopefully making a swap a little bit easier. I’ll continue to test out products with the hope that you’ll consider swapping out your everyday product for a safe alternative.
Today’s installment? Fabric Softener. This post is probably going to have quite a few of you sending me emails of disbelief, but I am here to tell you that your laundry products probably aren’t as safe as you think they are. Honestly, through my extensive research I’ve come to the conclusion that laundry products can be the most dangerous products in our homes. Why? We wear clothes, pajamas, and sleep in bedding that is laundered in detergent and fabric softener. We don’t get away from the chemicals that are in laundry products. Most conventional fabric softeners and dryer sheets contain artificial fragrances and ingredients that are known to cause and/or exacerbate existing respiratory and asthmatic irritations and problems. These ingredients are toxic and harmful to anyone, not just people with existing problems. Don’t just assume that something is safe because the company says it is or because the product says ’natural’. Go here to see how EWG.org rates fabric softeners. I aim for A’s when I recommend products. Take a peek at how many fabric softeners receive an ‘A’. Out of 185 products, there are 2 brands that get an ‘A’. These aren’t products that are found at your local stores but you can find them on Amazon and on their websites however, if you look at the ingredients they still have allergy and asthma concerns. My overall recommendation for fabric softener is to skip the conventional fabric softener.
Here are a couple popular fabric softeners and how they rate – click the links to check it out for yourself:
Downy – Dryer Sheets + Liquid – D
Bounce Dryer Sheets – D
Gain – C
Mrs. Meyers – sheets – C
Mrs. Meyers – Liquid – D
Caldrea – Softener + Sheets – D
Seventh Generation – Liquid – D and Sheets – B
Ecover – C
Why should you worry about what is in your cleaning products? You guys! There is little to no regulation on ingredients and what is considered safe so you need to do your research and decide what you are okay with. I’ll be sharing information with you in little doses here and there as I always have been but I hope you understand that you should be concerned.
Here is how I use these products in my home:
WOOL DRYER BALLS
- Wool dryer balls are designed to take the place of dryer sheets and fabric softener.
- Fabric softeners coat fibers making clothes and towels harder to clean because they build up with the fabric softener. If you love your fabric softener and dryer sheets and love that scent that’s associated with clean laundry, you might find it hard to make the switch to something natural if it’s unscented.
- Wool dryer balls reduce drying time.
- Soften clothes for up to 1000 loads of laundry – depending on how much laundry you do, that’s probably at least 3 years!
- NO waste, eco-friendly.
- They shouldn’t contain any dyes or perfumes.
- Wool is biodegradable and naturally antimicrobial – nothing is added to make them antimicrobial. The only benefit of this that I’ve found is that it keeps the dryer balls from getting stinky through repeated use – it’s not making your clothes anti-microbial.
Want more information? Here’s a post with all my tips for wool dryer balls.
WHITE VINEGAR
- Simply add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser or one of those fabric softener balls.
- The white vinegar will act as a fabric softener AND it will keep your washing machine smelling fresh and clean!
- I’m not a fan of the smell of white vinegar (shocker!) and I can guarantee that you will NOT smell any vinegar on your laundry.
- Why would you want to switch to vinegar as a fabric softener? Most conventional fabric softeners and dryer sheets are not only toxic, but they also coat fibers making clothes and towels harder to clean because they build up with fabric softener.
Want more information? Here’s a post with all my tips for using white vinegar as a fabric softener.
Please note that none of these companies know that I am talking about their products, this is just me testing out products for efficacy and most importantly safety and passing that information on to you. I have added referral links when they are available (my policy is here.)
Here’s how they come out on price:
White Vinegar – it’s currently $3.69 for 1.32 gallons (I buy the Heinz White Vinegar jug from Costco – I tried to grab you a link on Amazon but the prices are super high). I use about 1/4 cup of white vinegar per load so that figures out to be about 4 cents a load. Here’s how the Heinz vinegar rates on EWG.org (it’s an A with zero concerns)
Wool Dryer Balls (I recommend the ones in my shop) – $19.99 for 1000 loads of laundry – that’s just under 2 cents per load. If you do a load of laundry every day, the typical wool dryer ball set will last you about 3 years – that’s a bargain in my book.
I use BOTH white vinegar and wool dryer balls in most loads of laundry so that comes out to be about 6 cents per load. Still cheaper than most conventional fabric softeners!
Have you ever contemplated what’s in your fabric softener? What are your thoughts?
If you love your fabric softener and dryer sheets and love that scent that’s associated with clean laundry, you probably don’t want to make the switch to something natural if it’s unscented.
Find the best Clean Mama Laundry Products here in the shop!
Rachel Summy Says
I’ve followed this advise from you from about 18 months and it is TRUE….the vinegar is a great fabric softener and the dryer balls work, too.
And the best part, the vinegar really does clean up the washing machine, too! No more residue in the softener dispenser!! Thank you!
b r Says
Post authorYay! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Amy Says
I’ve been using dryer balls for many years and love them. How do I know when they’ve reached the end of their life and should be replaced?
b r Says
Post authorI haven’t had that happen yet BUT I would guess that they would start to look a little disheveled and maybe fall apart a bit?
doris wilson Says
I don’t use any fabric softeners either because of their toxicity. I seem to have more issues with static than softness. do the dryer balls eliminate the static electricity or is it just for softness? Thanks!
b r Says
Post authorThe wool dryer balls should help with static – if you still get static try pinning a safety pin to the ball to eliminate the charge. Also make sure you aren’t over-drying the laundry as that can cause static too.
Cheryl Clarke Says
I have a Samsung flex washer and dryer. Is it safe to use white vinegar in that fabric softener dispenser?
