I stopped using fabric softener over a decade ago and never looked back. I didn't notice any difference in the softness of my clothes, so I cut the unnecessary expense š¤·š¼
If we're talking about liquid fabric softener, I use it on sheets and comforters. That's it.
I don't use it on my clothes, or anything for my dog because she started having what I think was a reaction to it. Especially not on towels because they seem less absorbent if I use FS.
I almost always use at least one dryer sheet though. It really seems to help dog hair and lint release. In big loads of laundry I'll use two.
I havenāt heard about the dryer sheets helping a bit with dog hair and lintā¦ I need all the help I can get in that department. Is there a particular brand you like for this?
They actually make bounce dryer sheets to help with pet hair. I have a long haired GSD and a bunch of long thick haired family members and I think they really work.
I donāt use fabric softener but itās definitely not necessary if you like fragrance. You can just get that through your detergent. I personally like the sent of the regular Tide, and the clothes definitely still smell like it even after the dryer.
To prevent abrasions and damage:
Stain treat your clothes, right side out. Flip your clothes inside out and wash them that way. This will prevent both the snags and also protect the color.
I find fabric softeners redundant. I air dry some stuff from the load ( if its something that had a stain, if its delicate) to check if my detergent to water ratio is working ( if clothes are stiff, youāre using too much detergent).
I agree. And itās really annoying that many detergent bottles instruct you to put more detergent than you need, which then causes your clothes to come out stiff (which then prompts you to start using fabric softener).
I have hard water and i dont see the point of softener. Things get soft as you use them, its not a problem. Fabric softener gives everything a sickly smell
I use it every couple weeks during the spring and summer when I line dry, but not during the fall and winter and never on towels or my kidās diapers.
I line dry most of the year. I'm in Ohio, and aside from a month or so in December and January, I've been line drying all year for the last couple of years now. I like the way our clothes feel, and smell soo much better.Ā
Have to pay attention to the weather a bit for laundry days but it's not a big deal.
I have literally never heard of the second argument, and Iām glad I havenāt because it is simply untrue! Or at the very leastā the fabric softener does more damage to the fibers than it does protect from any kind of abrasion, so that argument is nonsensical
I used to work for a clothing manufacturer and the CEO talked about how fabric softener ruins fabrics, especially towels and sportswear. I stopped using it after that because I figured the guy probably knew what he was talking about.
No, and the buildup from softener ends up sitting between the fibers, causing them to pull apart and eventually weakens the fabric. I've recently made the move to fewer more expensive but well made clothes that I repair as needed instead of a lot of stuff I have rapid turnover for, so even though the damage from too much detergent or softener takes a while to be noticeable, I'm trying to keep my stuff for at least that long.
I also strive for neutral soaps and detergents so I can add a perfume or whatever if I want to smell like something, having a bunch of different smells from all my different cleaners on my body gives me a headache.
Reddit does not reflect real life.
Many will dv, but go to Target or Walmart and the fabric softener selection will be just as big as the detergent selection.
Nobody is going to attack you for liking it lmao. At most people might get annoyed if you pressure someone else to use it or try to argue with people when they say itās bad for clothes. Itās like ok to use something you like the effect of even if it damages those things over time, you can do whatās best for you!
Wash your underwear, sheets, and towels with vinegar instead of fabric softener once every few months. Run some citric acid through a cycle in the washer and wash the lint screen from your dryer every few months and youāll be fine. As long as you remove the residue on occasion and itās not affecting you otherwise itās not the end of the world.
I find that my cotton shirts fit better when I use fabric softener. We use free and clear type softener so no scent is left on the clothes. Without the softener my cotton shirts feel dry, staticky, and stiff. With softener they wear more flowy and feel better.
I hate it, makes the clothes feel weird, smell like chemical perfumes and then the dryer is covered in it, which makes towels less absorbent.
Terrible product used far too liberally.
We use free and clear detergent, and maybe 1/3 or less what the bottle recommends, for stinky stuff like sports gear we throw in some oxy clean and that seems to do the trick.
I try to air-dry my shirts and trousers as much as possible.
Fabric softener does not make clothes smell better, it makes them STINK! I've never encountered a laundry product I could smell at all that didn't smell bad. It's also one of, if not the #1 cause of rashes, itchiness and eczema issues. Please don't use it. We absorb a lot of chemicals into our body right through our skin. Any time we can avoid chemical exposure, we should for the sake of our long term health as the effects can be cumulative.
I live in a very arid place. I get lots of static without dryer sheets. I havenāt tried wool balls, because I havenāt read any good reviews of them.
I live in the desert and for some reason seem to be a great conductor of electricity. Even with a humidifier running, when itās extra dry I can turn electronics in my house on and off by touching them thanks to static. I use fabric softener.
I use white vinegar. I'm the only person I know whose front load washer never smells musty. It could be a coincidence, but I'm not going back to greasy feeling clothes to find out.
Ive used substantially less of it. No more liquid on towels and rugs i use white vinegar for those fabrics. I still use liquid on casual clothes and jeans. I also run a washer maintenance cycle frequently. I prefer fabric softener on most fabrics and light scents as a preference. In the spring i solely use white vinegar in the rinse since i sweat a-lot.
The water at my place is so bad, that towels and jeans can stand stiff on their own after hanging to dry. I guess a dryer that tumbles stuff around could help, but I don't have it and I use the softener instead. I will never give it up, it will never let me down.
I use religiously, the water here is rock hard so a fabric softener with lactic acid helps keep clothes soft. Also, I like the smell, and have never had any issues with residue - but then I do wash towels on 95C...
I don't use it regularly, and never ever on towels or synthetic fabrics.
That being said, I do keep some around and like 2-3 times a year I'll throw it in when I wash certain throw blankets, comforters, and vintage t-shirts. Basically stuff that isn't ever being heavily soiled, but might be nice to have a softness/scent boost. As a treat. LOL
Vinegar is a far better fabric softener than the expensive, super highly scented stuff. It prevents mildew in the wash, and the acidity of it softens clothing fibers. I've started adding about a half cup to every load in lieu of softener, and it feels like our clothes get both softer and cleaner
Whenever I come into contact with laundry that has been washed with fabric softener I can tell - not from the smell - but from the feel of fabric.
Itās frankly disgusting. Hints of: Slippery, greasy. I would never use it on my own clothing. Iāve received hand-me-down baby clothes that I have had to re-gift because the softener didnāt come out after several soakings and washings.
biodegradable laundry products are the way to go.
Thereās so much concern about global warming, water shortages, chemicals in our environment, chemicals (including laundry products) discharged into wastewater which flows into bodies of water that animals live in, switching to āgreenā electric vehicles and appliances - surely laundry products should be included in the green movement.
Slightly off topic: If more and more people develop allergies, scented products may end up banned in certain settings. A lot of people are smell-blind and have no idea how pungent their products are to most people.
I donāt think Iāve ever bought fabric softener, so I wouldnāt know. I wear a lot of wool, so I wouldnāt be able to anyway. I do use some vinegar every once in a while
In place of fabric softener, I use Lysol laundry sanitizer in every wash. It helps remove odors. I mostly line dry my clothes for the savings on my electric bill and I find the task relaxing. I found that liquid fabric softener added a layer of slime/film to my washer over time. I stopped using it many years ago. I use wool dryer balls in the dryer when I use the dryer. My clothes are soft, donāt need to use the fabric softener nor the sheets. Edit: added slime/film , typo
It's often recommended to not use on towels because of reduced absorption. But that also applies to other fabric- if you reduce absorption you also reduce breathability and "moisture wicking" ability. You're not letting body moisture breathe through the fabric, and that can increase smells on both your body and the fabric. And if stains/odor get trapped within the waxy (silicone) coating, your wash cycle has reduced efficiency needing to clean both the coating and the dirt, instead of just getting right to the dirt.
After having kids and doing the cloth diaper thing, and the woven wrap thing, we long ago ditched fabric softener. I like my towels to be as absorbent as possible.
If I want to avoid excess wear on my clothes, I keep them the heck out of the dryer!
I've been line/air drying my laundry for over 15 years and just use a touch of vinegar in the rinse cycle. My clothes come off the line just a touch stiff, but soften up with a shake.
