Apron Strings - The "how's, why's, and what's" - most frequently asked questions.

How do you get your towels so soft and your sheets so crisp? Why do they smell so good? What kind of detergent do you use?
Guests here often ask these questions. The solution is pretty simple. Remember, it's usually best to keep things simple. As for softness, most people use too much detergent. Different washers have different needs just like any other appliance. Use only enough soap to make the water slick in your fingers, and this amount will still allow it to do it's cleaning job. Cut back on the amount you use then check the water after the agitation has started. If you decrease the amount again for the next load you wash and the water no longer feels slick, then you need to add a little more. Also, it's nice to use the biodegradable detergents from sources such as Amway or Melaleuca. They are both super stores that you buy a membership too and have wonderful products. We should do our part in trying to improve and protect our environment. I like to promote companies that do so as well.
The fresh smell of my sheets and towels is from air drying them outside on my wooden post clothes line. I built it myself and you can too. I remember years ago shortly after moving to a house just outside the city limits. My neighbor and new friend suggested that I not hang clothes out to dry. "It just wasn't in good taste. Only trashy people hang out laundry." Where I grew up we only had one class of people I guess. We all hung out laundry, rich and poor alike. Hanging out beautiful white sheets and hand embroidered pillow cases just brightens my day. I am rewarded with a contentment like no other when I slide between the crisp white cotton after a long day of hard work. I would be sad without my clothes line.
I only half dry my towels outside to save energy and get that nice scent. I finish the drying in the clothes dryer to get softness. It is really better for our health to dry with a scratchy towel but this topic would be better, discussed at a later date.
Happy Laundry Day! I hope you all get to have a clothes line experience!