Natural Homemade Fabric Softener

Is Fabric Softener Dangerous?

Fabric softeners are made of the worst toxic chemicals that can be found in household products. They and the dryer sheets work by leaving a thin layer of toxic chemicals on your clothes, which have long-lasting effects, unlike other toxic household products. Because of this effects, many people don’t want to use them in their homes, especially those who want to protect their children from toxic chemicals.

Every family will with the right raise the question about the validity of using fabric softener or dryer sheets.

The wellness website Sixwise.com highlighted the most harmful ingredients in dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener, including benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, ethanol, limonene, and chloroform among others.

Here are the side effects of these compounds:

–           Benzyl acetate is linked to pancreatic cancer

–           Benzyl alcohol affects an upper respiratory tract

–           Ethanol is linked to central nervous system disorders

–           Limonene is a known carcinogen and

–           Chloroform is a neurotoxin and carcinogen compound.

The fabric softeners are designed to have long-standing effects and the chemicals in them can seep out gradually and be inhaled or absorbed directly through the skin. The liquid fabric softeners have an advantage comparing to the dryer sheets, as the chemicals in dryer sheets get released into the air when they are heated up and can cause a respiratory health risk.

For those who want to avoid any side effects of the chemicals, there are simple, inexpensive alternatives that besides softening your clothes they will leave them smelling clean and fresh. The best thing is that you can prepare them at home.

Here are the instructions how to prepare 3 alternative softeners.

Recipe 1

Ingredients:

–           1/4 cup baking soda or 1/4 cup vinegar in your load

This alternative will give you the softness you are looking.

Recipe #2

Ingredients:

–           2 cups organic hair conditioner

–           3 cups vinegar

–           6 cups distilled water

Directions:

1)         Mix all ingredients

2)         Store the mixture in a large container

3)         Use it the same way you use bought softener.

Recipe #3

Ingredients:

–           30-40 drops of essential oil

–           1-gallon vinegar

Directions and use:

1)         Mix both ingredients

2)         Store the mixture in a large container

3)         Use ¼ cup per load.

This is a way how you can very simple keep your laundry soft, clean and chemical free!

Sources:

–           https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/greener-laundry/

–           http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/homemade-fabric-softener.html?t=HHL