An Alternative to Fabric Softener
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (188376)
Boise, Idaho
April 17, 2026 5:01pm CST
I really dislike using extra products in my washing. I use a powder detergent, and I don't go in for the new paper ones you can get now or the liquid. The less chemicals we bring into the home the better.
So, I have found that white vinegar works greet. You just add a half a cup to the rinse cycle. If you don't care for the smell of vinegar, there are no worries because the smell goes away when the clothes dry.
12 people like this
13 responses
@Ineeddentures (30170)
•
17 Apr
Fabric softener is good.
The stuff Yvonne and me use , Comfort , is really great.
Our guest said the first time she stayed over that the bed.sheets and duvet smelled really nice.
We put vinegar on our chips so we do use it
4 people like this
@toniganzon (76804)
• Philippines
17 Apr
The white vinegar should be distilled vinegar. Not just any white vinegar.
4 people like this
@id_peace (17037)
• Singapore
19 Apr
@celticeagle Ah yes but I do not know what is what. So long as they do clean the clothes for me, I guess it is fine.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (172922)
• United States
18 Apr
I use Downy to soften our clothes and towels/wash clothes while doing laundry.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (188376)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Apr
My daughter just uses the squares in the dryer.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (168685)
• United States
18 Apr
I am team vinegar all the way if anything. I have not used softener liquid or sheets or fragrance crystals etc. in at least twenty years, maybe longer. I used to get stains on my clothes from fabric softner.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (188376)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Apr
I don't use them either although my daughter likes to use the sheets.
@luisadannointed (10869)
• Philippines
18 Apr
My mom doesn't like using fabric conditioner, since our detergent have a mix of fabric condtioner.
She said it damages the color of the clothes.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (39933)
• Toccoa, Georgia
18 Apr
I like using dryer sheets to soften clothes, towels and sheets in the dryer.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (188376)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Apr
My daughter does the same. Vinegar is supposed to do the same thing without the chemicals.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (188376)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr
@LadyDuck ......I guess some don't care as long as it does the job.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (499638)
• Italy
19 Apr
@celticeagle - Fabric softeners are full of chemicals.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (188376)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Apr
Don't you still have a rinse cycle? So you can't use softness either?
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (188376)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr
@JudyEv .......You might be surprised.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (378656)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Apr
@celticeagle I think you add everything in different compartments before you start the wash. I probably need to go and read the manual.
1 person likes this
