Here is a little tip that I picked up since I have been cloth diapering. (Many of you may already know this.) I never use fabric softener. It just creates build up on our clothes (especially towels) and some of us have really sensitive skin. Instead I use vinegar in the rinse cycle. Because I don't hover over my machine and have the ability to catch the rinse cycle, I have relied upon this little downy ball to do the job for me. (Find it in the laundry soap isle next to the Downy that you are supposed to put in it.) I just fill it up to the line and drop it in. Through the magic of symmetrical force, the vinegar is released during the rinse cycle. It works great, you don't have to mess with those dryer sheets hiding in your clothes, and no- your clean laundry will NOT smell like vinegar. It it passed the smell test with Carl, I can assure you it doesn't. Happy washing!
We do this too with all our laundry. Cheap, eco-friendly and it works! What's not to like. :)
Posted by: mama k | May 22, 2008 at 07:04 AM
Libby, I'm still struggling with the cloth diapering. I am inspired when I hear about it but I can't bring myself to invest in a set. For fear of not loving them. But like I said before, you inspire me. Yet again.
Posted by: grace | May 22, 2008 at 07:40 AM
I usually just pour some vinegar in the machine with the soap to wash the funk out of my husband's work clothes. Is there another benefit to using it in the rinse cycle? Does it help with the dreaded static cling?This is the main reason I use dryer sheets, but would love to stop using them.
Posted by: Stacey Van Landingham | May 22, 2008 at 07:44 AM
I usually just pour some vinegar in the machine with the soap to wash the funk out of my husband's work clothes. Is there another benefit to using it in the rinse cycle? Does it help with the dreaded static cling?This is the main reason I use dryer sheets, but would love to stop using them.
Posted by: Stacey Van Landingham | May 22, 2008 at 07:46 AM
I also use vinegar - I put it in the liquid fab softener area and it works great! I love it!
I've converted my CD'ing laundry supplies to my everyday laundry when I realized how eco-friendly and cheap it was - the vinegar and the laundry soap (bio-kleen).
Posted by: Carrie | May 22, 2008 at 08:03 AM
Great tip! I will have to try it out. Does it need to be any special kind of vinegar or will the regular stuff work?
Posted by: Kristen | May 22, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Great tip! I will have to try it out. Does it need to be any special kind of vinegar or will the regular stuff work?
Posted by: Kristen | May 22, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Love this. Thanks for the reminder! We just went back to cloth with Ari so this is perfect timing. I do this with our towels but I had forgotten about using vinegar with her diapers.
Thanks!
Posted by: Jill | May 22, 2008 at 01:21 PM
I have been thinking of using vinegar in the rinse, but have been afraid of the smell. I think vinegar is so stinky unless it is in salad dressing! ;)
Maybe I will go ahead and try it in just one load. I would love to quit using softener!
Posted by: randi | May 22, 2008 at 07:28 PM
I use vinegar too, but sometimes (well, most of the time) I don't catch up with rinse cycle in time, so a downy ball is a great idea, thanks ))))
Posted by: inga | May 23, 2008 at 09:33 AM
I use to use those Downy balls all the time, I had a friend that "pressured" me into it.(don't ask, laundry was sort of a competition)anyway I didn't like them. I have an old one hanging around and I am going to fill it with vinegar. (great tip) White right? My Grandmother used vinegar for EVERYTHING. I use to use Dreft detergent on my baby clothes. The smell is so worth it. Sometimes I am tempted to use it on my jamies etc.
Posted by: cindy | May 23, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Do you use any particular "green" detergent? Oh, also, I tagged you!
Posted by: Mary Beth | May 23, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Love the vinegar!
Gave you some linky love here:
http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2008/06/linky-love.html
Posted by: mama k | June 05, 2008 at 05:26 PM