Fabric softener?

 I've read all sorts of advice and tips regarding "DIY fabric softener"
- vinegar, bicarb soda, borax, lemon essence, just to name a few.
From all the different things I've read, I have no idea what works and
what doesn't.
If anyone has tried using any homemade/DIY fabric softener that truly
works for clothes HUNG OUTDOORS (as opposed to simply a fragrance
additive), I'd like to hear about it.  While adding something like
lemon essence may give fabrics a really nice smell, I doubt it will do
much to soften the fabric.  What I'd also like to know is how fabric
softener actually works (i.e. how it softens fabrics).

  Gas Bag wrote:

I dont bother. I always hang the washing out outside and even the jeans are
fine.

 
I think it's like hair conditioner. It adheres to the fibers and
lubricates them so they don't stiffen. Look at the list of
ingredients. Chances are, its a short chain polyethylene glycol.

DB

 Gas Bag wrote:

How very nice to see some life in a.h.c.
Many in this group have sworn by vinegar. Myself, if I want soft washing, I
use my relations water, they live five miles away but have a different water
provider. I never need conditioner there.  At my home the water is so hard
the washing is stiff as a board despite all sorts of conditioners being
tried. When the washing is dry a hot iron will soften it - as long as the
material is suitable.

 


Why not invest in a good water softener?   We have a Ecowater brand 3500
series and it's wonderful.  The dishwasher and washing machine require far
less soap to perform their duties as well.   Showers are shorter and cheap
garbage soap lathers quite well with softened water.

Our water is 25 hardness.  No more deposits when you boil water for your
veggies.