do you use fabric softner with your baby's clothes?

[caedmyn]

I use Bio-o-kleen to wash DD's clothes and have never used fabric softner, but I've got some weird dry rough spots on my legs and butt that I think could be related to the detergent (Purex) I've been using to wash DH's and my clothes...the spots showed up a few months before DD was born, and now that I think about it, might have been around the time I switched washing our clothes from Bi-o-kleen to Purex because of stain issues. So I'm thinking about washing my clothes in with DD's but I want fabric softner in with mine (I'd use 7th generation liquid fabric softner). Do you think that would be okay for DD? I don't know if she has sensitive skin, she does get diaper rash super easily with cloth diapers although it clears up without much trouble.

[Taedareth]

I would think 7th Generation would be okay........ anyone else know about this?

[Marsupialmom]

I don't know about 7th generation but other fabric softeners causes clothes to be more flamable.

How about vinegar instead?
2 cups cold water
1 cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar)

Place baking soda in LARGE bowl and pour vinegar over it; while it's bubbling, pour cold water in and mix.
Store in sealed container and shake before using to combine all ingredients.
Add 1/4 cup of mixture during the last rinse cycle (You can put this in a downy ball and put it in at the beginning).

[mlec]

Thanks for posting the fabric softener recipe!

If you use the drier, there are these two spiky plastic balls you can use to soften your clothes. No chemicals. My sis gave me some, but I haven't tried them yet.

[judybean]

if you think the spots could be detergent-related, then simply adding vinegar to the rinse cycle (via downy ball or a designated spot on your machine if you have one... or of course just in the rinse cycle!) should help. vinegar will help to remove any residual detergent that remains after washing. i use it on all our laundry (helps keep everything soft, plus helps with diaper odors!)

[allnaturalmama]

Lotsa good ideas here, just wanted to add my $0.02 We use Bi-O-Kleen detergent for all of our family's laundry, and this fabric softener which I am very happy with. I'm sure 7th Gen's is good, too, but I really like the essential oils in this one.

[aisraeltax]

i dont use any....my life is complicated enough with laundry as it is.

[DesireeH]

I dont use any either. It puts a build up on diapers (well, it did my DS......we havent used fabric softener in 3 years LOL). My son gets rashes from anything like that anyways. I dont know about Daph, so far so good for her.