Dana Says
Just add a few drops of essential oil to the wool balls for scent. I use lavendar on mine!
Maggie Says
I stopped using co what when I noticed it was damaging my hemp diapers…does it not break down other fabrics? I would not mind going back to it if it makes a huge difference…right now I just use my wool dryer balls…
b r Says
Post authorIt definitely doesn’t break down other fabrics – just 1/4 cup per load!
Nancy Says
I started using vinegar & wool dryer balls over a year ago & I love this replacement for dryer sheets! I add 6-10 drops of doterra lavender essential oil to the ball. Thanks for a truly eco-friendly amazing tip!
Amy Says
How do you know when your dryer balls need to be retired? I have had mine several years (like 6) and LOVE them but was wondering what properties start to fail as they age.
b r Says
Post authorI haven’t had that happen yet but they will most likely look worn out and ready for a replacement.
Melissa Harrell Says
I started substituting white vinegar with essential oil added and LOVE it. My next step is to start making my own laundrry detergent .
I already use your recipes for my house cleaning products.😀
You have changed my way of thinking about cleaning. It is no longer seen as a chore., but a gift I can give my family!
Michael Lewis Says
This is the most interesting article I’ve read in a while. But I’m wondering, I use your Wool Dryer Balls and they work great! So my question is, instead of using the vinegar in the fabric softener mode of washing, if I put some drops on the balls before drying my laundry, will it still have the same effect? I used to use some drops of essential oil on the Wool Balls, but I’d Rather start using your tip as I can understand exactly what your point is.
Thanks for all your tips and tricks. Your a GREAT teacher!
Michael.
b r Says
Post authorJust put the essential oil on the balls and let it dry overnight – don’t put it on the balls and put them directly in the dryer as the oil can stain your clothing in its liquid state.
laurenferrin Says
I’ve been using wool dryer balls for a year now. I prefer them. Is there a way to naturally reduce static in the dryer?
b r Says
Post authorThe wool dryer balls should help with static – if you still get static try pinning a safety pin to the ball to eliminate the charge. Also make sure you aren’t over-drying the laundry as that can cause static too.
Connie C Says
I use your white vinegar tip plus the wool dryer balls and it really does help to soften clothes naturally. I still struggle with static, however. Any suggestions for that? I am wondering if it has something to do with the climate I live in because I have heard others say the dryer balls help with that but it they don’t seem to make a difference with static for me.
b r Says
Post authorThe wool dryer balls should help with static – if you still get static try pinning a safety pin to the ball to eliminate the charge. Also make sure you aren’t over-drying the laundry as that can cause static too.
Tasi Says
Couple hints, if you look for a ‘fabric softener ball,’ in most regular stores, you will have to look for the Downy brand or even hunt online. IMO, that’s the best thing the Downy brand has is their ball. I’m not huge on vinegar smell, but my kids even more so hate it, and NONE of your recipes make them complain to me. It’s truly why I started using your recipes and bought your cleaner recipes book, because just vinegar (even with citrus infused) made them grumble. If you’re hanging items up to dry and they get a little stiff, just remember to shake them before hanging AND after (and maybe during). That should loosen up the fibers just fine. Love your blog and work! Looking forward to your new book.
Kate Says
I stopped using fabric softener/dryer sheets altogether years ago when one of my babies had sensitive skin. I never got around to going back. Seemed totally unnecessary. I started using wool dryer balls about two months ago and love them! I also just started using vinegar again, for no good reason except that I needed to buy some and it comes in boxes of two at Costco so one stayed in the kitchen and the other went to the laundry room. 😂 It leaves no trace of vinegar but a good feeling of clean.
Donna Parsons Says
Where did you post about your whiteboard?
Darlene Says
I tried this today on towels and after I noticed grainy white soapy substance on some of the walls of the washer tub – I’m thinking it was a result of the vinegar cleaning the washer or soap residue in the towels. The vinegars worked really well & no pickle smell!
b r Says
Post authorI would pretty much guarantee that its old soap residue!
Lisa Blansit Says
I use your method now and am loving it! Add Lavender to the wool dryer balls for a bit of scent. Thank you!
Shelly Batterman Says
What about static in clothes???
Lina Says
I started using wool dryer balls that I received as part of a gift basket. Ive been trying to eliminate toxins from my home. I put a few drops of essential oil on them for a pretty small, the only problem I have is static cling. Street sheets are the only thing that’s helped with that! Any tips? Thank you for sharing your ideas!
b r Says
Post authorThe wool dryer balls should help with static – if you still get static try pinning a safety pin to the ball to eliminate the charge. Also make sure you aren’t over-drying the laundry as that can cause static too.
Metc Says
I have been putting lavender eastial oil into my wool dryer balls. Thoughts on that? Certainly can be expensive over time so I don’t do it on every load.
b r Says
Post authorPut a couple drops on each ball, let dry overnight and then use in your laundry – it should last at least a week with that one dose. Repeat when you no longer smell the lavender.
Celeste Says
Our family has slowly been swapping out the unhealthy for healthy. I’m using the wool balls but have a lot of static still. I’ve tried aluminum foil balls and those didn’t help. Do you have any tips to reduce static? Thank you!!!
b r Says
Post authorThe wool dryer balls should help with static – if you still get static try pinning a safety pin to the ball to eliminate the charge. Also make sure you aren’t over-drying the laundry as that can cause static too.
Emily @ Planned Spontaneity Says
I just switched to the wool balls and I have to say I am never going back!! I love them so much and my clothes come out drier and softer than they ever did with the other methods I’m using.
Pingback: Essentials for Sheets + Towels – Clean Mama
Pingback: 14 Frugal Laundry Tips To Save Money - Frugalish Family Finance