quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

quote:

Originally posted by recoatlift:
Use vinegar

Respectfully, now that the problem has been solved, I'd like to ask: what's the effect on "performance fabrics" like moisture-wicking t-shirts and such when using vinegar?

I know we're not supposed to use fabric softeners or dryer sheets with those fabrics because the chemicals effectively "seal off" the wicking capabilities. Fabric softeners do, however, sometimes help eliminate/reduce static cling. Does vinegar improve or worsen the static issue at all?

Oh, and what kind of vinegar? White vinegar, I presume?

White vinegar. Helps reduce static cling, though not as well as dryer sheets. As a bonus, it eliminates odor build up in performance fabrics. My Under Armor shirts begin to hold odors in after a while and the vinegar eliminates the problem.

I used to use 20 mule team Borax for sweaty clothes that tended to retain smells. Worked perfectly and was cheap. Harder to find now, I will try this vinegar thing. I have a newish top loader. Do I just put vinegar in the bin that takes liquid bleach/softener? How much? Gracias.

quote:

I used to use 20 mule team Borax for sweaty clothes that tended to retain smells. Worked perfectly and was cheap. Harder to find now, I will try this vinegar thing. I have a newish top loader. Do I just put vinegar in the bin that takes liquid bleach/softener? How much? Gracias.

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Yep.

We have a Sears 800 series top loader, I use a 1/2 cup of baking soda in with the detergent & add 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the softener dispenser. I suppose you could bump up to a full cup of vinegar...I’ve used that measurement when I had really funky, sour smelling clothes. Never smelled the vinegar on clothes after the rinse cycle.

Happy laundering to ya!

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

I used to use 20 mule team Borax for sweaty clothes that tended to retain smells. Worked perfectly and was cheap. Harder to find now, I will try this vinegar thing. I have a newish top loader. Do I just put vinegar in the bin that takes liquid bleach/softener? How much? Gracias.

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Yep.

Since vinegar is acetic acid and you pour it undiluted into your washer how is it holding up? I would think that would greatly increase corrosion

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

I used to use 20 mule team Borax for sweaty clothes that tended to retain smells. Worked perfectly and was cheap. Harder to find now, I will try this vinegar thing. I have a newish top loader. Do I just put vinegar in the bin that takes liquid bleach/softener? How much? Gracias.

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Yep.

Since vinegar is acetic acid and you pour it undiluted into your washer how is it holding up? I would think that would greatly increase corrosion

Vinegar is only 5% acetic acid and you're only putting in 1/4 to 1/2 cup into the many gallons of water in the rinse cycle.

I started using it in my '00 washing machine in '11 or '12 and zero problems when I sold it with the house in '14.

I've had this house and washing machine for nearly 3 years and zero problems.

Vinegar is great for keeping your towels fresh and fluffy as well.

Vinegar will also get the musty smell out of clothes that get left in the washer too long, just run a a rinse cycle with vinegar in it.

quote:

Originally posted by benny6:

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

Today she asked me if I'd be willing to switch to non-scented detergent and fabric softener and I said no, my wife will not do that.

What would it hurt to try that for, say, a week? If she continues to complain, or starts complaining about something else, you can say you did all you could.

My wife is Brazilian and won't do it simply out of principle. Brazilian women are clean freaks. Her clothes, house, food, child, dog, and man have to smell good.

how about just not smelling?

When I'm elected dictator wearing perfume and cologne and strong smelling detergents and fabric softeners in public will be outlawed. I find them very offensive and borderline sociopathic. But that's just me.

Ivory soap is ok. Toothpaste. Standard deodorant. If it has "swagger" or "axe" or "body spray" in the name... instant execution.

Politely suggest she seek some mental health counselling.

Politely suggest she seek some mental health counselling[/quote]
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WRONG ANSWER!!!!! The problem is settled, why create further issues? I hope you are joking.

I officially made the move this morning. A coworker on the very edge of the aisle where there's lots of traffic saw me moving.

He perked up and asked "Are you moving out of that cube?!"

"Yep!"

"Man, I wonder what strings I'd have to pull to move into that one? I hate being on the outside of the aisle with all the traffic."

I lean over.... "Well if you really want that cube I moved out of, let me tell you something...."

I proceeded to tell him the story and his face fell. "Dude! I remember her asking me about my fabric softener! It was a weird conversation. It creeped me out. Man, that sucks! I guess I'll stick with my aisle cube. Hey, thanks for the heads up. I don't need anyone complaining about my fabric softener."

"Yeah, sorry bro. I moved waaaaaayyyyyyyy over there...."

He was really envious because there was plenty of privacy where I moved. WINNING!

I sent the lady an email today notifying her that she can now work normal business hours and that I vacated my cube. I expected some sort of apologetic email or her feeling bad or something. I got the complete opposite.

She replied with this really giddy sincere thank you letter saying if I needed any technical writing done or violin lessons, that she'd help me out.

Oh well, why have enemies when you can have friends?

Tony.

quote:

Oh well, why have enemies when you can have friends?

Congratulations on your problem solving skills, and turning a negative into a positive. Smart managers notice this stuff.

Really well handled, Benny. If you ever get asked about "a difficult co-worker and how you handled it" in an interview, that's the story you want to tell, for sure.

Bosses love that stuff.

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Politely suggest she seek some mental health counselling

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WRONG ANSWER!!!!! The problem is settled, why create further issues? I hope you are joking.[/QUOTE]

No need to yell and you are not the OP. Lighten up.