RE: borax/fabric softener

April 15, 2002

In a message dated 4/15/02 5:15:05 PM Central Daylight Time,

EdensScents@... writes:

> Could these chemicals be speeding up the deterioration of the

> fabrics?

>

Huh, Donna, that is an interesting question. I think I will wash some towels

and test it out. Can't do it today though as I promised my honey I would

just rest today.

¸..·´¨¨)) -:¦:-

¸.·´ .·´¨¨))

((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:- Sage -:¦:-

-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

April 15, 2002

Hello baheath@...,

In reference to your comment:

è A good fabric softener will in no way damage clothing.

Bruce,

Thanks for the info. I know this is in no way related to cosmetics but, I

find it very interesting none the less.

Thanks again,

Donna

April 15, 2002

Baking soda will " soften " hard water, i.e. it will prevent dissolved

calcium and magnesium salts from causing soap scum (which is the

insoluble calcium salts of soap fatty acids). They will help make the

water more alkaline, which helps remove oils by making them into soaps,

but neither baking soda nor washing soda are " fabric softeners " .

A fabric softener is a chemical that temporarily chemically modifies the

surface of textile fibres to make them feel softer and more flexible.

Bob Foulkes

Re: borax/fabric softener

In a message dated 4/15/2002 2:03:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

Yaaruln@... writes:

> I am wondering if those of you with the chemistry,

> biology, health, and environmental degrees,

I am none of the above BUT...........baking soda has always worked for

me.

Its all I ever used on my sons diapers, if it was gentle enough for

their

hindparts well them who am I to say NO Besides working really really

well

and it kills odors, softens the water as well it is CHEAP.

Donna

April 15, 2002

Baking soda will " soften " hard water, i.e. it will prevent dissolved

calcium and magnesium salts from causing soap scum (which is the

insoluble calcium salts of soap fatty acids). They will help make the

water more alkaline, which helps remove oils by making them into soaps,

but neither baking soda nor washing soda are " fabric softeners " .

A fabric softener is a chemical that temporarily chemically modifies the

surface of textile fibres to make them feel softer and more flexible.

Bob Foulkes

Re: borax/fabric softener

In a message dated 4/15/2002 2:03:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

Yaaruln@... writes:

> I am wondering if those of you with the chemistry,

> biology, health, and environmental degrees,

I am none of the above BUT...........baking soda has always worked for

me.

Its all I ever used on my sons diapers, if it was gentle enough for

their

hindparts well them who am I to say NO Besides working really really

well

and it kills odors, softens the water as well it is CHEAP.

Donna

April 15, 2002

Just wondering do any of you all use Vinegar for softening your clothes and

clearing out your wash? I had heard it softened laundry years ago. Also a

Laundry repair man told me to just try a cup in my wash and see the residue

that comes out. I did and now I use it instead of fab. softener. My washer

is clean and my clothing is soft and without that residue.

Nope it does not smell like vinegar either.

Cate

April 15, 2002

In a message dated 4/15/02 4:53:40 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Yaaruln@...

writes:

> Huh, Donna, that is an interesting question. I think I will wash some

> towels

> and test it out. Can't do it today though as I promised my honey I would

> just rest today.

>

Sage,

So if a small town in Alaska catches fire tomorrow we can all hit our

foreheads and go " Sagey! " .

Seriously, adding vinegar to the rinse cycle shouldn't start a fire or burn

your clothes up. Try adding some cinnamon sticks and orange peels to the

vinegar and letting it steep for a few days.

Then strain and add that vinegar to your rinse cycle.

Clothes will smell great and your washer will appreciate it, too.

lynn in valencia

lavender bluffs bath and body

" A little touch of heaven in your bath "

April 15, 2002

In a message dated 4/16/02 12:12:17 AM Central Daylight Time,

lzcutter@... writes:

> So if a small town in Alaska catches fire tomorrow we can all hit our

> foreheads and go " Sagey! " .

>

Yup, Lynn. Just watch for me on the 6:00 news. :-))

¸..·´¨¨)) -:¦:-

¸.·´ .·´¨¨))

((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:- Sage -:¦:-

-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

April 15, 2002

Bob, I know that this was posted to someone else, but I have a

question... if I were to put baking soap in my soap would it have the

same water softening effect?

Thanks for any info! :-)

Bast

Lotus on the Nile Soapworks

Ankh, Udja, Seneb!

(Life, Prosperity, Health!)

On Tue, 16 Apr 2002 08:40:48 +1200 " Bob Foulkes " <bobfoulkes@...>

writes:

> Baking soda will " soften " hard water, i.e. it will prevent dissolved

> calcium and magnesium salts from causing soap scum (which is the

> insoluble calcium salts of soap fatty acids). They will help make

> the

> water more alkaline, which helps remove oils by making them into

> soaps,

> but neither baking soda nor washing soda are " fabric softeners " .

