But What About The Dryer?
Ok, so onto the next part of doing laundry, fabric softener.
Most people probably think there are only 2 options when it comes to fabric softeners; dryer sheets or liquid fabric softener. I know that I did anyways.
A little while ago I wrote about paper fabric sheets that are recyclable so I didn't feel too bad about buying them since they aren't as wasteful. However, now that winter has rolled around I've been finding that they aren't doing much for static, that and my mom really didn't like the scent they left on the clothes.
Now I had switched to those after using vinegar on a cloth tossed into the dryer. I thought that worked pretty well but again there was the scent issue. I don't think they made the clothes smell bad, I think the problem is that we have a gas dryer (everything in this house runs on propane!) and I think that was the problem. I tried adding lavender to the towel but it didn't help. Now that i think about it what probably would have been better would be adding essential oil to another towel and toss instead of the one with vinegar on it.
You can also add ½ cup vinegar to the rinse cycle to soften clothes and reduce static. I haven't tried this one and I'm not sure why.
Something else I learned about recently through a Twitter party (#ecowed Wednesday night 7 pacific) is wool dryer balls.
According to le petit owlet “Wool is naturally non-allergenic, fire retardant, wrinkle resistant, and water repellent.” So that seems to suggest that it would work very well in the dryer, even my over hot gas dryer.
I found a couple of sites with directions on how to make them.
The first one tells you how to make them with an old pair of wool socks.
The second site tells you how to make them using wool yarn. It doesn't say, but I think choosing organic wool yarn would probably be a good idea.
I've heard (from the ladies on #ecowed) that these work really well. A lot of them add essential oil to the balls before they toss them in as well for a nice scent.
These will definitely be my next project with my mom.
I'm sure that there are even more green fabric softening, static reducing tips out there and I'd love to know if you have any.
12 comments:
Hm, interesting. I love vinegar for many things. There are so many things we use that i never even think about, drier sheets being one of them.
i'm definitely going to try these ideas. i do the vinegar in the rinse but DH likes his clothes to smell nice so i'll be trying the wool balls with oils. thanks
vinegar is awesome when cook fish or eat dumplings...I barely buy it, but thanks for evoking my memories...
greenest ideas,
greatest post,
cheers, ;)
I guess wool is non allergen only if you are not alergic to wool. My son and I both have an allergy to wool which causes a major skin irritation so I'd say just be sure you and your family don't have this allergy. :-)
Huh, I think I learn something new almost every time I visit you.
ooo, p.s., lol. glad you got a laugh at my place today, ha ha ha!
Thanks so much for posting these dryer options. I have seen another type of dryer ball. I am not sure how well they work, but here is a link:
http://www.reusablebags.com/store/nellies-allnatural-pvcfree-dryerballs-p-1636.html
They have mixed reviews on static and scent, but do seem to reduce the drying time:)
i love my wool dryer balls :) I think htey are the best - in the winter I have to use about 8 to keep the static down. If you don't feel like making them, you can also buy them on etsy - I sell them at my shop Domestically Green
I LOVE the ones I bought at www.WoolDryerBalls.com ! You want to stay away from raveled up wool yarn balls as they do unravel after a month use!! This mom at the above site makes them differently so they will last for years (Ours are over a year and half old!). Hers are also the best priced around.
wow, enjoy to be painted green again,
smiles,
cheers, ;)
It's a good thing I read my daughters blog. Now I know what our next project will be.
I have a feeling if this works out, we also have Christmas gifts for a few family members. This could also work as gifts for my co-workers. Happy Day!
^_^
Nessa - I'm still surprised with all the non food uses for vinegar.
Christi - thanks for bringing up the allergy warning!
evergreen - Thanks for the tip!
Jackie & Mary - I'll be sure to check out both sites.
Carol - ;)
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