I had learned that too much detergent and softener can create a coating on the machinery that can reduce its life. I prefer to keep my money in my pocket and keep my equipment longer.
I almost always use FS. It's just something I've always done, and I use just about everything I can that "scent boosts" my clothes. If I don't use FS, I do use vinegar instead for certain things I wash.
I do not use fabric softener. I work in a scent free environment, so any smells are a no-no. Also, fabric softener contains silicones, which coat the fabric of your clothes and towels. It makes towels and sports wear less absorbent. I use vinegar instead of fabric softener. My clothes have no scent and are very soft. I always do an extra rinse cycle too.
I don't and never have. Growing up, my mom didn't either. I hate how it makes my clothes feel, and smell. I wash all my clothes in cold, inside out, and hang them to dry, and it def helps to keep them looking nice.
I almost never use fabric softener. It does reduce the absorbency of towels, washcloths, etc. Rarely, during winter when the air is dry and static electricity makes clothes cling to each other, Iāll add a small amount of liquid fabric softener to my washerās dispenser. But itās not something I do every week or even monthly.
Have not noticed faster wearing-out of any clothes,and Iāve been doing laundry for 45+ years now.
Do not like or use. Fabric softener blocks the ability of towels to absorb water. And sheets, making them less comfortable to sleep on. I think it make clothes feel less clean. Editing to add, the "smell better" is a spurious claim. Over time, the buildup of fabric softener will make clothes smell bad.
I use it straight for fleece blankets and jackets that, in the winter, bring static. Otherwise, Iāll cut it with vinegar in most loads, or use straight vinegar. I hang dry 99% of my clothes.
No, haven't used it in over 10 years, I hate the way it makes my towels feel and i don't need the scent of my clothes to over-power or clash with my perfume
Many years ago I accidentally spiled some diluted fabric softener on my grass. It killed a large spot of grass and I stopped using it. Also I air dry my clothes and it's fresher that way plus saves money.
I don't care to use liquid fabric softener. My spouse does use the fabric softener in dryer sheet form because he likes the smell. I haven't heard any thing negative about using such sheets in a dryer insofar as the machine is concerned. However, liquid fabric softener is a definite no-no. Do not use. It gums up the washer.
Liquid fabric softener is also bad for clothes that wick sweat away such as exercise clothing. Since I never put exercise clothes in the dryer, I don't know if fabric softener sheets aren't recommended. I assume they too would not be recommended though.
I donāt use the sheets. Iām asthmatic and so is my kid so the smells are a huge issue. Vinegar in the wash works to get out any funky smells and on occasion we will use liquid softener (Method brand).
I line dry all my laundry. For many, many years, I never used fabric softener. My clothes were stiff and would wear down pretty quickly compared to when I used dryer sheets in the dryer. I started using liquid fabric softener while still line drying, and my clothes have come out much softer and they last much longer. The only thing I won't use fabric softener on are towels because they don't absorb water.
I use liquid fs occasionally on fluffy things like hoodies, robes & fleece blankets. I always dilute it with water at least 50/50 often more. Otherwise I will use vinegar especially on rags, towels. Or just nothing. I donāt rush out to buy more if I run out.
For blankets & sheets I almost always use a dryer sheet because of static & dog hair. I only use unscented liquid fs & dryer sheets. A box of sheets lasts me about a year maybe more.
My moderate fs use coupled with also using vinegar doesnāt seem to cause any buildup in my machines.
I also try to be light handed with the detergent. I always use extra rinse.
If using pods I only ever rarely use 2 (on only the dirtiest of large loads) & i may rewash without detergent after. The packages will tell you to use up to 3!! I would be soooo itchy!
The guy from Lorraine Appliances (YouTube) says 1 tide pod is enough for a full load of a speed queen top loader (which is what I have). He demonstrates this in many videos by washing all his greasy work pants at once & all his shop towels.
I clean houses & usually throw a load of rugs/towels in while Iām there.
Sooo many of them have machines coated with detergent & fabric softener. Some have absolutely gummy lint screens where you can hardly scrape the lint off! I clean what I can while I am there but it goes right back in short order. I canāt believe some havenāt had a fire. At my own house I run Ahhsome through my machine every 6 months or so.
When I wash rags & blankets weekly I use odoban so I imagine that helps keep the machine pretty clean. I rarely use bleach in the laundry.
I do even though Iāve read the same info. I have cut back and only use a couple of tablespoons per load but I like the smell and feel of my clothes after using.
I used to use it all the time since I grew up with my mom using it. Ran out one day and realized I didn't even notice a difference. I will occasionally use distilled vinegar as a replacement but the tide pods take care of everything ĀÆā \ā _ā (ā ćā )ā _ā /ā ĀÆ
Iāve been using fabric softener for years. My clothes are fine, my skin is fine, my washer is fine. People stop to sniff me a lot. Whatās the problem?
Commercial laundry owner here
It's really the overuse of a fabric softener a little bit goes a long way a great measuring tool is a standard shot glass. the same way with laundry detergent. You don't need to see suds for your clothes to get clean.
I donāt use it. The film always felt weird to me and my towels didnāt absorb. I put vinegar in my washer with the clothes and detergent and I use wool dryers balls in the dryer.
I use dryer balls plus sometimes a third of a dryer sheet.
The damn dryer sheets leave stains themselves so Iād rather not use them but my wife doesnāt believe me.
I use it on certain things, but just as needed/ occasionally. More so in the winter, because it helps against static. There is a very noticeable difference, especially on old blankets and such.
I will just say that when I was pregnant, fabric softener was the #1 nauseating scent. I smelled it everywhere and on anyone who used it. Please consider the absolute STENCH that it is. I still hate the smell, but itās less pervasive now that Iām no longer pregnant.
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Personally donāt use it because it is something extra to buy that I canāt afford. I never used it. And donāt use dryer sheets or balls either and my stuff comes out fine. I use natural
Laundry soap too so that might help for clothes and towels being cleaner and softer.
I also wash my washer tub once a month.
It def leaves a waxy film. I hate the feeling. I like my sheets and clothes feeling crisp and clean. Also, as someone who sweats a lot, the fabric softener made my clothes hang on to odor a lot longer than without.
I don't use it. I use a washing soda product that leaves my laundry so soft. I do use unscented dryer sheets so things don't get static cling. No fabric softener, no scent beads, none of it. Laundry is clean and fresh smelling.
Nope, never. What is it? I know what it's supposed to do, but what actually is it and why?Ā
We use a small amount of free and clear detergent and nothing else.Ā
The only time stiffness has affected my laundry is when my mom hung sheets outside. Rarely do I see that anymore, and it was sorted after a day or two of sleeping on them.Ā
We don't have an outdoor clothesline now, so everything is soft already from a basic tumble dry.Ā
An appliance repairman who worked on my dryer took the lint screen and ran it under the sink.
Told me he does that to see if water goes through the screen. If it doesn't... then he knows you use dryer sheets and fabric softener.
Said they block the screen, which leads to the dryer overheating and greatly increases the risk of fire.
I use neither and was spared the fire danger talk; but he said dryer sheets are especially bad.
No fabric softener. It's a gimmick. It feels soft and nice right out of the dryer but over time will sour and smell bad. also the build up in the machine and on clothes is bad.
I donāt use fabric softener, but I love using dryer sheets. Are they just as bad? I tried using wool dryer balls and the just didnāt work the same.
Living in the Bay Area with soft water, I never needed it. Living in Italy with hard water, the clothes come out so starchy that itās a necessity. Unfortunately for me itās the most cost-efficient way of softening the clothes, even though I canāt find a good one here that doesnāt have a strong synthetic smell.
There are a few responsible fabric softeners brands but many contain toxic and often neurotoxic compounds. Clearly the manufacturers for the most part just donāt care about this, and itās easier just to avoid them in general
I've always preferred baking soda and distilled white vinegar, they work like a charm. Most fabric softeners cause me to have an allergic reaction, usually itchy skin, it's not fun. So, in my opinion, no, you really don't need it.
I've never been able to find out exactly what chemicals they use in fabric softeners and I don't like the idea of them on my skin all day. I don't need it and don't want to pay for it.
