Elk County Forum

General Category => The Coffee Shop => Topic started by: Wilma on November 27, 2007, 08:14:19 AM

Title: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Wilma on November 27, 2007, 08:14:19 AM
Why are bath towels not as fluffy as they used to be?  I have towels that are at least 15 years old and they come out of the dryer softer than the towels that I bought 6 months ago.  I have towels that belonged to my mother that have to be at least 20 years old and they are fluffier than any of the others.  Why is this?
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Judy Harder on November 27, 2007, 11:36:40 AM
Same reason that appliances don't last as long..........things are made cheaper (better) and
they skimp to save money.......then you must buy new ones.
Nasty circle.........at least that is what I think.
Maybe someone else has a  better answer..........????
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Tobina+1 on November 27, 2007, 05:03:00 PM
Hmm.  I think it's so that you have an excuse to change your bathroom colors and styles every few years.  Same reason why bed linens and comforters don't last long, either.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Rudy Taylor on November 28, 2007, 05:27:28 AM
My wife gives me grief over this but I "like" bath towels that are not fluffy.  I prefer the thinner ones (shut up, everyone).

So, it's another reason never to marry me.  Besides, Kathy won't release me.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Dale Smith on November 28, 2007, 06:01:11 AM
hate to admit it, but I agree with Rudy on this one. 
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Teresa on November 28, 2007, 09:17:32 AM
Quote from: dsmit11 on November 28, 2007, 06:01:11 AM
hate to admit it, but I agree with Rudy on this one. 

You agree that you don't want to marry Rudy? Or that you know that Kathy won't release him? (Personally I am for "catch and release".. hahahahaha   :D)

Or do you agree that you like thin scratchy towels... ;D
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Wilma on November 28, 2007, 09:33:13 AM
I agree with Rudy that I like the thinner towels, but I also like them to be soft.  I don't like the big bulky ones. 
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Dale Smith on November 28, 2007, 09:59:25 AM
well obviously I agree that I don't want to marry Rudy... and since I don't know his wife, I have no idea if she would release him or not.  but, I do prefer the thin towels... not necessarily scratchy.  Downy fabric softner in the washer does work wonders.  ;-)
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: sixdogsmom on November 28, 2007, 10:07:22 AM
I think the answer lies in the fact that the cotton threads are pulled tighter than they used to be to save on cotton. Have you ever felt a hand woven cotton garment? It is incredibly soft to the touch. The threads lose their loft when pulled too tight. Its' all about the money folks; quality doesn't count anymore. If the item is new and looks good enough to sell, that is what counts now.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Jo McDonald on November 28, 2007, 10:11:08 AM
I like towels that have been dried outside on the clothesline.  I like the brisk rub down that they give. 
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Wilma on November 28, 2007, 11:00:20 AM
I think sixdogsmom might be right.  The pile on the newer towels is not as deep as on the old towels.  And dismit11, no softener seems to soften these towels.  Using vinegar in place of softener softens the towels just as good.  Also bleaches them slightly and I prefer white towels.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Dale Smith on November 28, 2007, 12:19:38 PM
Wow.. thanks Wilma.  I will take your advice and give that a try.  :-)
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Ole Granny on November 28, 2007, 02:51:45 PM
Smaller and thinner towels take up less space in the washer and dry quicker in the dryer.  Energy efficient.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Teresa on November 28, 2007, 03:26:49 PM
I don't like softener in my towels.. because they don't absorb as well.
But I do like the big and thirsty ones. :)
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Jody on November 29, 2007, 12:25:07 PM
I have four of those blue balls in my dryer.  It is supposed to help  softness, but I have them to help rem ove cat hair.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Wilma on December 02, 2007, 10:15:45 AM
TELL ME SOMETHING ELSE.................

Where can I find Arm and Hammer kitty litter?  The clumpable, scoopable, flushable kind.  I was using it, or rather Bud was using it, when we moved over here.  We both liked it.  Then Wal-Mart stopped handling it, then Dillon's stopped handling it and I can't find it at pet stores.  It was everything that we needed.  It absorbed odors quickly, clumped quickly, and I didn't have to scoop up a lot of extra litter with the clumps.

We are using something called Odor Lockers that is flushable.  Bud likes it but I don't.  Too much of it goes out with the flush and too much of it goes out of the box on to the floor.  Also, the clumps have a tendancy to fall apart when lifted.  I have another one that is like sand, but Bud doesn't like it.  We can't find the Odor Lockers anymore.

What I need is something that absorbs fast so that the urine doesn't go to the bottom of the box before it is absorbed, that is granular about 1/16 inch in size, flushable, clumpable and scoopable, odor-free and meets Bud's approval.  I like being able to flush the clumps as it is all disposed of immediately and not being stored waiting for disposal.  And I have not had any problems with clogging or anything like that as long as I follow the rules.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: W. Gray on December 02, 2007, 10:23:16 AM
If you cannot find it anywhere else, Amazon.com sells a 21 pound box for 9.39.

Only problem is shipping is a whopping $12.66.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Mom70x7 on December 02, 2007, 02:25:59 PM
Have you asked Julie, at Family Market, if she can find it?

When she first opened up, she asked people what they wanted her to carry.
We mentioned several items, and she stocks most all of them now.

