White Vinegar (a natural fabric softener alternative)

Fabric conditioners not only reduce absorbency (especially for reusable nappies and washable menstrual pads (both of which should be laundered with a microfibre filter to stop microplastics escaping machines). But also can even make clothing more flammable in tumble driers (most brands are also made with palm oil).

Instead, to soften clothes just add half a cup of unscented cleaning vinegar to the dispenser or final rinse cycle. The smell dissipates, so your clothes won’t smell like a bag of chips!

You can bin empty chemical laundry containers (don’t rinse). For half-full items, take them to toxic waste at your local refuse centre.

Read our laundry posts to choose a good biodegradable laundry detergent (unscented for pregnancy/nursing, babies and pet bedding). 

Keeping Safe with Tumble Driers

Tumble dryers cost a fortune to run. But if you like them (or have no other way of drying clothes):

• Register appliances, to be notified of recalls.
• Never leave tumble dryers unattended. 
• Remove and bin lint after each cycle (don’t leave in gardens, it could choke birds).
• Don’t overload sockets, and be aware of scorch/burn marks and visible wires. Ensure dryers are well-ventilated, and use the ‘cool down’ cycle, before removing clothes.
• If buying new dryers, shops by law must recycle the old ones.