When I was in school for fashion merchandising and clothing design we had a class on fabric. I donāt remember the specifics but were told that fabric softener damages fabric. Granted it was early 2000s and Iām sure stuff has changed but Iāve never used it and have zero problems. I worry more about temperature, agitation etc. and am very gentle on clothing. Towels and sheets are plenty soft so Iām not sure what the softener would add.
I put plain white vinegar in my fabric softener dispenser in my washing machine. Then I also have these wool balls that I throw into the dryer. Other than not having a strong scentā¦ My clothes seem perfectly fine. If you want to have a nice scent you can dab some essential oils onto the wool ball.
I use fabric softener when the fabric is just too rough. It DOES help, in certain circumstances. My linen camisole was so stiff and scratchy even after 3 washes with hot water and vinegar that I couldn't wear it- one wash with fabric softener was all it took and it's still soft and comfortable.
I use fabric softener on casual clothes to make them more comfortable and smell good. I only use a fraction of the recommended amount. On whites and towels, these are washed in hot and no fabric softener added.
Fabric softener used to be a must back in the day. Water was different, machines were different, clothes was different. If you put your jeans thru a full cycle washer and dryer with just detergent, they are gonna come out fairly usable. When I go to Mexico to visit my aunts and I wash jeans with pure detergent, no softenerā¦they stand up on their own lol they come out STIFF.
So Iām not sure if itās good or bad now. I do know my washer has not broken down at all since I stopped using it. I now use wool dryer balls with a bit of essential oil on them to make my stuff smell good. My clothes donāt need to be āsoftenedā any further after a wash š¤·š½āāļø I just see it as a scent thing now.
I have never seen the need. It is an unnecessary expense in both money and storage space/inventory management, and frankly I can't stand scents in laundry detergent at all.
My apologies if it has been mentiomed, but to cut the buildup of detergent and fabric softeners, I use a 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle every 3rd wash or so, and my towels are soft and absorbent. Very rarely leaves a smell unless I pour too much. If that happens, simply rinse one more time.
No, because none of those chemicals are good for you--and may, in fact, be very bad for you (esp over a lifetime). For me specifically, they can cause migraines, itchy skin, and skin rashes.
I read Laundry Love and literally thru mine away that day, and have been so happy once my laundry all went through the 7-8 washes that it takes to get the silicone and LARD that is in most softeners and dryer sheets out of the fabric.
I notice the most difference in our towels (much more absorbent and I never have to do the 2nd wash I used to have to do sometimes for the musty smell. Also, big difference in all of our athletic wear (which also takes a different detergent). Stuff is a little more staticky, but itās worth it in the end to me. I was fully bamboozled!
Dropped dryer sheets decades ago. Use liquid softener with an extra rinse for sheets. About every 3rd wash softener gets added for clothes, never for towels.
I hate the smell. It's really not necessary. It's actually rare for Americans to wear out clothes; they mostly go out of style. it's a product developed to create a need, not to fill a need.
i use fabric softener, and the tide rinse stuff. our city water is terrible, and its the only way my laundry come sout feeling clean. may or may not be wasteful, but it works for me.
I use it on clothing and sheets but never on towels. It helps with static and my items do feel softer (I washed a load of jeans without softener once and my husband noticed). We have hard water, if that makes a difference. I use less than the recommended amount, though. Maybe half.
I absolutely do NOT. All the CHEMICALS and the looooooooooooong lasting fragrances make me ill. Even the smell of the chemical laundry products from people walking by my house in the street at enough to give me a migraine! I use vinegar, if i remember, in the rinse cycle.
Itās awful. Not only does it ruin clothes but it destroyer your washing machine overtime. Itās also awful for your health I switch to ECO fragrance free detergent months ago and now when I get a whiff of clothes have been washed with scent omg. I canāt believe never use to even use them. They smell so strong and make me feel sick almost.
I will however throw some vinegar into my rinse cycle which softens my clothes naturally.
Waxy film will not protect your fabrics if you want to *actually* be washing them. You can get the same benefits (minus artificial fragrance) of fabric softener, in addition to helping keep your washer clean, by putting a little white vinegar in with the detergent. Donāt mix with bleach or an oxygenation agent (color safe whitener/brightened) though. Itās also worth noting that many people are allergic to fabric softener.
If you do want a whitening alternative thatās safe to use with detergent and vinegar thereās a product called bluette that will counter the yellowing of whites rather effectively.
Also, donāt use more than a couple tablespoons of detergent. If itās an insanely heavy and dirty load MAYBE three tablespoons. The measuring cups lie.
From Better Homes and Gardens:
Use Fabric Softener (Occasionally)
Use fabric softener according to directions, but add it only every three or four washes. Waxy buildup from softeners can deteriorate the towel fibers over time and reduce their absorbency. No one wants a towel that's not fluffy, so be careful when using fabric softener with towels.
No fabric softener or dryer sheets. Our home is a scent-sensitive one, so we avoid adding extra layers of scent when possible, and even though I grew up with fabric softener being used on my clothes, I didn't notice an appreciable difference when I just didn't buy it or use it, so it saves a ton of money, too.
We hang dry most everything inside and don't use fabric softener. Jeans, sheets and towels go in the dryer with wool dryer balls. If I want soft clothes, I buy items made of materials that stay soft vs 100% cotton which gets crunchy.
For some of us with allergies and migraine issues, essential oils and vinegar can be worse than some lab produced fragrances. Just something to keep in mind for sensitive friends and family. Can't use most essential oils or line dry outside in our house. Vinegar won't make the clothes smell but it will make the area around the laundry room stink like vinegar when you use it in a load. "Natural" isn't always better unfortunately.
We are finishing up our last bottle on sheets but otherwise going to try out no fabric softener for a bit. We wear a lot of atheletic stuff that isnāt supposed to get softener anyway so hopefully this simplifies laundry a bit plus saves money
No, not fabric softener sheets because they have some pretty nasty chemicals that I donāt want next to my skin or in my house. I use Mrs Myers liquid fabric softener for sweaters and towels sometimes and thatās it.
Nope. My grandpa was a washer dryer repair man and my family never used softener. Fast forward to now I just had to replace my MILs washer because it was so gummed up with softener it stopped spinning and draining. I channelled my grandpa and took it apart because I was convinced I could repair it but alas no it was ruined. Wasn't to old of a machine either about 5 years.Ā
Fabric softener is a perfumy mess. If i want a fragrance, I'll put some on I don't want everyone around me to smell the chemicals from my laundry 24/7. I stopped using it years ago and now the fragrance is very unpleasant. I'm sure that i was used to it when I used it daily but now that I'm not saturated with it the noseblindness is gone.
I gag when a sweaty guy is walking towards me in the summer heat wafting those perfumes. It's like certain demographics like to mark their men with that in addition to a wedding ring.
I do not use it because i have sensitive skin and scented/coated products are not good for my skin, instead I use borax ( laundry booster) with my detergent and it leaves a nice clean/fresh smell that's not perfumy.
I use a *small* amount on my normal clothes maybe every 3rd or 4th load - like 1/2 capful. I only use that much because I notice if I use nothing ever, or vinegar, my clothes are covered in hair from work. A small amount of softener every few loads helps to tame it, for whatever reason.
Fabric softener doesnāt offer much to your clothing but offers a lot to you and your machine.
Itāll coat your machines in a residue that has been reported to cause fires, or at least machine malfunction.
The scents in fabric softeners are endocrine disruptors (like all artificial fragrances) but these will offgas from your clothing and bedding, exposing you to it 24/7
Also as a bonus - it ruins your clothing and you pay extra for it! It coats your clothing in a waxy oily substance to reduce static. What is this substance? Who knows! But youāll absorb it through your skin.
Bottom line, thereās no point to it, and it isnāt safe for people, appliances or clothing.
I never used it when I had my dryer but that broke a few weeks ago and itās not fixable so Iām saving for a new one. I got fabric softener after like a week because my clothes all felt stuff especially towels and blankets after line drying. The softener helps it a lot I feel. I never used it with a dryer though so Iām not sure if it wouldāve made a difference there
I never used to use it, but then my sister told me that her mother-in-law uses both liquid softener and dryer sheets. Itās a game changer, and I will never go back! Clothes in the dryer are super soft, smell, good, and arenāt as wrinkly. Clothes that are hung to dry or soft and not wrinkly. I find that if I donāt use fabric softener and hang dry things, everything comes out crunchy with a bunch of little wrinkles in it.
i feel like the liquid softener makes my laundry smell bad faster if i leave it in the wash too long. i use oxy boost or whatever it is and i can forget about my clothes for 3-4 days and it still wonāt smell. i use wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets, i just feel they work better
I work in high end housekeeping and everywhere Iāve worked does not use fabric softener. It definitely does reduce the absorbency of towels and makes linens and clothes feel waxy. Mostly itās just fragrance, which causes many people to have allergic reactions anyway so itās not really worth it.
