How to use fabric softener correctly and what it is used for
The laundry of the modern housewife is different from the antediluvian technologies of the past. It is much easier to wash your laundry and make it smell nice through various means. If before no one knew what a fabric softener was, what it was used for, now everyone uses it. The properties of the product are widely used not only for washing, but also in other household chores.
Properties and functions
It is impossible to exclude fabric softener from the detergents necessary for washing. It has many useful properties.Knowing the functions of a chemical preparation, you can use it to ensure that the washed laundry is not only clean, but also retains its bright color and acquires a pleasant aroma. In addition, air conditioners extend the life of clothes. Delicate fabrics don't wear out as quickly if washed with rinse aid. By creating a film on the surface of textile fibres, the agent protects against the destructive effect of washing powders.
Anti-dirt effect
The main components of air conditioners are cationic surfactants, among which silicone is distinguished. The substance helps to modify the structure of the fabric, which allows the fibers to acquire the property of repelling dirt and water.
Drops of oil, dirt under the action of water with undissolved particles of the conditioner roll on the surface of the fabric, without penetrating into the fibers.
Mitigation
After using fabric softener for washing, fabrics become fluffy, their fibers do not stick together. This is due to the effect of surfactant cations on tissue molecules. The remaining unbound cation tails help not cling to tissue fibers, stay light and airy.
Color retention
Usually, after washing, the color of clothes changes. White things turn gray and yellow and colors lose their luster. The substances contained in the rinse aid, preventing the fibers from sticking together, form nodules which help to stop the diffusion of light.
Ease of ironing
The surfactants contained in the rinsing product have the property of protecting the fabrics from water absorption. Thus, drying and ironing of air-conditioned fabrics is quick and efficient. The iron glides easily over clothes without leaving creases.At the same time, less effort is put in, and after performing several times with a hot device, they get a perfectly ironed thing.
If you use irons with a steam effect, you can do without a conditioner, since there will be no difference in ironing.
Antistatic effect
Synthetic fabrics or blended fabrics cling to the body when worn. You must use an antistatic agent to remove the adhesion. But with an air conditioner, it is not necessary to use an aerosol. Surfactant molecules leave an invisible film on clothing that conducts electricity. Therefore, the electric charge will flow along the surface of the film without remaining on the fabric.
Flavoring
Fragrances to impart a pleasant smell to laundry during washing are found in all products, including powder. Therefore, this function of the air conditioner is not considered the main one. Housewives often prefer rinses that are odorless at all. Indeed, flavored products often cause allergies.
What things should not be used for
When washing clothes, pay attention to the labels on them. After all, not all fabric types can be rinsed out with conditioner. For some fibers, the product can cause significant damage, ruining your favorite object.
Silk
Natural types of silk are used for beautiful festive dresses and blouses. It is best to wash them by hand, or by setting the delicate mode of the automatic machine. Air conditioning can ruin an expensive item. After the action of surfactants, stains remain on the silk fabric, which are difficult to get rid of afterwards.
Stylish shapewear underwear
Elastane, present in corrective underwear, tights, does not tolerate the action of a chemical agent. Cationic surfactants act on laundry containing elastin in such a way that they lose their stretchability. After using the rinse aid, it will not be possible to correct the flaws of the figure with flax. It breaks down quickly, losing strength.
Water repellent impregnation
Terry towels cannot be air-conditioned. They begin to smell damp, as they do not absorb moisture. Sportswear is impregnated with special compounds that help dry fabrics quickly after training. Once the rinse is applied, the properties of the garment are lost.
What harm can it do
Any chemical agent has both advantages and disadvantages. This does not apply to all air conditioners, but only to those that are stuffed with harmful compounds that are dangerous to the human body.
Linalool
Many rinses, which give the laundry the smell of lily of the valley, jasmine, sage, are sins with the content of linao. If you constantly use such a concentrate, you may get cancer. Contact with the substance leads to the formation of cancerous tumors in women. Most often it is cancer of the breast, uterus. For allergy sufferers, flavored products are also dangerous.
