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Cleaning Up: Substitute for Fabric Softener Sheets?  |
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dkisselburgh
Farmgirl at Heart

5 Posts
Diana
East Aurora
New York
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2008 : 05:28:46 AM
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Does anyone have a replacement for fabric softener sheets for those times when we can't dry on the line outside?
http://dianasfarmblog.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
    
22944 Posts

Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22944 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2008 : 06:44:50 AM
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Just put some vinegar in the rinse water of your washer. It will soften the clothes and in the dryer the vinegar smell will burn off. You can also put some essential oil in there as well.
Alee Farmgirl Sister #8 www.awarmheart.com Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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nampafarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
   
494 Posts
Kim
Nampa
ID
USA
494 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2008 : 12:23:28 PM
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Alee, where do I purchase essential oil? and is there any I should stay away from for possiblity of staining the clothes? I assume that you mean to add it to the wash? Kim |
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simplypaige
Farmgirl in Training
 
15 Posts
Paige
IN
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2008 : 1:14:18 PM
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Aluminum foil. I have tried this and it does work really well. It only takes a small sheet and is able to be reused several times. You just throw it in with the wet clothes. It's great if you only need it ocassionally. Paige |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
    
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
    
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
Posted - Sep 05 2008 : 9:12:06 PM
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wow! i never knew you could put tin foil in the dryer. I thought it would have the same effect as if it had gone in to the microwave. Kablooooie!! jess
Farmgirl Sister #235
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
    
22944 Posts

Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22944 Posts |
Posted - Sep 05 2008 : 11:32:54 PM
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Kim-
You can purchase Essential Oils online or at a health food/ organic store in your area. I like www.auracacia.com
I put a few drops on a flannel cloth and have never had staining problems. I suppose if you really soaked the cloth, you could get staining, but I only use a few drops per load.
Alee Farmgirl Sister #8 www.awarmheart.com Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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dkisselburgh
Farmgirl at Heart

5 Posts
Diana
East Aurora
New York
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - Sep 06 2008 : 03:18:39 AM
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I've been trying the aluminum foil and it works to soften the clothes, but static is still there on the sweaters and fleece.
http://dianasfarmblog.blogspot.com |
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KansasConnie
True Blue Farmgirl
  
69 Posts
Connie
Atchison County
Kansas
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Sep 06 2008 : 11:49:03 AM
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When I have to resort to the dryer (like today!) I use the dryer balls to fluff a load of clothes. They aren't great for static, but I think they are better than nothing, are chemical free and low-cost. (They are usually blue...I picked mine up at Wal-Mart (one of only options locally) and I think they are available at Bed, Bath & Beyond and online at gaiam.com)
Just the other day, I washed my down comforter on the hand wash setting, hung it on the line (I kept fluffing it as it dried) and finished it for a couple minutes in the dryer with the dryer balls. It was even fluffier than when it was new and crammed in the package...warmer, too!! (I suppose a couple tennis balls would work also, but the resulting noise might be a little much!) |
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chickabella
True Blue Farmgirl
  
177 Posts

D. A.
Austin... ish,
Texas
177 Posts |
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KansasConnie
True Blue Farmgirl
  
69 Posts
Connie
Atchison County
Kansas
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Sep 10 2008 : 07:54:46 AM
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Those felted dryer balls are a fantastic idea--and pretty too! I think I'll have to compile some wool yarn leftovers and make a few. I'm thinking they'd be great for practical Christmas gifts!
And great tip on putting the tennis balls in a sock! |
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knittingmom
True Blue Farmgirl
    
665 Posts
AnneMarie
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
665 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 3:28:58 PM
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There's a reusable dryer "sheet" out there. In Canada I know you can find it at many health food stores now, organic markets and I think even places like Home Depot and Home Hardware carry them. It's about $12.00 but does something like 500 washes. |
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AmethystRose
True Blue Farmgirl
   
254 Posts
Rosemary
Huntingdon
PA
USA
254 Posts |
Posted - Sep 21 2008 : 5:26:08 PM
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Are you trying to avoid the commercial liquid fabric softeners? I take an old faded cotton handknit washcloth and pour a little on the dry cloth, turning it into a fabric softener sheet. |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
    
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Sep 21 2008 : 9:35:50 PM
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Anne Marie, Is this the product you were referring to?
http://www.staticeliminator.ca/page/page/363949.htm
I use it, and it doesn't get all of the static out, but it works okay for me and my family. I found mine at a local co-op.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
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Cleaning Up: Substitute for Fabric Softener Sheets?  |
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