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Do you use fabric conditioner when washing clothes?

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  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Asarum said:
    I’m just wondering if increasing use of anti bacterials in our laundry will contribute to antibiotic resistance?  Are they really necessary or just another product to sell?  Anyone got any ideas?

    I would say that specifically using them in laundry has great utility if they allow us to use cool cycles effectively (20oC).

    My question, generally, esp in Covid times is - what happens to anti-bacterials when they get into the waterways; what kind of half life they have...
  • never
    Asarum said:
    I’m just wondering if increasing use of anti bacterials in our laundry will contribute to antibiotic resistance?  Are they really necessary or just another product to sell?  Anyone got any ideas?
    It is for that reason that I only use products containing antibacterials very occasionally. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    never
    I think they are totally unnecessary, they are playing on people's fears and making money out of them as well. it's the same as fridge or dishwasher cleaners, totally bonkers. 
    People have been washing clothes for years and years using just detergents without any ill effects. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Lizzie27 said:
    I think they are totally unnecessary, they are playing on people's fears and making money out of them as well. it's the same as fridge or dishwasher cleaners, totally bonkers. 
    People have been washing clothes for years and years using just detergents without any ill effects. 
    Gullible consumers?
    Devon.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I noticed that M@S have an environmentally friendly fabric conditioner now - does that mean that all the others they sell aren't?!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    never
    Spot on @Hostafan1!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    You are basically washing your clothes in poo. Ultimately it doesn't matter that much for most items, like clothes, but if you are washing face towels, dish towels etc in the machine it's not a good idea. This is esp the case if you have anyone with stomach bugs in the house or if you have small children or pets and are washing very pooey clothes a lot.

    No, it's not that new that people have been washing clothes in poo, but it's more of a concern now that recently people use their machines on lower and lower temps and will gentler eco products. If you don't do a regular cycle on the machine's hottest setting, or use bleach in the cycle, then the poo matter builds up.

    For some people it might be a similar question to swimming in a public pool. To enjoy it, you have to avoid thinking of what you are swimming in.

     - - -
    Similarly with dish sponges. It's a good idea to use a type that dries out thoroughly and quickly between uses. Bacteria build up fast in warm, damp places like on sponges. Yes, people have been using flannels to washing dishes, since there were flannels, but it's not a great idea.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    never
    Yes, I get that @Fire, but it only matters if people get ill via ill-washed clothes and we don't.
    We can't eliminate germs and we shouldn't be even trying to.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    never
    I’m washing at 20 with detergents containing no bleach so I’m chucking in whatever I think will keep the poo and germs off my towels. 💩
  • AsarumAsarum Posts: 661
    sometimes
    I soak my dishcloth in a bleach solution. Bleach kills microbes outright, none escape to become resistant.  I realise many people don’t like bleach and that you can’t wash your clothes in it, but it has its uses.
    East Anglia
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