Why You Should Ditch Your Fabric Softener
We’ve all seen the blue bottle with the photo of a baby snuggling in a soft, pink blanket. The message is - “Use this to get softer, fresher smelling clothes.” But is that true and is it necessary?
As a toxin-free laundry service, we at OrangeBag advise you to ditch the fabric softener. Not only can it irritate sensitive skin, leave a layer of residue on your clothes, and reduce the absorption of your towels - but it’s also filled with toxic chemicals that aren’t good for you or the planet.
Fabric softeners work by depositing a layer of electrically charged chemical compounds on fabric. This coating causes the fibers on clothes to fluff up, making fabric feel softer next to your skin. They also neutralize electric charge, which eliminates static cling.
But the benefits of fabric softener stop there. Fabric softeners can reduce flame resistance on children’s sleepwear (which are also toxic chemicals), and it leaves a residue in your machine that can cause mildew to grow in.
But how do you get softer, fresher smelling clothes without fabric softener?
Fresh smelling, static-free laundry is attainable with a few, simple, natural laundry hacks!
1 - USE A TOXIN-FREE LAUNDRY DETERGENT
Chemical-based commercial laundry detergents can leave a residue on your clothes. While their selling point is “leaving your clothes smelling fresh” - the chemical fragrances deposit a film onto your clothes that can leave them looking dingier over time and smelling anything but fresh.
2 - WASH SHEETS AND TOWELS SEPARATELY
Sheets and towels are different fabrics and different weights. They need separate washer and dryer cycles to ensure they are able to get clean and dry fully at the right temperature.
3 - USE WOOL DRYER BALLS
Wool dryer balls are not only natural, but they help your laundry dry faster and feel softer, while they eliminate static cling.
We love our OrangeBag New Zealand Wool Dryer Balls. They last through several hundred loads. You can also add scented essential oils prior to the dryer cycle and they will make your clothes smell naturally fresh!
Final Thoughts
Fabric softener was popularized in the 1960’s when advancements in laundry detergents and machine technology did not exist. It is not necessary and NOT good for you or the planet.
At OrangeBag, we use toxin-free laundry detergent and wool dryer balls with every load. So if you need help with your laundry and want to avoid the toxic chemicals most laundry services use, download the app and schedule a pickup today!