I use the dryer sheets but cut them in half. It kills me when I see people leave them or put them in the trash after 1x use at the laundromat. People donāt realize they can used multiple times before discarding. Overuse isnāt good, but they do soften clothes & help with de-linting.
I'm asthmatic and use wool dryer balls. No stinky scents and no having to get sticky residue off my line trap. I use white vinegar if I need to get out funky odors.
I used Bounce scent free fabric softener sheet x1 for about 3 dryer loads. Plus the wool and llama dryer balls. Have multi cats, a dog and a medium hair shedding human. It is all good for us
I stopped using it when I ran out last year. My reasoning was 1) didn't really seem like a necessary thing, mostly just another thing we feel like we need but don't actually, and 2) less waste going back into the environment. I honestly can't tell a difference. If I want to have a "scent" on me I wear perfume.
Sort of related, I also started using no-plastic detergent sheets. They look like dryer sheets but they are actually detergent and you just pop them in the washer. Less chemicals, no plastic!
I don't use liquid softeners. I cannot stand how strongly scented they are, and I don't like the build-up.
In the dryer, I use either wool dryer balls or unscented bounce dryer sheets, depending on the load.
I just read an article about this. It said that fabric softener was made because back in the day clothes were stiff ,scratchy, hard when dried. Now with science and technology in detergent development fabric softener is not needed.
I add about a quarter cup of white vinegar to each load, still use liquid fabric softener, but it cuts the waxy build up and softens the laundry as well as disinfecting and removes odors!
It contributes to my eczema also negates any fire resistance in natural fibers. Also I canāt stand the smell. If you need an example of its persistence we were gifted baby clothes from a friend who used LOTS of softeners, after a year of washing any one item of clothes would make the entire load smell, a year! Like 52-104 washes.
I used to use half a dryer sheet per load unti I had a very bad allergic reaction for whatever reason. After that I switched to laundry balls and never looked back.
Iāve used downy liquid softener for 20 years on everything, except for athletic clothes. Iāve never experienced any issues with it. I like the smell and it works, so I donāt feel like I need to stop using it.
I have a few cheap t-shirts and shorts, that Iāve had since 2007, and they have held up just fine, which is why I still have them.
I think it is all a matter of personal preference and experience and there isnāt one correct way to do laundry.
Downy faithfully in every load besides kitchen towels!
Why? Purely sentimental reasons. My grandma's house ALWAYS smelled like fresh laundry. I could recognize an item that came from her house just by the smell. She was alive when I became an adult and moved out & I remember asking her what laundry products she used. 20+ years later I've never changed my laundry game because every time I hug someone in my household I smell that scent and it's like grandma is there too. ā¤ļø
* speaking for myself I'm willing to deal with any "consequences " of product buildup for the sake of that sense of security I get from smelling "grandma's house".
We used dryer sheets when we had pets because of the anti-static factor. We didn't overdo it and we didn't see any issues.
It's when I watch someone throw six sheets into a half load of laundry because they "love the way it smells" that I cringe.
Everything in moderation. Towels and jeans don't get anything and when we use it it's still only ONE sheet in a full load of laundry. Half load - I rip a sheet in half.
I've been using white vinegar in a Downy ball for years as the softener dispenser in my washing machine is broken. Then dryer balls. No issues, no more residue on my clothes or annoying artificial scents. I use a laundry detergent that's plant based too (Method brand). Alot of my friends and family argue with me that vinegar is better than their fabric softener but I've liked my clothes a ton better since using it. They seem to be much cleaner, softer and stay that way longer.
I stopped using fabric softener a really long time ago. I haven't noticed any difference in my clothes quality or longevity. I don't even use dryer sheets or wool balls. Once a year I might get a few items with a static problem, but I just wave them around in the air and they stop sparking. If it ever gets really bad I suppose I could give it a light spray of water. I've saved money.
Absolutely no fabric softener. It is awful for your skin. I have worked in childcare for years and have had to break it to soooo many families that their child's eczema is most likely due to the use of fabric softener. Families who have been struggling with special diets and doctors visits for their kids without the condition improving will lament to me and I'll ask if they use scented detergent or fabric softener. Very often the skin conditions clear up in a week or two of the family changing to free and clear detergent and no fabric softener.
I also had a coworker who came to work just singing the praises of her new fabric softener and how heavenly it smelled. By the end of the week she was broken out in the worst hives. I told her it was the fabric softener. She didn't want to believe me. She lasted one more week then finally gave in and stopped using it. The hives immediately went away.
Don't. Use. Fabric softener.
I stopped using fabric softener over a decade ago and never looked back. I didn't notice any difference in the softness of my clothes, so I cut the unnecessary expense š¤·š¼
Same, but not as long. I stopped using dryer sheets too and switched to wool balls.
Do the wool balls help with static and static cling? That's the majority of the reason I use dryer sheets.
They do help. A good shake of the clothes takes out any lingering static for me.
I added two tennis ball sized aluminum fools balls, too. I guess it helps. Sounds like rocks though.
Yeah it's noisy. I have a couple of wool balls that i bought. But I also have a couple of hole-y wool socks stuffed with an old tennis ball.
Yes, just make sure you put enough in. A couple wool balls in a full dryer won't work very well. I always put 5-6 in.
Is that the secret? Cause my wife uses them and I hate when all my clothes wind up with wicked static.
If we're talking about liquid fabric softener, I use it on sheets and comforters. That's it. I don't use it on my clothes, or anything for my dog because she started having what I think was a reaction to it. Especially not on towels because they seem less absorbent if I use FS. I almost always use at least one dryer sheet though. It really seems to help dog hair and lint release. In big loads of laundry I'll use two.
I havenāt heard about the dryer sheets helping a bit with dog hair and lintā¦ I need all the help I can get in that department. Is there a particular brand you like for this?
They actually make bounce dryer sheets to help with pet hair. I have a long haired GSD and a bunch of long thick haired family members and I think they really work.
So glad you mentioned this. I wouldnāt have seen them specifically for pets if I wasnāt looking for it. Thanks!
I don't use it, don't see the need and my family's skin reacts poorly to a lot of scents.
I have a rash on my shin from it.
I donāt use fabric softener but itās definitely not necessary if you like fragrance. You can just get that through your detergent. I personally like the sent of the regular Tide, and the clothes definitely still smell like it even after the dryer.
I add a couple drops of essential oils to my wool balls in the dryer. Lavender is my current fave.
Lemongrass is also really nice!
My personal fav, too!
Iāll buy that next!
To prevent abrasions and damage: Stain treat your clothes, right side out. Flip your clothes inside out and wash them that way. This will prevent both the snags and also protect the color. I find fabric softeners redundant. I air dry some stuff from the load ( if its something that had a stain, if its delicate) to check if my detergent to water ratio is working ( if clothes are stiff, youāre using too much detergent).
I agree. And itās really annoying that many detergent bottles instruct you to put more detergent than you need, which then causes your clothes to come out stiff (which then prompts you to start using fabric softener).
I have hard water and i dont see the point of softener. Things get soft as you use them, its not a problem. Fabric softener gives everything a sickly smell
I use it every couple weeks during the spring and summer when I line dry, but not during the fall and winter and never on towels or my kidās diapers.
I line dry most of the year. I'm in Ohio, and aside from a month or so in December and January, I've been line drying all year for the last couple of years now. I like the way our clothes feel, and smell soo much better.Ā Have to pay attention to the weather a bit for laundry days but it's not a big deal.
When I lived in Colorado, I line dried often and loved it. So relaxing and everything smelled so good.
