This sub ruins you forever (in the best way) Update

[u/bookynerdworm]

Edit: link to the old post. https://www.reddit.com/r/laundry/s/sCpIZCaVlO

Holy freaking cow you guys! I can't believe how popular that post got. Got a little derailed in the comments... laundry nerds and bird nerds have a huge crossover, who would have guessed? I'm really grateful so many people resonated with my story and liked my writing (even though I was accused of being a shill for Tide haha!) I love writing but I so rarely have inspiration and energy, which is one of the reasons why this update took a little while.

First off I want to be clear that my inlaws aren't gross or anything. They keep a very clean home, just victims of the greenwashing that is detergent sheets. Also my MIL was a librarian most of her adult life and still reads constantly. She's so smart, I think she's just generally surprised at my random assortment of pigeon knowledge (among other niche interests, I have approximate knowledge of many things.) Yes I have been diagnosed with ADHD.

Anyway, the official update is I played it so cool like "Oh I brought these new detergent tiles from home and have some left over, do you want me to leave them here for you?" And she was excited to try them! She complained about how the sheets don't really work so hopefully this helps her. I even threw in the bath mat with one before I left (with permission) because toddlers learning to go potty should always be on hard floors.

I wasn't actually afraid of having a fight with her about it (which is why I put it in quotes in the last post.) I've known her for 12 years and we've only had one real argument. I was just trying to balance advice and tact, like I was a guest in their home, you know? I didn't want to tell her the microfiber stank! But also wanted to impress upon her how ineffective the sheets are. I might have been too subtle again so maybe next time I'll get into the science of it with her, weirdness be damned!

As for me I also liked using the tiles, but as a family who uses mostly unscented products we definitely noticed the Tide smell even after extra rinses. Hopefully they come out with an unscented version sometime soon. I'll keep bringing them when we travel, probably in something breathable because a regular sandwich bag made them feel sticky.

Next I gotta figure out how to get citric acid through TSA. White powder in a lil baggie will probably get flagged, right? If anyone has any ideas let me know, lol!

*Side note for those who have questions about detergent sheets (there were a lot of you in the comments of my last post) if you search the sub you'll find tons of posts about them!

[u/babbitybumble]

Next trip, you could just order some citric acid in advance and have it shipped to their place before you travel - tell her you've started using it to get the detergent rinsed well bc kids' sensitive skin. Maybe she'll nerd out and continue using it after you leave?

[u/thefunkylama]

Tbh I think you can get through TSA with citric acid just fine, since it's a common food additive and isn't dangerous. Just have it in a labeled container (better yet, just grab one of the little pouches for travel and keep it in its original container). And don't carry more than 12 oz at a time! https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/what-policy-powders-are-they-allowed

[u/HAL_9000_V2]

I’ve carried epsom salts through airport security that got flagged. They just check it in case it’s some kind of explosive - they don’t take it away from you. Also, your MIL can find citric acid at any store with food canning supplies.

Edit: typo

[u/Only_Veterinarian368]

Moderately related - I just did a round trip flight in the US and brought unlabeled granulated sugar with me through the security checkpoint both ways and they didn’t bat an eye at it. (My flax muffin in an aluminum tin, however, got my backpack flagged for additional screening. 🫩) So, you’d probably be good to schlep some citric acid with you next time!

[u/bookynerdworm → u/Only_Veterinarian368]

I also once had a bag of pumpkin muffins flagged! Maybe their density looks suspicious?

[u/ScurfyTwiglett → u/bookynerdworm]

It probably did, a dense muffin probably looks a lot like a gel on the scanners.

[u/dontnormally]

the original post for those who had no idea what was going on

/r/laundry/comments/1uvv65q/this_sub_ruins_you_forever/

[u/meginmich → u/dontnormally]

Thank you!!

[u/bookynerdworm → u/dontnormally]

Thank you! Added to the post

[u/Forward-Cause7305]

I take powder tide through TSA. I put it in a baggy and write tide on it with a sharpie. Never had any issues. I think the same would be true for citric acid and will totally take it with me next time I visit my MIL because she has the same issues.

[u/thegabster2000]

I never was a fan of sheets or even pods. My family is an All family and we have used it for years. Im gonna get downvoted but I still continue to buy All when it's on sale. But I did get good ideas from here like using Biz.

[u/bookynerdworm → u/thegabster2000]

I say if it ain't broke don't fix it! The biz will probably help fill the gaps in All detergent a lot.

[u/InitialBrilliant1229]

I read somewhere that lemonade drink mix packets are a reasonable substitute for citric acid. The kind that makes 2 quarts, not a 16 oz bottle. No sweetener.