Terpineol
Terpineol compounds as components of the conditioner give laundry smells of rose, jasmine, hyacinth. In humans, drugs containing isomeric monoterpene alcohols cause drowsiness and fatigue. When terpineol vapors are inhaled, mucous membranes are irritated and breathing difficulties develop. At high concentrations, pathologies of the central nervous system occur. In the elderly, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, progresses more rapidly.
Benzyl alcohol
When this substance enters the respiratory system, it irritates the airways. The person begins to experience dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and a drop in blood pressure.
Chloroform
If manufacturers include chloroform in the product, then its vapors are dangerous for humans. When heated, the agent releases substances from which you can:
- lose consciousness;
- falling into a state of drowsiness;
- feeling weak and dizzy.
In people with kidney, liver or heart failure, the symptoms of the diseases will intensify.
Ethanol
Ethanol is used to soften the fibers of laundry during washing. The substance is classified as an eicosapentaenoic fatty acid, or EPA, hazardous waste. It causes damage to the central nervous system, its disorders with frequent contact with ethanol and its ingestion.
How to use correctly
As with any chemical agent, conditioner must be used correctly. There are instructions for this. It is carefully read and followed, washing things both in an automatic machine and by hand. It is important not to overdo it with the remedy. But even a small amount will not give the desired effect.
Automatic wash
Rinse aid is poured or poured into the washing machine before starting the operation. The dispenser has a special compartment for funds, marked with a specific icon and having a narrow opening. You can also use a special dispenser for the conditioner. It is placed in the drum compartment before washing or rinsing. It is necessary to use the product according to the instructions, protecting the respiratory system from chemical vapors.
Hand washing
The required amount of product is poured into water and dissolves in a circular motion. The washed linen is immersed in the solution, leaving it to act for a few minutes. Then you need to rinse things well, changing the water.
Do not forget personal protective equipment when using the product.
Additional uses
The concentrated rinse aid can be used in other rooms of the house. After all, the components of the conditioner easily wipe off dirt, greasy stains and dissolve them.
Window washing
A solution is prepared to remove stubborn dirt from glasses and mirrors. Take 1 part rinse aid and 2 parts water. Apply the solution to a clean cloth and rinse the windows. After washing, they will shine and there will be no streaks on the surface.
Leather goods cleaning
Genuine leather products are often contaminated, and if they are not worn for a long time, they become covered with dust. It is necessary to apply a mixture of water and conditioner from a spray bottle to leather goods. Then wipe with a soft cloth or towel.
Washing the laminate
Laminate floors should be cleaned constantly, as dust accumulates in large quantities on them. By treating with an anti-static agent, you can free yourself from the difficulty of daily wiping the laminate. A soil treatment solution is prepared by taking 1 part conditioner to 3 parts water.
Tile cleaning
Scale deposits on the walls of the bathroom, drops of grease on the tiles in the kitchen are difficult to clean with soapy water. And here the rinse aid comes to the rescue.Apply concentrate to dirty tiles, leaving on for 15-20 minutes. After that, the surfaces wash off easily and they will shine clean.
Clean a wool rug
Daily House cleaningareas where pets live are complicated by the fact that it is impossible to completely remove hair from carpets. A vacuum cleaner does not always achieve this. The method of using fabric softener in this case will keep carpets clean and soft. Simply apply conditioner from a spray bottle, leave on for 10-15 minutes. Now the vacuum cleaner will pick up all the wool from the carpet. A regular brush will also remove them.
Remove old wallpaper
Before the renovation, the longest process is to clean the walls of old wallpaper. It is advisable to speed up the procedure with a solution of warm water and conditioner. Apply it on the wallpaper and after 10 minutes remove the scratches without any problem. But thick wallpaper will first need to be cleaned with an iron brush. The remaining parts are impregnated with the solution, and the remnants of wallpaper are removed.