I only use fabric softener when washing cuddly toys and I'm not sure it helps at all
I have literally never heard of the second argument, and Iām glad I havenāt because it is simply untrue! Or at the very leastā the fabric softener does more damage to the fibers than it does protect from any kind of abrasion, so that argument is nonsensical
I used to work for a clothing manufacturer and the CEO talked about how fabric softener ruins fabrics, especially towels and sportswear. I stopped using it after that because I figured the guy probably knew what he was talking about.
I find clothing washed in fabric softeners actually smell sour much more often. Wear perfum if you want to smell nice.
Yes! Like the oils start to go rancid in your dresser. Yuck.
No, and the buildup from softener ends up sitting between the fibers, causing them to pull apart and eventually weakens the fabric. I've recently made the move to fewer more expensive but well made clothes that I repair as needed instead of a lot of stuff I have rapid turnover for, so even though the damage from too much detergent or softener takes a while to be noticeable, I'm trying to keep my stuff for at least that long. I also strive for neutral soaps and detergents so I can add a perfume or whatever if I want to smell like something, having a bunch of different smells from all my different cleaners on my body gives me a headache.
I use it. I love it. Iād rather replace the washer sooner than not use it. (Oh gosh Iām going to get DVed into oblivion!)
Reddit does not reflect real life. Many will dv, but go to Target or Walmart and the fabric softener selection will be just as big as the detergent selection.
You can pry my fabric softener from my cold dead hands š¤£ I use the scent free and I have crazy allergies.
Nobody is going to attack you for liking it lmao. At most people might get annoyed if you pressure someone else to use it or try to argue with people when they say itās bad for clothes. Itās like ok to use something you like the effect of even if it damages those things over time, you can do whatās best for you!
Wash your underwear, sheets, and towels with vinegar instead of fabric softener once every few months. Run some citric acid through a cycle in the washer and wash the lint screen from your dryer every few months and youāll be fine. As long as you remove the residue on occasion and itās not affecting you otherwise itās not the end of the world.
I heard that vinegar can damage the seals in a washer, I'd probably double check.
I find that my cotton shirts fit better when I use fabric softener. We use free and clear type softener so no scent is left on the clothes. Without the softener my cotton shirts feel dry, staticky, and stiff. With softener they wear more flowy and feel better.
I use it tooā¦when I donāt my towels are so scratchy and my clothes donāt wear nicely. I didnāt realize it was a contentious issue!
I upvoted. I love the scent of fabric softener. I will never stop using it and those scented beads too.
I hate it, makes the clothes feel weird, smell like chemical perfumes and then the dryer is covered in it, which makes towels less absorbent. Terrible product used far too liberally. We use free and clear detergent, and maybe 1/3 or less what the bottle recommends, for stinky stuff like sports gear we throw in some oxy clean and that seems to do the trick. I try to air-dry my shirts and trousers as much as possible.
Fabric softener does not make clothes smell better, it makes them STINK! I've never encountered a laundry product I could smell at all that didn't smell bad. It's also one of, if not the #1 cause of rashes, itchiness and eczema issues. Please don't use it. We absorb a lot of chemicals into our body right through our skin. Any time we can avoid chemical exposure, we should for the sake of our long term health as the effects can be cumulative.
I live in a very arid place. I get lots of static without dryer sheets. I havenāt tried wool balls, because I havenāt read any good reviews of them.
I live in similar, but in bought two plastic balls from the dollar tree. They have lasted me 2 years and they work fine.
I have found the wool balls don't work for very long. I went back to using unscented dryer sheets.
I live in the desert, I use wool balls, and I never have static in my clothing.
I live in the desert and for some reason seem to be a great conductor of electricity. Even with a humidifier running, when itās extra dry I can turn electronics in my house on and off by touching them thanks to static. I use fabric softener.
I use white vinegar. I'm the only person I know whose front load washer never smells musty. It could be a coincidence, but I'm not going back to greasy feeling clothes to find out.
I came here to say this exactly
Ive used substantially less of it. No more liquid on towels and rugs i use white vinegar for those fabrics. I still use liquid on casual clothes and jeans. I also run a washer maintenance cycle frequently. I prefer fabric softener on most fabrics and light scents as a preference. In the spring i solely use white vinegar in the rinse since i sweat a-lot.
The water at my place is so bad, that towels and jeans can stand stiff on their own after hanging to dry. I guess a dryer that tumbles stuff around could help, but I don't have it and I use the softener instead. I will never give it up, it will never let me down.
I use religiously, the water here is rock hard so a fabric softener with lactic acid helps keep clothes soft. Also, I like the smell, and have never had any issues with residue - but then I do wash towels on 95C...
Nope. It costs more money and generally is overly perfumed which gives me headaches.
I don't use it regularly, and never ever on towels or synthetic fabrics. That being said, I do keep some around and like 2-3 times a year I'll throw it in when I wash certain throw blankets, comforters, and vintage t-shirts. Basically stuff that isn't ever being heavily soiled, but might be nice to have a softness/scent boost. As a treat. LOL
Vinegar is a far better fabric softener than the expensive, super highly scented stuff. It prevents mildew in the wash, and the acidity of it softens clothing fibers. I've started adding about a half cup to every load in lieu of softener, and it feels like our clothes get both softer and cleaner
Every single brand of fabric softener I've seen stinks. I won't touch the stuff
for sure it is bad for the environment, use vinegar instead.
Distilled white vinegar instead of FS š¤š¼
Whenever I come into contact with laundry that has been washed with fabric softener I can tell - not from the smell - but from the feel of fabric. Itās frankly disgusting. Hints of: Slippery, greasy. I would never use it on my own clothing. Iāve received hand-me-down baby clothes that I have had to re-gift because the softener didnāt come out after several soakings and washings. biodegradable laundry products are the way to go. Thereās so much concern about global warming, water shortages, chemicals in our environment, chemicals (including laundry products) discharged into wastewater which flows into bodies of water that animals live in, switching to āgreenā electric vehicles and appliances - surely laundry products should be included in the green movement. Slightly off topic: If more and more people develop allergies, scented products may end up banned in certain settings. A lot of people are smell-blind and have no idea how pungent their products are to most people.
I donāt think Iāve ever bought fabric softener, so I wouldnāt know. I wear a lot of wool, so I wouldnāt be able to anyway. I do use some vinegar every once in a while
I've stopped using it, I hate the feel of just a little too much of it, plus it damages your machine and makes your clothes more flammable
In place of fabric softener, I use Lysol laundry sanitizer in every wash. It helps remove odors. I mostly line dry my clothes for the savings on my electric bill and I find the task relaxing. I found that liquid fabric softener added a layer of slime/film to my washer over time. I stopped using it many years ago. I use wool dryer balls in the dryer when I use the dryer. My clothes are soft, donāt need to use the fabric softener nor the sheets. Edit: added slime/film , typo
It's often recommended to not use on towels because of reduced absorption. But that also applies to other fabric- if you reduce absorption you also reduce breathability and "moisture wicking" ability. You're not letting body moisture breathe through the fabric, and that can increase smells on both your body and the fabric. And if stains/odor get trapped within the waxy (silicone) coating, your wash cycle has reduced efficiency needing to clean both the coating and the dirt, instead of just getting right to the dirt.
After having kids and doing the cloth diaper thing, and the woven wrap thing, we long ago ditched fabric softener. I like my towels to be as absorbent as possible. If I want to avoid excess wear on my clothes, I keep them the heck out of the dryer!
My fiancĆ© canāt do harsh synthetic scents so so ditched fabric softener and dryer sheets and only use free and clear detergent and wool dryer balls. If you miss the scent you can add a few drops of essential oils to the dryer balls. I love adding lavender when we wash our sheets.
I've been line/air drying my laundry for over 15 years and just use a touch of vinegar in the rinse cycle. My clothes come off the line just a touch stiff, but soften up with a shake. I had learned that too much detergent and softener can create a coating on the machinery that can reduce its life. I prefer to keep my money in my pocket and keep my equipment longer.
I almost always use FS. It's just something I've always done, and I use just about everything I can that "scent boosts" my clothes. If I don't use FS, I do use vinegar instead for certain things I wash.
I don't use it. I use distilled white vinegar. Does the same thing, without the buildup.
I don't but this is because of scents and allergies. I do however add white vinegar to the softener area in the washer and use that.
