Help Soften my Laundry w/o Fabric Softener

Gold Member Joined: Sep 07 2011 Posts: 1005

We were trying to save $ so we bought a large Kirkland free and clear Laundry Detergent. I use just a little but the clothes come out so stiff and hard. I don't want to use fabric softener bec my kids have eczema but I hate the hard clothes. I tried adding vinegar to the wash and also to the softener holder but it didn't' help.
Any idea how to soften the laundry?
Also, I find that free and clear soaps fade the clothes- Y is that? and how do I stop the fading?
Thanks!

Executive Member Joined: Jul 09 2008 Posts: 377

vinegar

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 24 2008 Posts: 6528

Gold Member Joined: Sep 07 2011 Posts: 1005

vinegar didn't work Sad

Gold Member Joined: Jul 14 2009 Posts: 2094

vinegar-it doesn't leave a smell

I believe you can also use it to remove smells in clothes

Gold Member Joined: Sep 07 2011 Posts: 1005

Please don't post[b] ''vinegar"![/b] As I've posted twice already, vinegar did not do anything to soften or stop the fading of the clothes!
Thanks!

Gold Member Joined: Nov 01 2010 Posts: 1686

I haven't tried it, but I've been told that if you put tennis balls in the dryer with the clothing, it softens them.

Gold Member Joined: Sep 07 2011 Posts: 1005

thanx faigie, but what about the clothes that I have to hang to dry?

Gold Member Joined: Jul 02 2010 Posts: 1416

Is it possible that you have hard water? Try a water-softener, like calgon - this can help break down the minerals in the water that make your clothes stiff.

Platinum Member Joined: Feb 20 2009 Posts: 7649

Downy makes a fragrance and dye free liquid fabric softener. Would that work for you? I just bought tide on sale and it had a sticker for a free downy. I also use free and clear for my kids with sensitive skin/eczema, so I'm going to try this out. Their clothing gets stiff sometimes because I hang dry.

My dryer has a fluff option. If yours does, maybe you can put the clothes that hung to dry in the fluff cycle for a few minutes.

Executive Member Joined: Dec 26 2010 Posts: 351

Try dryer balls.
http://www.shopxscargo.com/pro.....ry=Laundry
I have these (or similar ones) & they're great. You can use several packages for better results.

Senior Member Joined: Dec 27 2010 Posts: 197

Try half a cup of borax in your washer along with your regular detergent.

Why dont you try a fabric softener from a health company like shaklee type. They use all natural ingredients so its non-toxic and shouldnt irritate their sensitive skin.