>

> A fabric softener is a chemical that temporarily chemically modifies

> the

> surface of textile fibres to make them feel softer and more

> flexible.

>

> Bob Foulkes

>

> Re: borax/fabric softener

>

> In a message dated 4/15/2002 2:03:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

> Yaaruln@... writes:

>

> > I am wondering if those of you with the chemistry,

> > biology, health, and environmental degrees,

>

> I am none of the above BUT...........baking soda has always worked

> for

> me.

> Its all I ever used on my sons diapers, if it was gentle enough for

> their

> hindparts well them who am I to say NO Besides working really

> really

> well

> and it kills odors, softens the water as well it is CHEAP.

>

> Donna

>

April 15, 2002

Dear Bob, I quite understand that natural things can be detrimental too

especially in high quantities and that all chemicals are not bad. My lack

of knowledge I am trying to make up for by using your and people you for

mentors -like you who have already used there excellent brains. I haven't

enough time to reinvent the wheel but I do appreciate your advice.

My question today is is Benzalkonium Chloride the same thing as

Lauryl-Dimethyl-Benzyl-Ammonium Chloride because I really am not interested

in killing bacteria just making fabric softener!!( boy does that sound

dumb!)

Thanks for your understanding Bob, yours

Re: borax/fabric softener

In a message dated 4/11/02 2:31:23 AM Central Daylight Time,

bobfoulkes@... writes:

> The other end of the quat molecule is a

> hydrocarbon (i.e. oil) that sticks out from the fibre surface like an

>

Bob,

It gives a whole new meaning to hairshirt. Thanks for the great

explanation.

Where can one purchase Quats? It is all the " extras " in commercial

fabric

softeners that I am interested in avoiding.

¸..·´¨¨)) -:¦:-

¸.·´ .·´¨¨))

((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:- Sage -:¦:-

-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

April 15, 2002

Well Hi Bruce what safe biodegradable fabric softener molecule can you build

me.

p.s I lived in Brisbane for three years (loved it!), I am a Brit who now

lives in the US and scraped a pass in chemistry. Thanks for all your help

and information ,

Re: borax/fabric softener

In a message dated 4/11/02 2:31:23 AM Central Daylight Time,

bobfoulkes@... writes:

> The other end of the quat molecule is a

> hydrocarbon (i.e. oil) that sticks out from the fibre surface like an

>

Bob,

It gives a whole new meaning to hairshirt. Thanks for the great

explanation. Where can one purchase Quats? It is all the " extras " in

commercial fabric softeners that I am interested in avoiding.

¸..·´¨¨)) -:¦:-

¸.·´ .·´¨¨))

((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:- Sage -:¦:-

-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

April 15, 2002

Nah!

Re: borax/fabric softener

If I use baking soda in the wash water and vinegar in the fabric softener

dispenser, am I likely to cause any reaction that will result in my clothes,

the washer, or the city burning down?

¸..·´¨¨)) -:¦:-

¸.·´ .·´¨¨))

((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:- Sage -:¦:-

-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

April 16, 2002

Pam,

Thanks for biting the bullet and just doing it. That is good news. I have

been steeping a gallon jug of vinegar with citrus peels as suggested here to

remove the vinegar smell. Today I will strain it and give it a try.

¸..·´¨¨)) -:¦:-

¸.·´ .·´¨¨))

((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:- Sage -:¦:-

-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

April 16, 2002

I use the white vinegar all the time now. Keeps the clothes soft and residue

free.

Also clears the machines from the gooey stuff, like the prior softeners.

Cate

April 17, 2002

In a message dated 4/16/02 5:51:22 PM Central Daylight Time,

leannah@... writes:

> Could you tell me how

> much of the citrus peels you are using per gallon of vinegar? Also, how

> much

> of this do you use in your wash? Thanks!

>

> Leanna.

>

Leanna,

I am brand new at this and no expert. I got a gallon jug of white cider

vinegar, opened it and poured in about 2 tablespoons of dried orange peels.

After letting it set about a week I started using it. I just fill the

automatic fabric dispenser with the vinegar, which I think is about 1/4 cup.

I am guessing most other washers will use more, but I have one of those front

loaders that wash and spin in both directions and seem to use much less of

all products. After a week of steeping, the vinegar still smelled like

vinegar, although not as strong. However, there was no vinegar smell at all

when I removed my clothes from the washer and I was pleased with how they

came out of the dryer. Good luck.

¸..·´¨¨)) -:¦:-

¸.·´ .·´¨¨))

((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:- Sage -:¦:-

-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

April 17, 2002