Sunday 19 September 2021

Do you use fabric conditioner?

I don't and haven't done so for many years. I had read, from several sources, about what was in it and decided to stop using it. Instead I turned to true white vinegar, rather than the chip shop stuff. I used to be able to buy 5 litre containers locally but now have to buy online. It doesn't leave a smell, softens fabric quite well, helps keep the machine clean, can be used for other cleaning jobs - what's not to like? 

Rhonda had this link on her blog so will also link to it here.

I have also recently ordered 1 kg food grade each of citric acid and bicarbonate of soda, for cleaning and baking purposes. Since putting bicarb and vinegar down my sinks once a week, smells that were building up have gone. 

I use citric acid to clean my kettle and help get limescale from taps and remove the grunge from the base of them where they join the sink. I also use it whilst making elderflower cordial. If you use citric acid for any other reasons, can you let me know! 


24 comments:

  1. I use fabric conditioner primarily to get rid of the static cling in clothes - I seem to be full of static electricity (I get little shocks when I touch metal things like the car door, all the time, whereas husband doesn't). So does the white vinegar get rid of static?

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    1. Haven’t noticed any change. I too get that and have learned to never let go of the car door, making sure I am holding a bit of the metal before I move. That seems to help.

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  2. I stopped using fabric conditioner years ago. I just don't bother with anything at the rinse stage.

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  3. I just enjoy the bicarb/vinegar chemical reaction every time I clean the drain!
    Cleaning the kettle with citric acid sounds a good plan I shall give it a try. Think I used to buy it for making lemonade many years ago.

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    1. I got the idea from here http://myabundantlife07.blogspot.com/2015/02/cleaning-your-kettle.html

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  4. Re the kitchen sink smells - leaving the drain warm after emptying the sink after washing up can exacerbate smells. A quick run of the cold tap every time will help this on a daily basis, as well as a proper weekly clean; learned that from my granny :)

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    1. We do put cold down after emptying the sink but think the smell is from the main drain backtracking up. Barely noticeable really.

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  5. No, hardly at all. If I want soft, fluffy towels, I finish them off in the tumble dryer and the rest seems fine without.
    I have those little sticks that you put down the plug holes once a month and they seem to sort out the pongs that even the best kitchen can get occasionally.
    I used to use citric acid in bread making!
    XX
    xx

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    1. I think I did that with bread many years ago. Kitchen sink isn’t too bad but the bathroom one was worse until I started using bicarbonate and vinegar.

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  6. I live at the coast with high humidity and use vinegar,, but I am visiting on the highveld at the moment and the climate is very dry so conditioner is required to get rid of the static. So depends where you are.

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    1. Very true. Don’t think our climate on the whole has that problem, except maybe those who live in the mountains.

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  7. I don't use it. I can't stand the strong smell of some brands. I occasionally use white vinegar but mainly it's just washing powder.

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    1. I don’t like wash powders or liquids, just find their smells overpowering.

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  8. I only use it on fleece blankets and dressing gowns so a bottle lasts a long time.

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    1. Sounds good for snuggly things but vinegar isn’t too bad.

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  9. I sparingly use a vegan fabric softener I buy from dunelm mill. I avoid usual brands with tallow. I'm sure fabric softener adds to the "fat bergs" that blocks the drains.

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    1. Probably. These are vegan so should be okay for that side of things.

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  10. Can't stand the smell of conditioner and to me it makes the washing feel tacky. And despite all the pretty pictures you're not supposed to use conditioner on towels because it coats the fibres and makes the towel less absorbent so less good for drying.

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    1. Didn’t know that but we half dry our towels, then line dry. They are reasonably soft after that.

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  11. I have never used fabric softener, and this winter I am going to try my hand at making some wool dryer balls.

    God bless.

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    1. Yes, I have looked at those. Would be interesting to see how they go.

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  12. We use white vinegar too. It's really cheap in Aldi..... or do you know of a cheaper place?

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    1. I buy 4 x 5 litre containers online for £20, with free delivery.

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