Varieties and their characteristics
The effect of conditioners depends on the type of product, the amount of surfactants and other components it contains. In this case, the safest means should be chosen.
Focus
Concentrated liquids should contain active substances in the range of 5-15%. If there are more, it will negatively affect human health. After all, the substances are not washed off, but form a film on linen, clothes. These products are irritating if they come into contact with the skin. The advantage of concentrates is their cost effectiveness. The minimum amount of fabric softener will be used for 1 wash.
Child
For the delicate and sensitive skin of a child, special products are needed, where chemicals are minimized. Rinse aid for baby clothes should have a base of:
- 5% surfactants;
- harmless compounds other than compounds of the chloroform type, isomeric alcohols;
- certified products.
Air conditioners for children are expensive because they contain more natural substances.
Balm
One type of rinse aid is hypoallergenic, delicate in consistency. After using this conditioner in the wash, things will be soft with no clumps. In the manufacture of balms, oils, proteins and safe surfactants are used.
Eco
This conditioner contains only natural ingredients. The rinse aid is based on water and natural active substances. In the manufacture of the drug, chemical compounds such as isomeric alcohols, chlorine and petroleum products are not used. The aroma is given to the product by vegetable essential oils, and not by perfumes.
Dry
Such tools are easy to use. The balls soaked in the appropriate substances are thrown into the drum of an automatic machine. They are generally used when rinsing or drying. It will be inconvenient only to interrupt the washing process.
If you put a ball or a towel at a time, there will be no results from such a conditioner.
Aromatic
Strong-smelling products are only needed to perfume laundry. The disadvantage of this type of rinsing is the absence of other properties, such as softening the fibers of the fabric, an antistatic effect.
How to cook with your own hands
To protect your home and body from the effects of toxic substances in the rinses, you can replace them.To do this, use what is available in each house.
The vinegar
Table vinegar has a softening effect. Before, it was constantly added to the rinse water after washing clothes by hand. You can add 1 tablespoon of acetic acid to the drum of the machine.
A soda
Baking soda is most often used after a hand wash. The powder is diluted in water. Take 1-2 tablespoons of soda per liter of water. It softens water and whitens laundry.
Salt
Salt concentrate is prepared by taking 3 tablespoons in a glass of water. Poured into water before rinsing laundry. If they are machine washable, pour liquid into the air conditioner compartment.
hair balm
It is necessary to prepare the product by adding 150 ml of balm and a glass of vinegar to 0.5 liters of water. Pour the solution into the dispenser of the machine before washing. You can also prepare a concentrate of hair balm (3 tablespoons) and table or sea salt (tablespoon).
Blend
The tool is prepared at home, using as needed. A spoonful of soda is diluted in 2 cups of boiling water, then the same amount of 9% vinegar is added. For aroma, drip some essential oil as desired.
Wash with tennis balls
Every housewife should know how to replace the air conditioner so that things do not roll after washing. We have to put tennis balls in the drum.
During washing, things will receive light knocks, and the fibers will not stick to each other, but fluffy. And you don't have to worry about choosing a safe air conditioner.
Tips and tricks for selection and use
Not a single housewife can now do without an air conditioner. But when choosing a product, you should pay attention to:
- the composition of the rinse aid;
- lack of aromatic fragrances;
- standard quality;
- hypoallergenic.
If the air conditioner is very cheap, it is most likely full of dangerous chemical compounds and it is dangerous to flush it. You need to carefully examine the product label and then purchase it. For washing children's clothes, the marking should be + 0. Together with the air conditioner, many additional services are purchased: from water softening, to preserving the shape and color of clothes, to easier ironing.
You must choose your own means for each type of fabric. With a hydrophilic and water-absorbing effect, they are suitable for washing bathrobes and terry towels. And with water-repellent fabrics prone to abrasion, the formation of granules. It is necessary to correctly use industrial air conditioners and of our own production. A large amount of rinse aid will ruin the item, and less than the standard amount will have no effect. Gel is better used than dry products. It does not irritate the respiratory system.