For those who use vinegar in lieu of fabric softener in wash...

[BikeBookBread]

How much do you put into your fabric softener dispenser? Full strength? Diluted with water? Can you add essential oil?

 

Thanks!

[Desert Rat]

:bigear:

[Paula in PA]

I use it full strength and usually fill the cup. There is a slight odor when they come out of the washer, but by the time they're dry, it's gone. I don't know about the essential oil, but it's an interesting idea.

[Joker]

I've been using 1 cup full strength during the rinse cycle for years now with no problem. I don't add anything to it so I'm interested to see what others say about oils.

[Guest Katia]

I add lavender essential oils to my white vinegar. About 20 drops per gallon. For each load, I add 2/3 cup to the last rinse, unless the load is really large, like sheets, towels or blankets, then I add 1 cup.

[BikeBookBread]

I add lavender essential oils to my white vinegar. About 20 drops per gallon. For each load, I add 2/3 cup to the last rinse, unless the load is really large, like sheets, towels or blankets, then I add 1 cup.

 

:) This is what I was hoping to hear!

[chiguirre]

I fill the fabric softener compartment with white vinegar. I've never noticed an odor and it keeps my front loader fresh, too.

[cjzimmer1]

I would imagine the amount you would need would depend on whether you have a front loader or a top loader. I have a front loader and use about 1/4 cup per load.

[MaMa2005]

I fill the fabric softener compartment with white vinegar. I've never noticed an odor and it keeps my front loader fresh, too.

 

:iagree:

[Faith]

I use about 1/4 c. per load. (top loader) I also use essential oil in it. I just dump some in. I never counted the drops. Never a vinegar smell.

[Reesegirl]

Vinegar is also a great presoak for new dark wash fabric or denim. It sets the dye.

[Sandy in Indy]

I use 1/2 cup in my front loader in the towel loads and for the clothes during the summer. (Too much static in winter clothes, so I use dryer sheets in the winter.)

[Poke Salad Annie]

I am glad to read about using the essential oil and vinegar in the wash.

 

Now I know this sounds crazy, but since we're on the subject of washing, I have been wondering about adding an antiseptic to the wash at times. I have been adding a bit of concentrated Lysol, but I would like to use something a little less, I don't know, *caustic*?

 

So, I'm wondering about Listerine--the golden colored version, probably cheapie from Dollar General or so. Would that offer the same type of antiseptic action to the laundry, say, when my child has been playing in yucky rain water and mud? Just wondering....

[BikeBookBread]

I am glad to read about using the essential oil and vinegar in the wash.

 

Now I know this sounds crazy, but since we're on the subject of washing, I have been wondering about adding an antiseptic to the wash at times. I have been adding a bit of concentrated Lysol, but I would like to use something a little less, I don't know, *caustic*?

 

So, I'm wondering about Listerine--the golden colored version, probably cheapie from Dollar General or so. Would that offer the same type of antiseptic action to the laundry, say, when my child has been playing in yucky rain water and mud? Just wondering....

 

Tea Tree oil is a natural antiseptic, as is lavender.

[Poke Salad Annie]

Tea Tree oil is a natural antiseptic, as is lavender.

 

 

*hits head with palm* (as in, wow! I could have had a V8!)

 

I totally forgot about that. I have both of those, and have been adding the tea tree oil to vinegar to wipe the counters.

 

*slinking off in embarrassment...*

[kewb]

I use the vinegar full strength, about a 1/4 cup. Before I had a washing machine with a fabric softener cup I just filled a downey ball to the line and tossed it in.

[StephanieZ]

I am glad to read about using the essential oil and vinegar in the wash.

 

Now I know this sounds crazy, but since we're on the subject of washing, I have been wondering about adding an antiseptic to the wash at times. I have been adding a bit of concentrated Lysol, but I would like to use something a little less, I don't know, *caustic*?

 

So, I'm wondering about Listerine--the golden colored version, probably cheapie from Dollar General or so. Would that offer the same type of antiseptic action to the laundry, say, when my child has been playing in yucky rain water and mud? Just wondering....

 

Chlorine bleach!! You'd be amazed what you can bleach safely. Pretty much anything cotton comes out just fine. Cotton/poly does fine, too. (I am not so sure about nylon or other synthetics.)

 

HOT water and a hot dryer kill nearly anything, FWIW.

[Guest Katia]

I am glad to read about using the essential oil and vinegar in the wash.

 

Now I know this sounds crazy, but since we're on the subject of washing, I have been wondering about adding an antiseptic to the wash at times. I have been adding a bit of concentrated Lysol, but I would like to use something a little less, I don't know, *caustic*?

 

So, I'm wondering about Listerine--the golden colored version, probably cheapie from Dollar General or so. Would that offer the same type of antiseptic action to the laundry, say, when my child has been playing in yucky rain water and mud? Just wondering....

 

You could try adding some rubbing alcohol. I haven't added it to my laundry, but I do add it to my cleaner (1/3 part vinegar, 1/3 part water, 1/3 part 91% rubbing alcohol) which I use to disinfect by bathroom, kitchen counters and cutting board. It works great on hard surfaces, but I have idea how it reacts to clothing as far as bleaching-out the colors might go.

 

But, hey, it's worth a try!

[Mabeline]

I know some essential oils have some antimicrobial properties, for example lavender and tea tree oil. There are probably more. HTH