CRUNCHY TOWELS AND CLOTHES - HELP!!!

[hippipotami]

I have been doing the laundry using soapnuts (and nothing else) for a few months now. I hang everything on an indoor airer to dry.
Everything is cardboard stiff.

So, do I give in and use conditioner, or is there an environmentally friendly solution / softener that REALLY works?

Thanks!

[dionnelorraine]

I had the same problem for years! I use an indoor airer too. But a few days ago i found out a way for towels. tumble dry!! It isnt energy efficiant etc so isnt the most ideal way but the towels do come out lovely and soft! So do clothes but they do shrink after a while.
Not great but the best I have come up with so far!

[Smurfs]

probably a silly question but what are soapnuts? Waitrose fabric conditioner and a low setting on the tumble dryer work wonders on the childrens clothes in the smurfs household!

[JackieNo]

Do you not have the option to dry outside, Hippi? I find that, especially if it's windy, and stuff's being blown around, it ends up softer feeling than when I dry it inside.

[Madwelshwoman]

I love soapnuts, well the idea of them anyway but with my boy's nappies and everything I just found that they didn't work too well so had to give them up. Use Tesco Naturally stuff now their environmentally friendly range as it's quite nice I have to say.

Carrie

[portonovo]

I'm a bit puzzled over the 'crunchiness' to be honest, because I have used soapnuts for over 2 years now and my stuff all comes out really soft.

I either hang clothes outside or on an indoor airer. I have to say, hanging outside gives a much softer result.

If you really do need a softener, white vinegar works well, you can pop in some essential oils if you really need a scent.

[hippipotami]

I think stuff is crunchy because I live in a very hard water area (so I have been told.... )

Will try to hang things out where possible (once dh puts the line up!)

I don't have a tumble drier, so unfortunately that is not an option.

Have heard vinegar mentioned before - it is supposed to counteract the effects of the hard water. Does it really work??

[hippipotami]

I must admit - soapnuts are not really getting dd's stained clothes clean, and have gone from washing everything at 30deg back to 40deg.
It is not easy being green is it??

[DoorstoManual]

I love crunchy towels.

[lazycat]

What are soapnuts?

Think I used to use Ecover fabric conditioner, which was great. Don't use it anymore because dh complains that Ecover stuff doesn't clean properly...

One thing worse than crunchy towels - crunchy socks.

[Pannacotta]

Also heard about using vinegar, not sure if it works but def worth a try and v green....