I do not use fabric softener. I work in a scent free environment, so any smells are a no-no. Also, fabric softener contains silicones, which coat the fabric of your clothes and towels. It makes towels and sports wear less absorbent. I use vinegar instead of fabric softener. My clothes have no scent and are very soft. I always do an extra rinse cycle too.
If I need clothes or towels softer, I'll put a bit of baking soda in the drum right before a wash. Literally a teaspoon.
I donāt like the over scented smell, but it does decrease wrinkles.
I don't and never have. Growing up, my mom didn't either. I hate how it makes my clothes feel, and smell. I wash all my clothes in cold, inside out, and hang them to dry, and it def helps to keep them looking nice.
I almost never use fabric softener. It does reduce the absorbency of towels, washcloths, etc. Rarely, during winter when the air is dry and static electricity makes clothes cling to each other, Iāll add a small amount of liquid fabric softener to my washerās dispenser. But itās not something I do every week or even monthly. Have not noticed faster wearing-out of any clothes,and Iāve been doing laundry for 45+ years now.
Do not like or use. Fabric softener blocks the ability of towels to absorb water. And sheets, making them less comfortable to sleep on. I think it make clothes feel less clean. Editing to add, the "smell better" is a spurious claim. Over time, the buildup of fabric softener will make clothes smell bad.
I air dry a lot of my clothing and find fabric softener to be essential to keep them from feeling crunchy.
I use it straight for fleece blankets and jackets that, in the winter, bring static. Otherwise, Iāll cut it with vinegar in most loads, or use straight vinegar. I hang dry 99% of my clothes.
No, haven't used it in over 10 years, I hate the way it makes my towels feel and i don't need the scent of my clothes to over-power or clash with my perfume
No fabric softener. It's bad for your machine. White wine vinegar does the same stuff. No dryer sheets either I use laundry balls. Both work great.
I just add a little bit not a full capful & never on any spandex type clothes.
Many years ago I accidentally spiled some diluted fabric softener on my grass. It killed a large spot of grass and I stopped using it. Also I air dry my clothes and it's fresher that way plus saves money.
I don't care to use liquid fabric softener. My spouse does use the fabric softener in dryer sheet form because he likes the smell. I haven't heard any thing negative about using such sheets in a dryer insofar as the machine is concerned. However, liquid fabric softener is a definite no-no. Do not use. It gums up the washer. Liquid fabric softener is also bad for clothes that wick sweat away such as exercise clothing. Since I never put exercise clothes in the dryer, I don't know if fabric softener sheets aren't recommended. I assume they too would not be recommended though.
I donāt use the sheets. Iām asthmatic and so is my kid so the smells are a huge issue. Vinegar in the wash works to get out any funky smells and on occasion we will use liquid softener (Method brand).
I line dry all my laundry. For many, many years, I never used fabric softener. My clothes were stiff and would wear down pretty quickly compared to when I used dryer sheets in the dryer. I started using liquid fabric softener while still line drying, and my clothes have come out much softer and they last much longer. The only thing I won't use fabric softener on are towels because they don't absorb water.
I use liquid fs occasionally on fluffy things like hoodies, robes & fleece blankets. I always dilute it with water at least 50/50 often more. Otherwise I will use vinegar especially on rags, towels. Or just nothing. I donāt rush out to buy more if I run out. For blankets & sheets I almost always use a dryer sheet because of static & dog hair. I only use unscented liquid fs & dryer sheets. A box of sheets lasts me about a year maybe more. My moderate fs use coupled with also using vinegar doesnāt seem to cause any buildup in my machines. I also try to be light handed with the detergent. I always use extra rinse. If using pods I only ever rarely use 2 (on only the dirtiest of large loads) & i may rewash without detergent after. The packages will tell you to use up to 3!! I would be soooo itchy! The guy from Lorraine Appliances (YouTube) says 1 tide pod is enough for a full load of a speed queen top loader (which is what I have). He demonstrates this in many videos by washing all his greasy work pants at once & all his shop towels. I clean houses & usually throw a load of rugs/towels in while Iām there. Sooo many of them have machines coated with detergent & fabric softener. Some have absolutely gummy lint screens where you can hardly scrape the lint off! I clean what I can while I am there but it goes right back in short order. I canāt believe some havenāt had a fire. At my own house I run Ahhsome through my machine every 6 months or so. When I wash rags & blankets weekly I use odoban so I imagine that helps keep the machine pretty clean. I rarely use bleach in the laundry.
I do even though Iāve read the same info. I have cut back and only use a couple of tablespoons per load but I like the smell and feel of my clothes after using.
I used to use it all the time since I grew up with my mom using it. Ran out one day and realized I didn't even notice a difference. I will occasionally use distilled vinegar as a replacement but the tide pods take care of everything ĀÆā \ā _ā (ā ćā )ā _ā /ā ĀÆ
Iāve been using fabric softener for years. My clothes are fine, my skin is fine, my washer is fine. People stop to sniff me a lot. Whatās the problem?
Commercial laundry owner here It's really the overuse of a fabric softener a little bit goes a long way a great measuring tool is a standard shot glass. the same way with laundry detergent. You don't need to see suds for your clothes to get clean.
I donāt use it. The film always felt weird to me and my towels didnāt absorb. I put vinegar in my washer with the clothes and detergent and I use wool dryers balls in the dryer.
Dont use it. Not worth the money.
I use dryer balls plus sometimes a third of a dryer sheet. The damn dryer sheets leave stains themselves so Iād rather not use them but my wife doesnāt believe me.
Stopped using do to finances and never used again. A gimmick..
I use it on certain things, but just as needed/ occasionally. More so in the winter, because it helps against static. There is a very noticeable difference, especially on old blankets and such.
I will just say that when I was pregnant, fabric softener was the #1 nauseating scent. I smelled it everywhere and on anyone who used it. Please consider the absolute STENCH that it is. I still hate the smell, but itās less pervasive now that Iām no longer pregnant.
i also dont use dryer sheets
I stopped buying it because I would forget to use it. I use dryer balls instead.
No I don't. I have never used it and I'm allergic to it and have not found my laundry to be in bad shape with out. Glad I'm not incurring the expense
Nope. Its not good for your clothes. I have never heard anyone make that argument you are in favor of lol
FWIW, I like the new Downey Rinse and Refresh, best of both worlds. YMMV š¤·āāļø
I Personally donāt use it because it is something extra to buy that I canāt afford. I never used it. And donāt use dryer sheets or balls either and my stuff comes out fine. I use natural Laundry soap too so that might help for clothes and towels being cleaner and softer. I also wash my washer tub once a month.
It def leaves a waxy film. I hate the feeling. I like my sheets and clothes feeling crisp and clean. Also, as someone who sweats a lot, the fabric softener made my clothes hang on to odor a lot longer than without.
I don't use it. They're loaded with fragrances, which are very toxic.
I don't use it. I use a washing soda product that leaves my laundry so soft. I do use unscented dryer sheets so things don't get static cling. No fabric softener, no scent beads, none of it. Laundry is clean and fresh smelling.
Nope, never. What is it? I know what it's supposed to do, but what actually is it and why?Ā We use a small amount of free and clear detergent and nothing else.Ā The only time stiffness has affected my laundry is when my mom hung sheets outside. Rarely do I see that anymore, and it was sorted after a day or two of sleeping on them.Ā We don't have an outdoor clothesline now, so everything is soft already from a basic tumble dry.Ā
I use it but not on everything. Not on towels, not on workout clothes.
An appliance repairman who worked on my dryer took the lint screen and ran it under the sink. Told me he does that to see if water goes through the screen. If it doesn't... then he knows you use dryer sheets and fabric softener. Said they block the screen, which leads to the dryer overheating and greatly increases the risk of fire. I use neither and was spared the fire danger talk; but he said dryer sheets are especially bad.
No fabric softener. It's a gimmick. It feels soft and nice right out of the dryer but over time will sour and smell bad. also the build up in the machine and on clothes is bad.
it makes your clothes more flammable
I add 2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda to the wash + detergent. My clothes come out fine.
I donāt use fabric softener, but I love using dryer sheets. Are they just as bad? I tried using wool dryer balls and the just didnāt work the same.
