All Free & Clear fabric softener

[lordkenmore]

Has anyone used this?

I've been curious about it. Supposedly designed with sensitive skin in mind. I have skin issues, and tend to avoid softeners because I figure that the softener residue on clean laundry is probably not the best thing to have against one's sensitive skin. But I'm wondering about All because:

A) They have apparently made it with sensitive skin in mind.

B) They even say some study showed that softener can help sensitive skin. (Of course, you can probably find studies that say many things. In this case, I speculate that if softener does help, it might be because the fabric is softer, and will chaff less. Or perhaps it helps kill detergent residue.)

C) A big selling point: line drying season is coming, and softener might help make towels less board-like.

I have a sampler pack I can try that came with a detergent sample, and I might try this just to see...

 

[yogitunes]

I use this, mainly for my mother's clothing, as she does break out from regular detergents and softeners........

not bad stuff, although I do water it down 50/50 in a separate bottle.....and a shot glass dose is all that is needed....

of course best too, is to use a free and clear detergent as well.....

softener or not, when I hang clothes out, especially after a cold rinse, everything seems stiff and scratchy......

I find it best to place the load in the dryer for 10 minutes to warm them up, and then hang out......a world of difference when they are done....give it a try

 

[lordkenmore]

I mostly use unscented detergent these days. I have not noticed huge skin problems when using scented. But I have gotten tired of how overwhelming the scents often are.

I'll have to try that dryer trick when line drying season hits.

 

[gusherb]

Not a fan of the stuff. Found it to suds way too easily and no enzymes (which could be a good thing if you're sensitive to that). But I didn't really think it was that great for getting stains or odor out.
I'm currently using Tide Ultra Stain Release free, and unscented Tide powder.

 

[askolover]

We use it.  I got some when I first bought the new Persil packs so the scent wouldn't clash with the Gain softener we were using.  We stuck with the All.  Happy with it.  To me it does make the towels too soft just as Gain does...but I like scratchy towels because they dry me off much better.  I hate for a towel to just smear water.  I also like to dilute my softener half with water.  Lately using Suavitel just on towels...not as fluffy and absorb better.

 

[frigilux]

A timely thread, Lord Kenmore. I've begun using fabric softener on certain loads (dress shirts; bedding) for the first time in six years. No particular reason, really.

Anyway, I picked up a bottle of Downy April Fresh and immediately understood the many complaints about it. The strong, off-putting scent (despite parsimonious dosing) clashed with Aqua di Gio on dress shirts and was headache-inducing on bed linens.

Went to the grocery store a couple of hours ago (yes, it's the middle of the night here on the Minnesota prairie) to pick up a bottle of Downy Free & Gentle. Just put the laundered linens back on the bed. They're comfy soft and scentless. Perfect! Will wash a large load of dress shirts later today.

Final analysis: Downy Free & Gentle is thinner than its April Fresh counterpart, but does the job it's supposed to. Frankly, the thinner formula will probably keep the dispenser residue-free. If All's 'free' formula doesn't satisfy, audition the Downy version.