Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen
Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen are folk-remedy experts and home tipsters based in New York City. They have spent decades collecting “cures from the cupboard” and are authors of several books, including Secret Food Cures.
Fabric softeners have chemicals that eliminate static electricity and help the fibers in the fabric fluff up. Giving fabrics a softer more comfortable feel against the skin. Starch, rather famously, has much the opposite effect stiffening fabrics and allowing them to hold creases longer when ironed. However, these benefits often come alongside fragrances or other chemicals that can irritate the skin. Starch and fabric softener alternatives can soften and stiffen fabrics as desired without the drawbacks that come with harsh chemicals.
In the following excerpt from Household Magic the authors Joan and Lydia Wilen provide starch and fabric softener alternatives to help keep your clothes feeling and looking their best without harsh chemicals and their side effects.
Many fabric softener sheets have chemicals that eliminate static cling in the dryer, help soften clothes and make them somewhat wrinkle resistant, and produce a fragrance that makes clothes smell fresh. The downside is that the chemicals used in the production of the sheets may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to them.
But don’t fret! There are earth derived, nontoxic wool dryer balls available. They cost $24.99 for six balls and last for three years (which means that by using them, you can save money in the long run). Molly’s Suds sells them, along with several other safe, cruelty free laundry products. Visit them at MollysSuds.com, or call 844-234-7837.
You can also purchase reusable hypo allergenic dryer sheets at NationalAllergy (800-522-1448). The sheets keep your fabrics soft and free of static without perfumes, dyes or chemicals and leave no residue on your clothes or in your dryer. These also save you money because you use them again and again and again…
However, if you do use regular, commercially produced fabric softeners, here are some helpful hints…
An allergic reaction—possibly even an asthma attack—can be caused by fabric softeners when they are used on bedding and clothing.
If you (or someone for whom you do the laundry) are sensitive in this way, you may want to skip the softener.
Save on Softener!
◆ Buy liquid softener instead of expensive fabric-softener sheets. Dilute the liquid with water and pour two capfuls of the mixture on a clean washcloth, then toss it into the dryer with your wash load.
◆ If you don’t want to use liquid softener, hair conditioner will also work—just use the same directions as above
During the last rinse cycle, add 1⁄4 cup of distilled white vinegar. It’s a good and inexpensive fabric softener, and it will make your colored washables more vivid. It will also help eliminate bacteria, mold and fungus.
The wash will not smell like vinegar… but it won’t have a nice, fresh air fabric softener smell, either. Also, overuse of vinegar in your washing machine could damage certain parts, but once every few months in small amounts should be fine.
Smart Hint for Towels
Do not use fabric softener when washing your kitchen towels—they will be more absorbent, and your plates don’t care if they feel rough.
Starch is a complex carbohydrate that is mostly found in corn, potatoes, wheat and rice. For laundry use, starch is used to help clothes (especially shirt collars) retain their stiffness and shape.
If you run out of storebought starch, you can make your own…
To prepare a super spray starch, you’ll need a bowl, cornstarch, cold water and a 16 ounce fine mist spray bottle.
For a light starch, combine one tablespoon of cornstarch with two cups of cold water in the bowl. For a heavier starch, use three tablespoons of cornstarch in the same amount of cold water. Mix well—making sure that the cornstarch is completely dissolved—then transfer the mixture from the bowl to the spray bottle.
To use the starch, shake the bottle, then spray the garment and iron immediately.
For additional tips and other advice for you and your home, purchase Household Magic from Bottomlineinc.com.
