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| | Post New Topic | | The quest for soft laundry | Views: 48 | | Oct 07, 2009 1:18 pm | | The quest for soft laundry | # | 
Marguerite Velthuizen | | There's nothing quite like the feel of fresh, soft towels. With the prevalence of skin sensitivities, and a desire to make more environmentally friendly choices, however, many people are choosing to stay away from traditional fabric-softeners. Read on to see how you can have soft laundry and absorbent cloths and towels without the chemical coating.
Soft textiles are influenced by a number of different factors. First of all, the water you wash your laundry in can make a big difference. Hard water, for example, can lead to a build-up of calcium and lime on fabric, which over time can make it feel harder and make it less absorbent. To prevent this problem, consider using a Magnet Ball in your top-loading washing machine. The Magnet Ball prevents calcium molecules from building up in dishwashers and washing machines. The Magnet Ball also saves you money as it allows you to use 50-70% less soap then you normally would. Adding some vinegar to the rinse cycle helps to prevent the build-up of calcium and lime as well. To treat cloths that may already be affected by hard-water build-up, soak them in vinegar prior to laundering them.
Laundry detergents can also be notorious for leaving clothes feeling hard. The reason is that many of them contain fragrances and fillers that do not readily rinse out of fabric. This is the same reason that some detergents may be irritating to skin. When selecting a detergent, look for one that contains no fillers.
Consider using dryer balls in your dryer. They are designed to lift and separate laundry while softening fabric. There are a number of different dryer balls on the market. They vary in price and durability. If you want them to last, look for dryer balls that have a warranty on them.
Don't over-dry your laundry. It is important to watch your drying time carefully, and to take your laundry out when it is JUST dry. This will help reduce static electricity as well. Remember that dryer balls reduce drying time (which saves power and money!)
If you are careful to watch what you do to your laundry every step of the way, you will discover that it is possible to have soft clothes and towels without adding harmful chemicals.
Marguerite Velthuizen
http://www.norwexhelpingkids.com
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