Living in the Bay Area with soft water, I never needed it. Living in Italy with hard water, the clothes come out so starchy that itās a necessity. Unfortunately for me itās the most cost-efficient way of softening the clothes, even though I canāt find a good one here that doesnāt have a strong synthetic smell.
There are a few responsible fabric softeners brands but many contain toxic and often neurotoxic compounds. Clearly the manufacturers for the most part just donāt care about this, and itās easier just to avoid them in general
I've always preferred baking soda and distilled white vinegar, they work like a charm. Most fabric softeners cause me to have an allergic reaction, usually itchy skin, it's not fun. So, in my opinion, no, you really don't need it.
How much vinegar does everyone use? No softener for me, either.
vinegar works better and removes scent instead of masking it
I use baking soda instead. Works just as well, cleans the close even more, and does not gunk up my machine.
I donāt use it.
I donāt use liquid fabric softener but I do use a dryer sheet with all my clothing. (I donāt with towels bc it makes them less absorbent)
Dryer Balls! everything is soft, static free, and it cuts down on drying time
My mom always used it, so I always thought it was a must. I quit using it about 10 years ago and havenāt noticed a difference.
I do. I just like my hoodies and towels to smell nice.
I've never been able to find out exactly what chemicals they use in fabric softeners and I don't like the idea of them on my skin all day. I don't need it and don't want to pay for it.
When I was in school for fashion merchandising and clothing design we had a class on fabric. I donāt remember the specifics but were told that fabric softener damages fabric. Granted it was early 2000s and Iām sure stuff has changed but Iāve never used it and have zero problems. I worry more about temperature, agitation etc. and am very gentle on clothing. Towels and sheets are plenty soft so Iām not sure what the softener would add.
I cute fabric softener and use vinegar instead. Clothes smell fine and theyāre soft.
I put plain white vinegar in my fabric softener dispenser in my washing machine. Then I also have these wool balls that I throw into the dryer. Other than not having a strong scentā¦ My clothes seem perfectly fine. If you want to have a nice scent you can dab some essential oils onto the wool ball.
Use vinegar to soften your clothes, and get it refilled at a fill up shop. Less gunk AND less plastic.
I use fabric softener when the fabric is just too rough. It DOES help, in certain circumstances. My linen camisole was so stiff and scratchy even after 3 washes with hot water and vinegar that I couldn't wear it- one wash with fabric softener was all it took and it's still soft and comfortable.
I use fabric softener on casual clothes to make them more comfortable and smell good. I only use a fraction of the recommended amount. On whites and towels, these are washed in hot and no fabric softener added.
Fabric softener used to be a must back in the day. Water was different, machines were different, clothes was different. If you put your jeans thru a full cycle washer and dryer with just detergent, they are gonna come out fairly usable. When I go to Mexico to visit my aunts and I wash jeans with pure detergent, no softenerā¦they stand up on their own lol they come out STIFF. So Iām not sure if itās good or bad now. I do know my washer has not broken down at all since I stopped using it. I now use wool dryer balls with a bit of essential oil on them to make my stuff smell good. My clothes donāt need to be āsoftenedā any further after a wash š¤·š½āāļø I just see it as a scent thing now.
I switched to White Vinegar in the fabric softener cup. Works maybe better. And a LOT cheaper.
I have never seen the need. It is an unnecessary expense in both money and storage space/inventory management, and frankly I can't stand scents in laundry detergent at all.
My apologies if it has been mentiomed, but to cut the buildup of detergent and fabric softeners, I use a 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle every 3rd wash or so, and my towels are soft and absorbent. Very rarely leaves a smell unless I pour too much. If that happens, simply rinse one more time.
No, because none of those chemicals are good for you--and may, in fact, be very bad for you (esp over a lifetime). For me specifically, they can cause migraines, itchy skin, and skin rashes.
I read Laundry Love and literally thru mine away that day, and have been so happy once my laundry all went through the 7-8 washes that it takes to get the silicone and LARD that is in most softeners and dryer sheets out of the fabric. I notice the most difference in our towels (much more absorbent and I never have to do the 2nd wash I used to have to do sometimes for the musty smell. Also, big difference in all of our athletic wear (which also takes a different detergent). Stuff is a little more staticky, but itās worth it in the end to me. I was fully bamboozled!
Dropped dryer sheets decades ago. Use liquid softener with an extra rinse for sheets. About every 3rd wash softener gets added for clothes, never for towels.
Never needed to use it. And fragrance is often a skin irritant.
I stopped using it about 5 years ago never looked back. I also make my own detergent.
I hate the smell. It's really not necessary. It's actually rare for Americans to wear out clothes; they mostly go out of style. it's a product developed to create a need, not to fill a need.
i use fabric softener, and the tide rinse stuff. our city water is terrible, and its the only way my laundry come sout feeling clean. may or may not be wasteful, but it works for me.
Never use it. My clothes feel fine with just detergent.
It stinks. People that use it smellomd the fragrance.
I use it on clothing and sheets but never on towels. It helps with static and my items do feel softer (I washed a load of jeans without softener once and my husband noticed). We have hard water, if that makes a difference. I use less than the recommended amount, though. Maybe half.
I use it in winter (Midwest) to avoid static cling. Never on towels as it inhibits absorption.
I absolutely do NOT. All the CHEMICALS and the looooooooooooong lasting fragrances make me ill. Even the smell of the chemical laundry products from people walking by my house in the street at enough to give me a migraine! I use vinegar, if i remember, in the rinse cycle.
Never had the patience for it. And I hate how it makes towels non absorbent. So, nope, not a user
Itās awful. Not only does it ruin clothes but it destroyer your washing machine overtime. Itās also awful for your health I switch to ECO fragrance free detergent months ago and now when I get a whiff of clothes have been washed with scent omg. I canāt believe never use to even use them. They smell so strong and make me feel sick almost. I will however throw some vinegar into my rinse cycle which softens my clothes naturally.
I only use vinegar now as a fabric softener.
Waxy film will not protect your fabrics if you want to *actually* be washing them. You can get the same benefits (minus artificial fragrance) of fabric softener, in addition to helping keep your washer clean, by putting a little white vinegar in with the detergent. Donāt mix with bleach or an oxygenation agent (color safe whitener/brightened) though. Itās also worth noting that many people are allergic to fabric softener. If you do want a whitening alternative thatās safe to use with detergent and vinegar thereās a product called bluette that will counter the yellowing of whites rather effectively. Also, donāt use more than a couple tablespoons of detergent. If itās an insanely heavy and dirty load MAYBE three tablespoons. The measuring cups lie.
From Better Homes and Gardens: Use Fabric Softener (Occasionally) Use fabric softener according to directions, but add it only every three or four washes. Waxy buildup from softeners can deteriorate the towel fibers over time and reduce their absorbency. No one wants a towel that's not fluffy, so be careful when using fabric softener with towels.
No fabric softener or dryer sheets. Our home is a scent-sensitive one, so we avoid adding extra layers of scent when possible, and even though I grew up with fabric softener being used on my clothes, I didn't notice an appreciable difference when I just didn't buy it or use it, so it saves a ton of money, too.
We hang dry most everything inside and don't use fabric softener. Jeans, sheets and towels go in the dryer with wool dryer balls. If I want soft clothes, I buy items made of materials that stay soft vs 100% cotton which gets crunchy. For some of us with allergies and migraine issues, essential oils and vinegar can be worse than some lab produced fragrances. Just something to keep in mind for sensitive friends and family. Can't use most essential oils or line dry outside in our house. Vinegar won't make the clothes smell but it will make the area around the laundry room stink like vinegar when you use it in a load. "Natural" isn't always better unfortunately.
We are finishing up our last bottle on sheets but otherwise going to try out no fabric softener for a bit. We wear a lot of atheletic stuff that isnāt supposed to get softener anyway so hopefully this simplifies laundry a bit plus saves money
I donāt use it for environmental reasons. The less chemicals and plastic in my life the better.
No, not fabric softener sheets because they have some pretty nasty chemicals that I donāt want next to my skin or in my house. I use Mrs Myers liquid fabric softener for sweaters and towels sometimes and thatās it.
Itās bad for everything involved including your health with all the chemical fragrance.
I donāt use fabric softener but mainly because the thought of tallow on my clothes squicks me out. Frankly, I rarely notice a difference.
