cool whip and fabric softener

[Marcie]

are the two chemically-laden products that have a special place in my heart. i've recently discovered trader joe's version of cool whip, which is delicious. but what about fabric softener? i never use it for my kids, but for DH and me, i love to have soft clothes out of the drier. any suggestions? i can't find a natural substitute.

[Inca]

I've heard (but cannot confirm) that Vinegar in the rinse cycle acts as a softner.

[macksmom]

My DH LOVES cool whip. I don't get it lol. Have you tried whipping your own cream? Oh man....

As for the fabric softer - what about a dryer ball in the dryer? I don't know what they are really supposed to do. I now make my own detergent and do not use liquid fabric softener just a dryer sheet but I know they are bad too....I have been thinking about trying a dryer ball.

[3andMe]

I have used dryer balls and they do not compare to dryer sheets.

[JJorn]

We use wool drier balls. I honestly have not noticed a difference but since I had use those unscented/free and clear drier sheets before there wasn't a scent that I had to miss as well. Scented drier sheets can give me hives.

[misfit]

I have a bottle of Ecover, but I never use it. I just don't use fabric softener because it can coat the inside of the dryer and get on our cloth diapers. I'd be more likely to use dryer balls.

[Marcie]

My DH LOVES cool whip. I don't get it lol. Have you tried whipping your own cream? Oh man....

As for the fabric softer - what about a dryer ball in the dryer? I don't know what they are really supposed to do. I now make my own detergent and do not use liquid fabric softener just a dryer sheet but I know they are bad too....I have been thinking about trying a dryer ball.

I actually meant dryer sheets - I've never used the liquid softener, way too much work to interrupt the cycle since I am rarely home when the laundry is going. Maybe I need to look into this dryer ball thing...

And yeah, I do love homemade whipped cream. But cool whip is a totally different flavor and texture. You are either a cool whip fan, or you're not! I think it may be a genetic predisposition, like cilantro!

[macksmom]

I actually meant dryer sheets - I've never used the liquid softener, way too much work to interrupt the cycle since I am rarely home when the laundry is going. Maybe I need to look into this dryer ball thing...

And yeah, I do love homemade whipped cream. But cool whip is a totally different flavor and texture. You are either a cool whip fan, or you're not! I think it may be a genetic predisposition, like cilantro!

True. My DH definitely has it in his genes...my in laws love it too! I wonder if my kids got the "cool whip gene"?

[pepperlru]

I use a bunch of dryer balls and they work fine, but maybe we're all just used to less-soft clothes now.

[Windy]

If you are used to commercial stuff then vinegar and dryer balls may not do it for you. Ecover is what we've used and it compares to 'regular'. I don't know if there is an eco friendly alternative for dryer sheets though - but i could have sworn i had a dryer sheet diy thingy somewhere at one point...

[Windy]

Search and ye shall find
http://www.northerncheapskate.com/20...-dryer-sheets/
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf274635.tip.html
http://www.curbly.com/users/DIY-Mave...e-dryer-sheets

hth

[ZsaZsa]

I use Dr. Meyers dryer sheets fairly Eco friendly and they are recyclable love all the smells as well!

[fsunolesgirl]

I use Dr. Meyers dryer sheets fairly Eco friendly and they are recyclable love all the smells as well!

I, too, am a fabric softener junky. I used cloth with both my girls and the Mrs. Myers and 7th Generation softeners never affected my diapers, as far as residue left in the washing machine from the liquid. I prefer Mrs. Myers, my hubby prefers 7th Generation.

[i.<3.cheesysmiles]

I use a bunch of dryer balls and they work fine, but maybe we're all just used to less-soft clothes now.

this. I stopped using fabric softener about 8 years ago. I started using dryer balls about 3 years ago. I think they help make the clothes softer. I know that my towels aren't as soft as my mom's (who uses sheets), but they are not as crunchy as MILs (who uses nothing).

[HisWifeHerMom]

I just cut my dryer sheets into 4's they go along way and just the right amount of softness for our family...however I am married to a man who has to have Liquid fabic softer and dryer sheets *sigh* I thought Woman were suppose to be the high maintenance ones!!!

[red2005]

I miss soft, fluffy towels. I hate static cling in the dry winter season. We can't use traditional fabric softeners because of allergies. I have tried vinegar, dryer balls...nothing compares. I have used Seventh Generation unscented dryer sheets and they came close!