(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best fabric softener

I'm so sorry you were more personally affected than some. That was such a terrible thing to happen. Family is so important, but also any lives at all are important.

Some things that would improve me and my life.

On this list is this book. I have read two of her other books, "The Giver" and "Gathering Blue", I just bought the third book in that series, not even realizing for years until recently that there were more out there. The Giver is my all time favorite book.

On my default list is one of these. Working customer service I write down a lot of notes for each phone call, I waste a lot of paper in my little notepad because of this and I think that this board would definitely save some trees, but also make it easier to keep track of all my little notes. When I'm done with a call, I can just delete it and start over instead of marking things out and trying to find empty spots on the paper.

I also have, on the same default list, a downy ball. Mine was lost when I got divorced and for some reason I just can't find them in stores. To go along with the Downy ball, I also have thought about giving these a try. I have used tennis balls to get a similar effect. From what I hear, 4 or 6 of these should be about the same as my tennis ball trials. The problem is, I always get a slight hint of rubber when using the tennis balls. So I stopped using them.

Again, on that same list, this is my favorite painting ever. I bought the almond blossom a few months back.

Anyway, this comment got really long really fast.

Thanks for the contest and your kindness.

So, go ahead and sort my priorities for me if you would like.

This is a really rough month where I'm staying. We've got food stamps so we're OK there, but we could use a few household items.

Thank you!


Bleach
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FDX7YD0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_NMzrzbDJ406DT

Dish soap
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UEXGV8S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_QOzrzbBG6EZAJ

Toilet Paper
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FFJ2LXU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_WPzrzb53BE4J3

Dryer Sheets
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004CQBGTM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_DSzrzbHCS7KN7

EDIT: A friend was able to help us out AND I am starting a job next week so I hope to be OK here in the future.

add-ons are pesky!

I'd love this please! :)

I love add-on contests! Thank you!

wrap everything up in some scented fabric softener dryer sheets (like this - http://www.amazon.com/Bounce-Fresh-Linen-Sheets-160-Count/dp/B004CQ44WI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331523996&sr=8-1) that you put in with clothes in the dryer. it will neutralize the smell quite well and along with a ziplock bag and some rubber bands you will be 100% good to go. you don't need to do anything crazy like putting it in shampoo although def make sure that you put it in a proper hiding place that can't accidentally be found out by someone. good luck and enjoy!

forgot to add:
There are a few things you can add to boost the cleaning power of your homemade laundry detergent. I would add 1/2-1 cup of any of these to the above basic recipe.

Biz Stain Fighter laundry booster.
OxiClean, or better yet, Sun Oxygen Cleaner, generic oxiclean with the exact same active ingredient.
Water softener, such as Calgon, especially if you have hard water. (sounds like what the above commenter had, resulting in dingy/yellowing whites). But not only if you have hard water. It still boosts laundry cleaning even if you don't have hard water.

Too much of any of these, tho, and you start losing the cost saving benefit of making your own laundry detergent.

wash your washer!. She says to use the vinegar water to detail the machine, I personally use the bleach water but that's up to you. Then, use oxy-clean on your clothes for the next few weeks until they have all been washed and you should have no more smells. I have a landscaper for a husband (dirty clothes!) plus the kid and a ton of pets so I usually have to do this once a month. Also, I have been LOVING the little downy unstoppables beads, and you can just use fewer of them to get a lighter (but long lasting) scent. Hope this helps!

Tide Sport is what my husband and I use for our stinky clothes. My running clothes and his biking clothes would end up retaining odor until we switched to this. They smell great now.


I've also seen these Unstopable Scent Boosters but I don't have any personal experience with them. Maybe someone else does.


Good luck!

That's my own best solution, too. I usually include a damp cloth and one of these balls, which are fantastic at getting cat hair, lint, etc. off line dried things. They get slightly tacky in the heat of the dryer.

Amazon for $8 😁 they're in the dryer with a load right now, I'll report back with how I like them!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07BLS3HYQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Edit: They seemed to work really well!

There are ways to [test your water yourself]
(https://www.google.com/amp/m.wikihow.com/Determine-if-You-Have-Hard-Water%3famp=1), or you can buy a testing kit, I'm sure.