If you like it that much, there are probably others who do as well.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Ms Bear on December 02, 2007, 02:33:29 PM
I searched for the website for Arm and Hammer and they have two kinds of Cat Litter and you can print coupons for them but it didn't say what stores carry it.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Wilma on December 02, 2007, 02:53:08 PM
Thanks for the info.  No, I haven't asked Julie if she could get it for me.  I figured that if it weren't popular enough for Wal-Mart to carry that there wouldn't be much of a market here for it either.  I wonder if anyone else in Howard has a cat that can't go outdoors.

I will look into the Amazon.com but I sure don't want to pay that much for shipping.  Kitty litter is heavy compared to bulk.  Actually, flushable kitty litter is expensive compared to the common stuff.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Roma Jean Turner on December 02, 2007, 04:47:51 PM
I remember in my younger years, smuggling Coors Beer from Oklahoma to Kansas,  do I now need to start an Arm & Hammer Kitty Litter run from here to Howard ? :laugh:  I always used it when I had cats but haven't paid attention lately.  I know it is no long term solution, but I can drop you off some on my way to Wichita for Christmas.  I will take the back roads down and come up through Howard to 400.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: sixdogsmom on December 02, 2007, 04:56:12 PM
Since Walmart has redone their stores , there seem to be lots of things they no longer carry. I guess this it to make room for the high profit items that we don't really need. It will be kind of like going to the mall---just forget it if you are shopping for something you really need. Pretty soon there will be an open market for local enterprise, I hope.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Wilma on December 02, 2007, 05:10:41 PM
Thank you, Roma.  It has to be the kind that can be flushed.  I can get the other kind around here.  In fact, I have a box of the non-flushable in the utility room that I will use in an emergency, like if I can't get anything else.  If you can find the flushable kind in Missouri, I will have my daughter bring me some every time she comes over.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Teresa on December 03, 2007, 02:54:10 AM
Julie is wonderful when it comes to ordering what you want.
I have ask her about several items and before long they are right there in the store.
Don't underestimate our local buisness's on getting anything that the bigger stores can get.
Generally they can get anything you need. And WILL.
So ya better ask her first Wilma... after all... SHE is here in good old Howard.. caring about our town..
Walmart certainly isn't.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Wilma on December 03, 2007, 08:04:42 AM
OK, I will ask her.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Mom70x7 on December 06, 2007, 10:28:40 PM
QuoteOK, I will ask her.

Have you been to the store yet? What results?  ???
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Wilma on December 07, 2007, 07:48:37 AM
I haven't been to the store yet.  I thought I might yesterday, but it was so cold that I decided to just get my hair cut and come home.  Maybe when it warms up a bit more.  First daughter does my errands for me when I don't want to go out.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Wilma on January 16, 2008, 10:32:47 AM
Back to the soft towels.  Janet brought me some of those balls to put in the dryer and I tried them this morning.  They didn't work for me.  I compared one of the towels with another towel just like it that had been dried without the balls and without the balls is softer.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Rudy Taylor on January 16, 2008, 04:18:17 PM
... balls in the dryer?

I don't think so!!

(This sounds like a conversation where Ta Ta would feel right at home.)
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Mom70x7 on January 17, 2008, 06:15:30 PM
Ahhh, Rudy - education time.  :)

She's talking about a real product: http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/dryer_balls.html

Dryer Balls - The Official Site of AsSeenOnTV.com - The Natural Way To Soften Fabrics!
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Diane Amberg on January 17, 2008, 07:12:22 PM
I'm not sure how those would work any better than clothes rubbing against each other in the dryer, in fact they might break the fibers. Are they hard? I'll stick with my dryer sheets.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Wilma on January 17, 2008, 10:02:39 PM
Yes, they are hard.  I wondered, too, if they might be hard on the fabric.  I won't be using them  The vinegar I use in place of softener works as well as anything.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Roma Jean Turner on January 18, 2008, 08:33:12 AM
  Wilma, I have heard of using vinegar.  About how much would you use in a load?  I may give it a try.  However, I can't imagine putting a load in the dryer without my dryer sheet.  Maybe I'll do both.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Wilma on January 18, 2008, 09:35:39 AM
I use about as much vinegar as I would liquid softener, putting it in the softener dispenser of my machine.  My idea was that the vinegar would get all the detergent out, eliminating some of the source of the hardness.  I see no reason why a dryer sheet couldn't also be used.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: frawin on January 18, 2008, 10:01:21 AM
We used to always use vinegar when washing black or navy blue.  Seemed to help keep the color longer.  When I lived in West Texas, the water was terrible.  It was very hard and we never drank the water from the faucet, but either drank bottled water or RO.  Anyway, I used vinegar for the last rinse in my dishwasher to keep the lime from building up on the glasses.

MLW
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Dale Smith on January 18, 2008, 12:55:06 PM
Ever since getting the vinegar advice from Wilma, I have kept a gallon jug of white distilled vinegar in the laundry room.  The jug says "Two cups of vinegar in th wash help restore fluffiness to blankets and towels."  So, that's what I have been using.  Works great!
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Jo McDonald on January 18, 2008, 01:54:30 PM
When I was first married,  Mom McDonald told me if I would soak black or Navy blue things  in strong salt water before they were washed, it would "set" the color ..so I always did that, until I got older and forgot about it.   ;D ;D ;D

I did dye some faded blue jeans with a dark navy color and the directions on that was to soak in strong salt water, after dying process was finished.
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Janet Harrington on January 27, 2008, 10:03:55 PM
Wow.  I really thought the dryer balls would work.  Darn. 
Title: Re: TELL ME SOMETHING
Post by: Teresa on January 28, 2008, 11:17:40 AM
That's what ya get for thinkin'..  :P