Except

 “I love doing laundry: except for putting it in the dryer, taking it out and folding it, and then putting it away.” (DumpADay.com)

Conrad J. Gaiser invented a product to make it is easier for his wife, Audrey, to do the laundry. The couple lived on the top floor of a four-story building with the laundry room on the ground floor. In order to add fabric softener to the laundry, Audrey had to run down the stairs to catch the final rinse cycle. Gaiser put his years of experience with soap and detergent science to work.

He wanted to change the process of adding fabric softener to the laundry. He decided to devise a product in which you would add the fabric softer to the drying process instead. The first prototype was a fabric softener applied to a piece of flannel from his wife’s sewing room. When the sheet was put in the dryer, heat and moisture warmed up the fabric and the softener was released onto the other clothes. He called this first prototype “Tumble Puffs.”

Gaiser applied for a patent for his new product on August 13, 1965. Procter & Gamble spent years perfecting the product, and fixing problems, which included the dryer sheets getting stuck in the lint vent, and uneven distribution of fabric softener. In 1975, Procter & Gamble released the Bounce dryer sheets. Today, the dryer sheet is one of many easier options for adding fabric softener to your laundry. There are also automatic dispensers and balls which release the fabric softener at the correct time.

Liquid fabric softener does a wonderful job of eliminating static cling, adding a nice smell to the laundry (as well as making it feel softer). Did you know liquid fabric softener has other uses outside of the laundry room? Plus, it is cheap alternative to some of the commercial options available. Here are some unique ways to use it:

BAKED ON OR BURNT FOOD: Trying to get the baked on or burnt food off of your pots and pans can be tough. It can also possibly ruin your pans. Fill your pan with warm water and add a few drops of fabric softener. Let it sit for 60 minutes or so, and the burnt or baked on food should wipe right off. If it doesn’t come all the way off, repeat the process one more time.

BUG REPELLENT: If you have a spot in your house where bugs seem to gather, liquid fabric softener is your answer. Fill a spray bottle with water and add a few drops of fabric softener. Spray in the areas that they are in. Bugs hate strong smells so they should stay away.

CLEANS HARD SURFACES: Any hard surface in the house tends to collect dust. Mix ¼ cup of fabric softener in a spray bottle of water, and simply spray on a cloth and wipe on the desired surfaces. Wipe it away with a clean dry cloth, and it will minimize the amount of dust that settles.

DO-IT-YOURSELF (DIY) DRYER SHEETS: Instead of purchasing dryer sheets, you can make them inexpensively on your own. All you need is a couple cups of water, your favorite liquid fabric softener, and basic kitchen sponges. You will also need an airtight container to store them in.

Place the sponges in the container; pour your mixture over the top. When it comes time to put it in the dryer, grab 1 sponge, squeeze out the extra liquid and toss it in the dryer. Run the drying cycle like normal. Once completed, put the sponge back in the container for another time. If your liquid starts to get low, just mix up more, and pour it over your sponges.

HAIRSPRAY RESIDUE: Mix one part fabric softener to one part water. Spray where the residue is, and wipe with a dry cloth.

HARD WATER STAINS: Hard water stains on glass can be difficult to remove. Apply full strength fabric softener on the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes, and the stain should wipe right off.

HOMEMADE ROOM FRESHENER: In a spray bottle mix one part fabric softener, 2 tablespoons baking soda and 2 parts water. Spray around the house to help eliminate daily odors.

MINIMIZE STATIC ELECTRICITY: If everyone in your house seems to constantly be getting shocked after walking on the carpet, liquid fabric softener is your answer. All it takes is 2 quarts of water and 1 cap full of your favorite softener. Pour mixture into a spray bottle. Carefully mist your carpet before bed and allow to dry overnight. This should help for a few weeks.

PAINT BRUSHES: Paint brushes can be difficult to clean. There is a simple solution. Take an old coffee can, fill it with water, and put one teaspoon of fabric softener in. Mix well and dip your paint brushes in it.

REMOVE PET HAIR: Pet hair seems to stay in the carpet no matter how many times you vacuum. Mix two parts water to one part softener in a spray bottle. Lightly spray this mixture on your carpet before you vacuum. You should notice more pet hair being picked up with this method.

REMOVE WALLPAPER: Start by scoring the wallpaper with a wire bristle brush. Next, mix one cap full of fabric softener into a quart of water. After it is mixed together, take a sponge to wipe it onto the wallpaper. You should then let sit for 20 minutes. After this you should be able to scrape the wallpaper off. If it is difficult, sponge more of your water mixture on it, and let sit again.

Grant me the serenity to accept
the stains I cannot get out;
the courage to bleach the ones I can;
and the wisdom to remove that one
red sock from the load of whites. (Laundry Prayer)[i]

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[i] Adapted from:

·       “11 Uses for Liquid Fabric Softener outside the Laundry Room” by Crafty Morning

·       “Tumble Puffs?” by PatentPlaques.com

Conrad J. Gaiser