We definitely have hard water, and I put Rain Drops on my Amazon Subscribe & Save list so it just comes every few months without me having to think about it. I got a cheap jar from the dollar store, threw the right size measuring cup in here with it, and just add a scoop every time I have to wash diapers.

I'm pretty sure everyone is messing around and really knows those are dryer balls, right? Used to aid in drying clothes in a dryer. Under $18 on Amazon...

Feeling Fluffy New Zealand Wool Dryer Balls 6 Pack, Natural Softener https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0195TFZT2/

I remember back between 2001 and 2007, there was a home dry cleaning kit consisting of a plastic bag and special sheets. You'd put your dry clean clothes inside the bag with one of the sheets, and put it in the dryer. I haven't seen them for some time, so I don't know if they're still available. I think they were called Dry-El or something like that.

Edit: Yup, DryEl.

If you wanna be cheap, just do like me and get two hard [washing machine balls] (https://www.amazon.com/Washing-Machine-Softener-Ball-Chemicals/dp/B07CZK8Q6X) and roll your soles on it. Best feeling ever.

Anyone know of something one can replace dryer sheets with?
🤔
Actually did a quick search on amazon and found this
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D7Z40N2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_svbOBbRMMQCXM

Seems like a good option I think!

For laundry detergent, I use Nellie's Laundry soda, which I find very gentle but cleans all my cloths thoroughly (though, doesn't do much in the way of makeup stains). And for fabric softener, I use the Pure Eco Sheets, which are made from fabric and don't have any chemical treatment on them. I was skeptical when I received them as a gift, but they actually work really well!

Don't worry, the wool ones also come in Penguin and Sheep!

ACT NOW AND WE'LL THROW IN SOME COMPLIMENTARY DRAGON BALLS!

We have three dogs and three cats and LOTS of hair. We bought some wool dryer balls from Amazon and they have drastically cut down on the hair. Bonus: they're good for the environment and you're not buying dryer sheets anymore!
Wool Dryer Balls 6 Pack XL, Plemo 100% New Zealand Wool Reusable Organic Fabric Softener https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CQIHBZK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_na.NybT0SWGK5

Bounce Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets, Free & Gentle, 200 Count - Packaging May Vary

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00NCUJCV8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&me=&linkCode=ll1&tag=thebigaawes06-20&linkId=2542ec39a8743eda6c218ce194715a1c


https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91wLorBiz-L._SL1500_.jpg

Yup I'm gonna also jump on the dryer bandwagon. You can get these wool dryer balls in Amazon that do an amazing job at relofting jackets, quilts and sleeping bags. Probably a little more delicate on your gear/dryer than tennis balls
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014WOWNAY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jWa5CbKTP3EM5

I didn't realize any products like that existed if you didn't have a water softener installed.

http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Drops-Water-Softener-Ounce/dp/B005NZ4MGU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1425351054&sr=8-4&keywords=water+softener

I found that after a quick search, and I mean, I can't really see why someone wouldn't give it a shot to see if they don't have access to the full utility and they are very concerned with some more high end clothes. Would still test on a not as desired shirt though.

The poor man's dryer balls. If you want real ones that likely make less noise, this is what my wife uses

Wool Dryer Balls - Pack of 6 - Natural Fabric Softener, Reusable, Reduce Wrinkles, Saves Drying Time. Anti Static Large Felted Wool Clothes Dryer Balls is a Better Alternative to Plastic Balls. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014WOWNAY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_V1OVzb56N82NK

Around $5 on Amazon and you get 2 of them!

I got you fam.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Calgon-Water-Softener-32-oz./13424609

https://www.amazon.com/Calgon-Water-Softener-Powder-40-Ounce/dp/B004VL3ZPQ

i'm actually allergic to dryer sheets, so my mom found these for me to use instead. they work well, if not a bit noisily. and you only have to buy them once!

Has anyone used rain drops for hard water...[link] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NZ4MGU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_lMOAxbXMGNC33)...? I can't find Calgon in the store and is it expensive on Amazon. 😞