Clingy Fabric Softener.

[Crocus]

For quite a while now I'm using a bio fabric softener. I keep my washing powder and fabric softner in glass containers on the counter above the machine as it looks much nicer than the plastic or whatever container.
I wash the softener container each time before I fill it up again and I notice that the softener is quite clingy. It sticks to the insides of the glass container and it's quite a job cleaning it out - I put hot water in and leave it for a while to 'soften' the softener but it takes quite a bit of shaking, scrubbing and rinsing.

What is the effect on the clothes I wonder if it sticks to the inside of the container? Will it be the same or different because it's fabric? Someone perhaps know or experience something similar?

[jazzactivist]

I think that is what softener is meant to do, crocus - soften the fibres of clothes by clinging to them. This works especially well on clothes made of natural fibres. Glass is a natural product made of sand, so in a way it isn't surprising that the softener sticks to it. I would put some hot water in the bottle with some white vinegar or lemon juice to see if it it helps to clean it.

[Crocus]

While I was typing the post I was thinking maybe vinegar will do the job. I suppose ech time clothes are being washed the softener will be washed out otherwise it may have same effect as floor/furniture polish which can build up over time. x

[jazzactivist]

I think that it does after a while, crocus, and it makes your clothes go limp. I had a cotton shirt that I loved but the collar was made of a stiffer cotton. I always used fabric softener on it and after a while it was very soft but just hung like a rag. I have had the same experience with trousers too. I think that every once in a while it is a good idea to wash items that you regularly use softener on in just water with some white vinegar added. A friend of mine used terry nappies for her babies and she did this every so often and said that it really brought them back to life.

[franbee]

One thing that fabric conditioner does is reduce the absorbancy of fabric, so it's best not to use too much on towels, or nappies.

[dragonfly]

I heard you can use white vinegar as a fabric softener. I don't use softner so wouldn't know the difference.

[Crocus]

I've read that somewhere DF, and think I'll try it out. I wonder how much one should use?

[cindy]

:DWouldn't the vinegar make the clothes smell

[dragonfly]

No Cindy. I have tried it and there is no vinegar smell.

[jazzactivist]

I think that someone on RM posted about white vinegar no too long ago.

[Crocus]

I realised yesterday that the fabric softener doesn't cling to the inside of the plastic bottle, only to the inside of the glass container I keep it in. Why would that be I wonder?