We all enjoy soft, clean smelling clothes. Still, it's important to consider what we're putting next to our skin when choose to use all those fancy softening agents that come in the form of liquid softeners, powders, and dryer sheets. If you've ever found yourself cleaning your own washing machine after discovering the build-up of these substances, you know exactly what I'm referring to.
I have a good washing machine, and it works just fine. I can pour my liquid softener right in the center cup and when the rinse cycle goes on, it will distribute it all over my laundry. Every few months however, I have to literally clean my entire washing machine because deposits of softener will begin to stain my clothes.
At first I thought there was something wrong with my machine, as new spots of grease appeared almost every time I did laundry. Then I notice the build-up of my liquid fabric softener, thick and gooey in hard to reach places in my washer. I took a wash cloth to remove the mess, unlatched the center device and rinsed it in the sink. To my amazement, clumps of thick cream, often tinted with a hint of mold loosened and came out. It took me more than an hour to remove the layers of liquid fabric softener that had built up in my machine.
All the while, I was rapidly becoming disgusted at the thought of what I was putting in direct contact with my skin. Let's face it. This stuff was nasty, and if it built up in my washing machine like this, you can bet it was doing a number on my clothes too. I determined to run them through an extra rinse cycle from now on and switch to dryer sheets.
It didn't take long for my dryer to stop drying my clothes as quickly as I was used to. I couldn't figure it out, because I always emptied the lint trap. Outside, the airflow was not as strong, and I knew I had a clog somewhere. I used a vacuum hose to suck up and loosen any lint that might be trapped. Hardly any came out. I remembered my bout with the washer and liquid fabric softener. Using deductive reasoning, I took my lint trap to the sink and ran it under water. That little screen sat there in my hand, holding the water without letting any out, just as if I were holding a bowl. I thoroughly scrubbed my lint trap to let the water pass through.
Again I thought of my clothes, only this time I didn't think about switching to a different kind of fabric softener. This time, I chose to switch to baking soda instead. Baking soda eliminates odors, softens clothes, and won't build up in my washing machine or dryer. It is all natural, and a whole lot cheaper than those chemically based products that make my appliances less effective. It's a great way to soften clothes without worrying about running into unexpected problems. All I have to do is add a little bit to the bottom of the washer before starting my laundry.
Fabric softener may smell nice and make your clothes soft, but it has its drawbacks. I for one enjoy not having the extra chore of scrubbing built up softener debris out of my washer and dryer lint trap. I also appreciate that baking soda actually keeps my washer and dryer smelling a whole lot better now too.