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I put 1/2 a cup to 1 cup baking soda depending on load size or odor of the laundry. It softens the water, gets rid of odors, boosts detergent. I add it as the machine is filling.

I also use a 1/2 cup white vinegar in the rinse cycle to get rid of static cling. It doesn't leave any vinegar smell on the clothes, brightens some colors and eliminates the need for those horrible stinky drier sheets.

Anyone in San Francisco know where I can buy Mrs. Stewart's Bluing? I stock up when in the south but now I'm out :(

A cup of vinegar in the washer not only softens clothes and removes static, but it also cuts through the soap residue that many "green" detergents leave. It removes odors too.

I don't use any softner chemicals...I like using Nellie Dryer Balls.

http://www.nellieslaundry.com/

The dryer balls though touted as green are actually made of PVC plastic - not great to heat up and have rolling around with things you put next to your skin. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/09/nellie_dryer_balls.php

Slim, I used to buy Mrs. Stewart's Bluing at a store in my old neighborhood, Le Beau Nob Hill on the corner of Leavenworth and Clay. Might be a bit out of your way, but you could call and see if they still have it.

Thanks, serac.

Not too far out of my way. A nice long dog walk should get me there and home.

Slim, I got Bluing at the best Longs there is: 51st and Broadway in Oakland

I use vinegar in a downy ball in the wash and baking soda to soften water as it fills. I line dry.

I wonder if I can use baking soda instead of liquid fabric softener with my Malber front loading washer/dryer combo job. Its very particular about what you are supposed to use - fab softener a must and powdered detergent. I already use eco-friendly fab softener and detergent, but I think this would cut costs a bit.

Personally, I prefer not to use fabric softener (although I am using a 'green' one at the moment) - extra chemicals plus I read somewhere on AT that it wears out your clothes faster.

Something is good to prevent your jeans completely turning to cardboard if you line dry though! I have used vinegar in the past once or twice but didn't know about using bicarb as well. Sounds like it'll be more eco-friendly and cheaper too. Yet another problem solved by baking soda and vinegar!

What about those of us stuck using the front loading machines at the laundromat? I can't add anything mid-cycle. Can baking soda be put into the detergent compartment with my detergent at the beginning of the cycle?

Just use a soap that rinses well! Stiff clothing is from the soap residue that remains in your clothing. I use a front loading washer and a detergent that rinses well...no need for fabric softener!

I learned about the benefits of baking soda and vinegar to help with stinky towels. The baking soda removes the odors and the vinegar makes them fluffy!

Now, does anyone know where I can get a larger sized box of baking soda? If I'm putting 1 cup in with the laundry, the little box they sell at the grocery store just seems... inadequate. Ideas?

I buy a big bag of baking soda at Costco. It's a resealable 12 lb bag. If you don't have access to Costco, what about a restaurant supplier? I used to live close to one that was open to the public.

What a great suggestion -- thank you! I use dryer sheets for our laundry, but am really pleased to learn of a green and less-expensive alternative. Learned the hard way that softener was a must-have for our flannel sheets (and yes, everything is rinsing out), but will now be trying the baking soda and vinegar.

Great new book coming out called BAKING SODA, BABY OIL, BANANA PEELS, AND BEYOND---all about using all natural stuff like this to replace the chemicals that have infiltrated our lives. The book is totally cool----even if it IS from Readers Digest. They're chocked full of this info--

I am from the far distant past and used "washing soda" for the same purpose you are talking about. I would think it is still in the stores. The mineral Boarax is also a good cleaner and there.

I use vinegar too. I put some essential oil in my bottle of vinegar when I am feeling like I want the fragrance aspect of a softener - but the vinegar smell won't stay in your wash.

Vinegar also reduces fluff attaching to your clothes, so its especially good in a dark wash.

It is great to put in a second rinse to your wash if you have forgotten and left the load a day or two in the machine and its no longer smelling so fresh. (Hmm, I'm sure someone out there is as silly as me)

Baking soda, borax or washing soda also work well or better than commercial softeners.

One problem with the commercial products, as well as using dubious chemicals, increasing the flammability of your clothes, and adding often heavy fragrances, is that they actually reduce the absorption abilities of the fabric, so that towels and sheets aren't as effective or nice to use. Those with very sensitive skin probably already know the effect they can have on your skin from clothes and sheets washed using them.

baking soda has been a known fabric softener for years!. you can use it for a plethora of things around the house as well. my dad is over 70 & has been using it since he was a kid in the south. just ask your grandparents what they used (over the age of 60 maybe, from the south or out west & if they grew up w/ limited income?.) more than likely it was something that did not have harsh chemicals in it. they just knew what to use & made due w/ out "fancy" commercial products.

I have a front loader and as far as I know can't add stuff mid-cycle. I have three slots for adding stuff - wash powder, pre-wash, and softener, the latter two of which I never use. Which slots should I use to add soda and vinegar (because we all know what will happen if I add them in the same one!)?

Also, they always say to dissolve wash powder first for best results. I don't do that cos front loaders tend to specify powder, and also the powder slot is a drawer without a back, if I pour in liquid it just pours out straight away. Does that matter? When does my machine dump the powder if not straight away? Probably when the water levels are higher I suppose.

I've used white vinegar as fabric softener in my front loader for years. I keep a bottle to which I've added a few drops of old fashioned "bluing" to add to whites. It works even in my hardest of well water. I still use Calgon liquid water softener in the wash load, but will now replace it with baking soda-thanks!

Vermont Country store carries bluing-see www.vermontcountrystore.com

I've been told that liquid fabric softener contains beef fat - which is what turned me off (thought I guess thats a teensie bit greener than harsh chemicals).