TIGHTWAD TUESDAY - Cheap & Healthy Fabric Softener

Last week I wrote about making your own Laundry Soap, so this week I thought it would be a great time to follow up with inexpensive Fabric Softener. It is quite simple, really. All you need is a big jug of good quality White  Distilled Vinegar. In place of your commercial fabric softener, simply use 1/4 to 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar (depending upon your load size) in the softener cup or added at the time you would normally add fabric softener. And that's it! It's that simple! ..... and cheap!

Apple cider vinegar would probably work, but there is a big risk of it staining your clothes, too. You can also add a few drops (it doesn't take much) of your favorite essential oils to the vinegar if you just have to have the fragrance in your laundry. But once again, I strongly suggest you steer away from the darker oils to avoid staining. Many essential oils also give a boost of germ killing action, too, and some grease cutting benefits. I like the citrus essential oils because they smell so clean and fresh, kill germs AND cut grease!

Distilled White Vinegar is a natural fabric softener, removes soap residue from your clothes and washer (my washer was so shiny clean after just a few uses), helps to remove odors, and kills germs, mold and mildew. Distilled White Vinegar is also the best fabric softener choice in children's fire-retardant clothing as commercial fabric softeners can interfere with the fire retardant properties. Vinegar also prevents yellowing of your lights and reduces static cling. I really wish I had known about this when my kids were growing up!

Commercial Fabric softeners are also loaded with strong, irritating fragrance and chemicals. You would be surprised at just how many, and the harshness of, the chemicals contained in ordinary, store-bought Fabric Softener.  HERE is a list of some of them and what they do to your body.  So by using Distilled White Vinegar in your rinse, which costs MUCH less than commercial Fabric Softeners, you may very well be saving far more money on medical bills and medications! I have been using white vinegar in my rinse cycle now for several years and I love it so much, I will never go back the commercial made stuff. Now, when I get around someones freshly done laundry that commercial fabric softener has been used in, I immediately start sneezing and getting all choked up. Distilled White Vinegar in your laundry's rinse cycle... it's the BEST choice!