When laundry is washed in hard water, calcium carbonate deposits on the fibers and makes clothes rough and dull. The fabric softener bought in supermarkets certainly makes it possible to soften the linen, but it is not without risk for health and the environment. However, you can replace your chemical fabric softener with natural products. Find out how to have soft clothes without fabric softener.
Rough laundry after machine washing is usually caused by hard water. To soften clothes, fabric softener is not always a good option, and for good reason, it has harmful effects on health and the environment.
Linen – Source: spm
What are the side effects of using fabric softener?
– Cause allergies: fabric softeners contain allergens that can cause allergies and lead to breathing difficulties or skin irritation. This is why they are strongly discouraged for baby clothes.
– Pollute the water: the water from the laundry is discharged into the sewers. However, the chemical compounds of fabric softeners are polluting agents that can threaten aquatic flora and fauna.
– Dirty the washing machine: excessive use of fabric softener causes the deposit of a thick film on the drawers of the washing machine, and clogs the ducts . Over time, this film darkens and causes mold to form. As a result, the laundry is not only stained, but also poorly rinsed.
How to have soft clothes without fabric softener?
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Lemon juice as an alternative to fabric softener
While lemon juice is best known for reviving white linen , it is also effective in dissolving limescale which makes clothes rough. To do this, simply pour the lemon juice into the softener compartment and start the usual washing programme.
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Baking soda to replace fabric softener
This essential household product is very effective in softening the fibers of laundry and making the water in the washing machine softer. To do this, pour a coffee cup of baking soda into the fabric softener compartment before doing the laundry. In addition to softening laundry, this natural deodorant will also allow you to neutralize bad smells in clothes .
Baking soda and lemon to soften laundry – Source: spm
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White vinegar instead of fabric softener
White vinegar to soften laundry – Source: spm
White vinegar is a natural product, very effective in softening laundry and also the water in your washing machine, thanks to its anti-limescale action. To do this, pour half a glass of white vinegar into the fabric softener compartment before each wash.
For hand washing, fill a basin with 2 liters of water, and add a glass of white vinegar. Soak your laundry in it and leave it on for a few hours, or even better, overnight. Rinse and wash your clothes with Marseille soap. Your laundry will be clean, soft and pleasant to the touch.
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Citric acid, a product used in place of fabric softener
Natural and biodegradable, citric acid is used in home maintenance to descale household appliances and remove traces of tartar from surfaces , thanks to its anti-limescale properties. It is therefore as effective as white vinegar in softening laundry. It is especially suitable for people who cannot stand the strong smell of white vinegar. To prepare your natural fabric softener, simply dilute 100 grams of citric acid in one liter of distilled water. Pour your solution into the softener drawer before starting a wash cycle. To additionally perfume your laundry, you can add a few drops of essential oil of your choice to your solution, such as essential oil of lavender, eucalyptus or lemon.
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Aluminum foil balls instead of fabric softener
The aluminum balls absorb static electricity from the laundry and therefore make the clothes softer. To do this, simply place two balls of aluminum foil the size of a tennis ball in the drum of your washing machine along with your laundry.
How to avoid having rough clothes?
– Do not overdose the detergent: too much laundry detergent can also cause your clothes to lose their softness. Indeed, detergent residues can deposit on the fibers of the laundry, making it rough. Not to mention that an overdose of detergent can leave white marks on clothes and clog the washing machine.
– Choose the right temperature: washing clothes using the wrong wash cycle can damage your clothes and make them rough. Indeed, if we take the case of wool, it can quickly become rough if you use a high temperature. Hence the need to check the label of your garment before washing your garment in the machine, especially if it is a delicate linen.
These natural and economical products will allow you to soften your laundry, without causing allergies or harming the environment.
