We have all been programmed to believe that besides washing and drying our clothes, we must also “soften” them too, hence the appearance of fabric softeners.
It has become a part of our washing ritual to add a capful of chemical fabric softener to each and every wash load.
The truth is fabric softeners are completely unnecessary and the poisonous chemicals they contain could be harming you and your families health and wellbeing. Especially newborns and young children, who we believe should be wrapped up tight in soft fluffy towels and blankets.
Conventional Fabric softeners are highly toxic and have been linked to various forms of cancer, brain damage and respiratory distress?
This needless commodity includes a combination of harmful ingredients such as: benzyl acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer), benzyl alcohol (an upper respiratory tract irritant), ethanol (linked to central nervous system disorders), limonene (a known carcinogen) and chloroform (a neurotoxin and carcinogen), among others.
Besides the detrimental effects to our health, a secondary negative to using a liquid fabric softener is that the toxins leach into our oceans and waterways, poisoning wildlife and our fragile planet.
If you are now thinking that dryer sheets are a good alternative, well think again! Once the sheets are heated in the dryer they release fumes and chemicals into the air which are breathed into our bodies through our lungs, and in turn may cause breathing difficulties.
So what is the solution ?? The solution is simple “ You don’t need fabric softener”.
Switch to a 100% natural softener, add a quarter cup of baking soda or vinegar to your wash cycle, or make the home-made recipe below and you will never have to pour a capful of toxins into your washing machine again!
HOME-MADE FABRIC SOFTENER
2 cups of Epsom salt or course sea salt
20-30 drops of your favourite essential oil or blend of oils (Lemon & Lavender work well)
1/2 cup baking soda
METHOD
Mix together Epsom salt or course sea salt with your chosen essential oil, before stirring in the baking soda.
Combine well and place in an airtight container. Add 3 to 4 heaped tablespoons to each load and enjoy naturally fragrant, soft washing with no nasties. Recipe can be made in bulk and extra essential oils added for a stronger aroma.