Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Works-For-Me-Wednesday: Dreft Alternative...


This is my first Works for me Wednesday!! I've been reading them for a while and finally decided today to jump in, too.



Ever since I knew we were going to bring Elizabeth home from China, I started looking at prices for Dreft detergent. It's not that cheap. Plus, what IS it that makes it preferrable for use on baby clothes? There's no scent. So I decided to start using All Free Clear. Not only does it have no scent, but it's clear of dyes and it's the #1 detergent recommended by dermatologists and allergists!!

But what about fabric softener?? Who wants clothes that are full of static cling?? I use distilled white vinegar!! Just use the same amount that you would normally use of regular liquid fabric softener and you'll get soft, static free clothes!! And don't worry, there is NO vinegar smell on your clothes when they come out of the dryer- only fresh, clean clothes!!!

So that's What-Works-For-Me!!!

(To learn more about why we adopted and why China, please click here for the link.)

16 comments:

Melissa Sheldon said...

What a great tip. I wish I would have thought about that when I had babies and was using Dreft.

Rebecca said...

What a clever idea! I wonder if the vinegar would smell clothes up for clothes that don't go in the dryer? I hang all the clothes on the line.

Your little girl is beautiful (I followed the link!) and so precious. I would love to know how it came about for you to adopt. And why China.

I have wanted to adopt a child from oversees but the cost is too great for us to afford. Perhaps the Lord will see fit in time... :-)

Kelly @ Growing.Learning.Playing. said...

I need to remember the vinegar part. I don't use fabric softener because it a)always seems to get on some of our clothing and ruin it and b) you aren't supposed to use it on children's pajamas. The vinegar does do nicely, if I remember. lol

Anonymous said...

Just a special invitation to all of those on my blogroll and their readers to come on over and play Kitchen Bingo.

Peggy

Anonymous said...

Sorry.....forgot the link

http://homemadesimplicity.wordpress.com/

Bethanie said...

I saw your picture of the large family size bottle of All and I had terrible flash back to yestarday's flood. As I was eating lunch I heard this big "bang". I got up to investigate and apparently right in the middle of the spin cycle things were getting to vibrational and my family size All had fallen off the dryer. The little nobby thing towards the back had broken off and detergent was leaking out everywhere. Do you know how difficult it is to clean up detergent? I sure didn't until yestarday. Please, everyone, learn from my mistake. Keep your detergent in a stable place.

theups said...

Hi Rebecca!!
I added some links to my post that will take you to past posts about our adoption. Feel free to email me at theups@bellsouth.net if you have any questions about adoption! :)

BETHANIE!!! I cannot imagine how long it must've taken to clean that stuff up!! It's thick and gets sudsy QUICK!! Bless your heart!! And thank you for the heads-up!!!

His,
Mrs. U

Anonymous said...

We used one bottle of Dreft for our Little man, and then switched to the All Free & Clear too. The only reason we don't still use it (he's sensitive to other detergents) is because I make my own laundry detergent now.

Even if you line dry, the vinegar smell will evaporate from the clothes. I barely notice it when I take clothes from the washer.

Anonymous said...

I had no idea vinegar could be used as fabric softener!! Thanks for the tip.

Anonymous said...

I use All Free and Clear. I love it. I first started using it beacause of allergies and my hubby would break out in hives using some other brands. Thank you so much for sharing about the vinegar. I needed a fabric softner.

Tina Kay

Lisa said...

We've been using vinegar as a fabric softner for well over a year now and it's helped with my son's eczema. It doesn't leave an odor, even with things dried on a line. We love vinegar! (I use it for cleaning just about everything,too!)

Anonymous said...

Great idea! I'm almost out of Dreft...I think I will try switching!!

Paula said...

Love the tip about the vinegar. I never would have figured that one out! Thanks for referring your adoption agency. Eric and I have considered adoption for almost 5 years now. You'd think we would have made a decision by now!!

Heather said...

Ok...I am officially de-lurking. Lol. I love vinegar for laundry. I started using it about six months ago and have cut my detergent costs in half (because I use only half the recommended amount of detergent now and substitue vinegar for the other half). My clothes have never been cleaner or smelled better. I never thought of using it for baby items, though, or using a regular fragrance and dye free soap instead of a special baby detergent. Thanks for the tip!

I do not actually have a baby yet, though. Like you, my husband and I are adopting from China - and we are very excited!

Anonymous said...

My boys broke out with ANY dye - we use ALL and it works great! We use bouce fabric softner in dryer with no problems.

Anonymous said...

I learned this tip withDistilled vinegar when I was pregnant with my first child 17 years ago. Not only does it leave your clothes static free, just a 1/4 cup in the rinse will rid your clothes of the phosphates that can irritate a baby's sentivie skin...no expensive baby clothes detergent for me!!!
Ruthie
rjemps@yahoo.com

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin