GOING GREEN: Fabric softener alternatives

First, let me say that I like fabric softener. I know it's not environmentally friendly and maybe one day, I'll take the plunge. Right now, I enjoy my lavender scented Gain. Personally, we use vinegar in my son's laundry, due to his severe eczema, since he's sensitive to harsh chemicals and scents.

1-vinegar. That's right. Plain white distilled vinegar. Add 1 cup to the cycle and wash through. How can you get cheaper and simpler? You can't. (NOTE: If you use bleach, DO NOT mix vinegar with it!)

2-Stick to natural fabrics, like cotton. Synthetics are prone to static.

3-Dry your laundry on a clothes line or indoor clothes dryer.

4-Dryer balls. They're loud, but reusable. (Google, or shop at www.gaiam.com to find some) Some also swear by a plain old tennis ball.

A few other little tips: Using less detergent (I use half of what's recommended) also helps with static, not to mention making your detergent stretch to double it's normal life. Drying clothes outside can make whites the whitest they've been since purchase. I have used cloth diapers and I am proud to say that not one of them has a single stain. They were always sunned and are bright white. On that same thought though, the sun is a natural bleacher. This means your dark clothes can fade. The simple solution for this is turning them inside out to dry them outside.