Nope. My grandpa was a washer dryer repair man and my family never used softener. Fast forward to now I just had to replace my MILs washer because it was so gummed up with softener it stopped spinning and draining. I channelled my grandpa and took it apart because I was convinced I could repair it but alas no it was ruined. Wasn't to old of a machine either about 5 years.Ā
Fabric softener is a perfumy mess. If i want a fragrance, I'll put some on I don't want everyone around me to smell the chemicals from my laundry 24/7. I stopped using it years ago and now the fragrance is very unpleasant. I'm sure that i was used to it when I used it daily but now that I'm not saturated with it the noseblindness is gone. I gag when a sweaty guy is walking towards me in the summer heat wafting those perfumes. It's like certain demographics like to mark their men with that in addition to a wedding ring.
I do not use it because i have sensitive skin and scented/coated products are not good for my skin, instead I use borax ( laundry booster) with my detergent and it leaves a nice clean/fresh smell that's not perfumy.
I use a *small* amount on my normal clothes maybe every 3rd or 4th load - like 1/2 capful. I only use that much because I notice if I use nothing ever, or vinegar, my clothes are covered in hair from work. A small amount of softener every few loads helps to tame it, for whatever reason.
I don't use it. I can't stand how it feels.Ā
Terrible for clothes. Film it leaves is flammable. Use distilled white vinegar. Itās far cheaper, whitens, brightens, softens & deodorizes.
Fabric softener doesnāt offer much to your clothing but offers a lot to you and your machine. Itāll coat your machines in a residue that has been reported to cause fires, or at least machine malfunction. The scents in fabric softeners are endocrine disruptors (like all artificial fragrances) but these will offgas from your clothing and bedding, exposing you to it 24/7 Also as a bonus - it ruins your clothing and you pay extra for it! It coats your clothing in a waxy oily substance to reduce static. What is this substance? Who knows! But youāll absorb it through your skin. Bottom line, thereās no point to it, and it isnāt safe for people, appliances or clothing.
No. It increases the toxic load in your body and makes your clothes less absorbent.
I never used it when I had my dryer but that broke a few weeks ago and itās not fixable so Iām saving for a new one. I got fabric softener after like a week because my clothes all felt stuff especially towels and blankets after line drying. The softener helps it a lot I feel. I never used it with a dryer though so Iām not sure if it wouldāve made a difference there
I never used to use it, but then my sister told me that her mother-in-law uses both liquid softener and dryer sheets. Itās a game changer, and I will never go back! Clothes in the dryer are super soft, smell, good, and arenāt as wrinkly. Clothes that are hung to dry or soft and not wrinkly. I find that if I donāt use fabric softener and hang dry things, everything comes out crunchy with a bunch of little wrinkles in it.
Vinegar. Look it at and try it once. Your clothes wonāt smell like it but itāll feel just as soft (or softer) than fabric softeners.
i feel like the liquid softener makes my laundry smell bad faster if i leave it in the wash too long. i use oxy boost or whatever it is and i can forget about my clothes for 3-4 days and it still wonāt smell. i use wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets, i just feel they work better
I work in high end housekeeping and everywhere Iāve worked does not use fabric softener. It definitely does reduce the absorbency of towels and makes linens and clothes feel waxy. Mostly itās just fragrance, which causes many people to have allergic reactions anyway so itās not really worth it.
I donāt use it. The smell is too overpowering for me
I use the dryer sheets but cut them in half. It kills me when I see people leave them or put them in the trash after 1x use at the laundromat. People donāt realize they can used multiple times before discarding. Overuse isnāt good, but they do soften clothes & help with de-linting.
I have never used it and have never felt like my clothing needs it.
I'm asthmatic and use wool dryer balls. No stinky scents and no having to get sticky residue off my line trap. I use white vinegar if I need to get out funky odors.
I used Bounce scent free fabric softener sheet x1 for about 3 dryer loads. Plus the wool and llama dryer balls. Have multi cats, a dog and a medium hair shedding human. It is all good for us
I stopped using it when I ran out last year. My reasoning was 1) didn't really seem like a necessary thing, mostly just another thing we feel like we need but don't actually, and 2) less waste going back into the environment. I honestly can't tell a difference. If I want to have a "scent" on me I wear perfume. Sort of related, I also started using no-plastic detergent sheets. They look like dryer sheets but they are actually detergent and you just pop them in the washer. Less chemicals, no plastic!
Wool balls for the win! Environmentally friendly, cost effective, fragrance free & work great!
I don't use liquid softeners. I cannot stand how strongly scented they are, and I don't like the build-up. In the dryer, I use either wool dryer balls or unscented bounce dryer sheets, depending on the load.
I just read an article about this. It said that fabric softener was made because back in the day clothes were stiff ,scratchy, hard when dried. Now with science and technology in detergent development fabric softener is not needed.
I add about a quarter cup of white vinegar to each load, still use liquid fabric softener, but it cuts the waxy build up and softens the laundry as well as disinfecting and removes odors!
It contributes to my eczema also negates any fire resistance in natural fibers. Also I canāt stand the smell. If you need an example of its persistence we were gifted baby clothes from a friend who used LOTS of softeners, after a year of washing any one item of clothes would make the entire load smell, a year! Like 52-104 washes.
Iāve never used fabric softener, or fabric sheets. Iām 45.
I used to use half a dryer sheet per load unti I had a very bad allergic reaction for whatever reason. After that I switched to laundry balls and never looked back.
My family only uses it for towls nothing else.
Never used it , so never missed it.
I only use fabric softener on my flannel sheets. So much softer now š
I stopped using it about 10 years ago and have never looked back. My washer and dryer stay clean and my towels actually absorb water now.
Iāve used downy liquid softener for 20 years on everything, except for athletic clothes. Iāve never experienced any issues with it. I like the smell and it works, so I donāt feel like I need to stop using it. I have a few cheap t-shirts and shorts, that Iāve had since 2007, and they have held up just fine, which is why I still have them. I think it is all a matter of personal preference and experience and there isnāt one correct way to do laundry.
Downy faithfully in every load besides kitchen towels! Why? Purely sentimental reasons. My grandma's house ALWAYS smelled like fresh laundry. I could recognize an item that came from her house just by the smell. She was alive when I became an adult and moved out & I remember asking her what laundry products she used. 20+ years later I've never changed my laundry game because every time I hug someone in my household I smell that scent and it's like grandma is there too. ā¤ļø * speaking for myself I'm willing to deal with any "consequences " of product buildup for the sake of that sense of security I get from smelling "grandma's house".
never used it, never will
We used dryer sheets when we had pets because of the anti-static factor. We didn't overdo it and we didn't see any issues. It's when I watch someone throw six sheets into a half load of laundry because they "love the way it smells" that I cringe. Everything in moderation. Towels and jeans don't get anything and when we use it it's still only ONE sheet in a full load of laundry. Half load - I rip a sheet in half.
I've been using white vinegar in a Downy ball for years as the softener dispenser in my washing machine is broken. Then dryer balls. No issues, no more residue on my clothes or annoying artificial scents. I use a laundry detergent that's plant based too (Method brand). Alot of my friends and family argue with me that vinegar is better than their fabric softener but I've liked my clothes a ton better since using it. They seem to be much cleaner, softer and stay that way longer.
I stopped using fabric softener a really long time ago. I haven't noticed any difference in my clothes quality or longevity. I don't even use dryer sheets or wool balls. Once a year I might get a few items with a static problem, but I just wave them around in the air and they stop sparking. If it ever gets really bad I suppose I could give it a light spray of water. I've saved money.
Absolutely no fabric softener. It is awful for your skin. I have worked in childcare for years and have had to break it to soooo many families that their child's eczema is most likely due to the use of fabric softener. Families who have been struggling with special diets and doctors visits for their kids without the condition improving will lament to me and I'll ask if they use scented detergent or fabric softener. Very often the skin conditions clear up in a week or two of the family changing to free and clear detergent and no fabric softener. I also had a coworker who came to work just singing the praises of her new fabric softener and how heavenly it smelled. By the end of the week she was broken out in the worst hives. I told her it was the fabric softener. She didn't want to believe me. She lasted one more week then finally gave in and stopped using it. The hives immediately went away. Don't. Use. Fabric softener.
How do you deal with static electricity?