I've been wondering about this since I'm about ready to purchase a new bottle of fabric softener and I suspect that's why my washer smells. Also, I don't know if I'm willing to totally give up on a laundry specific product and use vinegar to soften my clothes. Years ago, I was told something about the dangers of the chemicals in fabric softener from someone who was working in a chemical manufacturing plant. They were told that they should never come into contact with a particular chemical, a main ingredient in fabric softener, because it was highly toxic. That freaked me out and I didn't use fabric softener for years but finally gave in to the sweet smell and static free feel of chemically softened clothes.
So... I started surfing and came across a bunch of interesting links but thought this was the most easy read: http://www.grinningplanet.com/2004/04-29/stop-static-cling-fabric-softener-article.htm I also came across a line of safe/eco friendly products which are available at your local grocery store or online: http://www.ecos.com/ If you can afford it, Melaleuca products are great but some can be a bit pricey. http://www.melaleuca.com/ps/index.cfm You do however, get what you pay for. I still have floor cleaner from them that I purchased a couple of years ago. Come to think of it, I'm almost finally out of my all purpose cleaner so maybe I'll give Earth Friendly Products' all purpose cleaner a try too!
I'm excited to try these products and looking forward to trying the laundry products, especially on the kids' clothes!
