Mumsnet promoting fabric softeners - oh dear!

How much soda does one need ?

When I was teaching , children used to smell the un named sweatshirts to see if it was theirs! My grandchildren’s clothes really reek of Comfort and I loathe it

I once found my new car ( the only new car I’ve ever bought) was covered in dried on sap from a nearby pine tree. In a complete panic I did some Googling and it recommended using fabric conditioner. So, at 12 o’clock at night I smeared my car in it and it worked!

Incidentally, perfume itself is bad for the environment.

Blondiescot

I'm not trying to be funny here, and I do sympathise with you, but I'd imagine that many people who use the products you've mentioned do so precisely because they contain perfume.

Exactly

I don’t ever read the email - so that would be why not!

What email?

Isn’t it illegal to wear perfume in public places in some countries eg Canada ( or did I dream that up?). I used vinegar as a fabric softener now. Cleans the machine as well, I believe.

grandtanteJE65

MayBeMaw

I'm still puzzled by the context.
What mumsnet spiel ??
Clearly I have missed something- can you enlighten me please OP?

It was the topic contained in the e-mail from Gransnet yesterday, I seem to remember you don't wait for their e-mail, so that will be why you didn't see it.

I clicked on it and a whole long article came up.

Unfortunately, I don't know how to access it without the e-mail, so this probably does not help.

I don’t ever read the email - so that would be why not!

For goodness sake!

I've always understood that fabric softener gunks up your clothes, as well as your washing machine.

Not that I can see any point in using it, clothes are absolutely fine without it. The only washed items that I find are 'hard' without any sort of treatment are towels; I have to confess that mine go in the tumble dryer (not even line drying them on a breezy day leaves them anything but hard)

It surprises me that mumsnet appears to be promoting them (but then, have you ever read a mumsnet 'washing' thread )

MayBeMaw

I'm still puzzled by the context.
What mumsnet spiel ??
Clearly I have missed something- can you enlighten me please OP?

It was the topic contained in the e-mail from Gransnet yesterday, I seem to remember you don't wait for their e-mail, so that will be why you didn't see it.

I clicked on it and a whole long article came up.

Unfortunately, I don't know how to access it without the e-mail, so this probably does not help.

Fabric softener is made of a mixture of ammonia and rendered fat from cows, sheep, horses etc. And is definitely not good for our environment .

I'm still puzzled by the context.
What mumsnet spiel ??
Clearly I have missed something- can you enlighten me please OP?

JackyB, I don’t think I’m allergic to the perfumes, they are just so overpowering they make my eyes stream. I think it’s because I used to suffer with sinus problems.

But,Nandad isn't the allergic reaction the same whether you can actually smell the perfume or not?

One positive (for me) of Covid related anosmia is that I can’t smell washing powders and fabric softener. A friend uses both as well as the scented sheets that go in dryers. Sometimes I leave her house looking like I’ve spent the afternoon crying my eyes out!

Definitely no perfume on public transport, even if by a miracle I'm not allergic to mine lol

I will certainly try to be more considerate of others wearing scents etc in future

I came very close to being very sick over the lady sitting in front of me on the bus. Her perfume was very cloying and very strong. Even when I moved further down the bus it was catching in my throat. Fortunately the bus stopped so I could get off and get rid of the smell. She'll never know how close she came ?

I use white vinegar and a dash of lemon disinfectant in my conditioner drawer. I also run a 90° wash about once every month with soda crystals and white vinegar…

I never used to use it, but I do now, against my better judgement.

I will certainly try to be more considerate of others wearing scents etc in future

I think I don't smell ours and assumed it didn't have a strong smell but maybe I'm just used to it

I stopped using it ages ago, after reading that it (and the laundry pods) cause a build up of gunk in your washing machine.
As advised I did a 90 deg empty wash with just soda crystals and it was amazing, the dirty looking foam that appeared. And again with a 2nd ditto wash, but less.

Nowadays I just use powder - I lot less than I ever did - and soda crystals in every wash.

I hate fabric conditioner, never use it.
I have Emphysema and the scent, like other products, makes me ill.Fabric conditioner also destroys washers, just have a look at the gunk it leaves in the detergent drawer.

VioletSky

I just use asda sensitive non bio. Fairy sensitive non bio actually caused a reaction for us, I'd forgotten that as it was years ago

I find Fairy doesn't rinse out very well either, especially when washing towels.

I suppose it's possible Josieann, I never like to make a fuss so....
Usually I take my own pillow cases and sheets! Yes, what a palava it is too!
More often than not, we stay in self catering so we can do as we wish.
I recently stayed in a lovely hotel for a family occasion, and to my amazement the sheets were unscented, and so was the room.
It can be the case that chemical fragrances are sprayed around which is just as bad.

JaneJudge I dont think my cleaning routine would suit many.
I wash my clothes in sensitive washing up liquid (Waitrose) after spot cleaning with white vinagar.
The sheets are washed in ordinary cheap unbranded washing powder, on a high temperature, then re washed in the above washing liquid (to wash as much of the scent away). Then, left to line dry for as many days as it needs to blow the scent away.
Thats the only way I can find around the problem.

It was a complete nightmare when the children lived at home. You know how teens are with their personal hygiene, sprays everywhere, X4. It got to the stage where I had to ask/insist they sprayed whilst outside!! Not practical with deodorant though, so I had a permanent headache and streaming eyes for around 15 years