kenmore1978
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2004
- Messages
- 2,119
So what is everybody's thoughts on the old waxy type softeners vs the new type softeners? Does one seem to work better than the other? And how about washer liquid vs dryer sheets?
Fabric softener, new vs old
- Thread starter kenmore1978
- Start date
Help Support :
Not really a huge fan of FS to begin with, but do like Ecover's which is one of the "new" types.
Since I line dry most if not all items, a bit of FS does help keep towels from drying too stiff and the newer cationic fabric softener formulas do not interfere with absorbancy the way the waxy/oily older fromulas did.
Cationic surfactants are really just a type of detergent, which is why rinse water sometimes foams when using these fabric softeners. Cationic fabric softeners are also good for silk and wool fibers as they add back some of the natural hand after laundering.
Launderess
Since I line dry most if not all items, a bit of FS does help keep towels from drying too stiff and the newer cationic fabric softener formulas do not interfere with absorbancy the way the waxy/oily older fromulas did.
Cationic surfactants are really just a type of detergent, which is why rinse water sometimes foams when using these fabric softeners. Cationic fabric softeners are also good for silk and wool fibers as they add back some of the natural hand after laundering.
Launderess
Not a fan of dryer sheets!
During some of my college years, I was using the machines in the dorm, and almost everyone else used dryer sheets. Not being a fan of pranks or loss, I would wait till I had several loads, grab my homework, and go down for an evening of laundry. I was there to add the rinse liquid. I didn't want everything softened, but the dryers were so gunked up with dryer sheets. You could feel it on the drums. Of course, this was a coin op laundry room used by close to 200 people. At that time, GE equipped.
Dryer sheets are better, I think, at static prevention, and rinse liquids to me seem much better at softening.
To me, the only application for dryer sheets is if the washer lacks a softener dispenser. And even then, P & G still, I think, sells the Downy ball.
Putting diluted softener in a dispenser takes no more time than futzing with those slimy dryer sheets.
Also, at least with most Bounce varieties, the horrible cheap perfume lingers and lingers and lingers. At least with Downy, it's gone by the next day.
I use the Downy refill. The new softeners are more than I want to spend.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
During some of my college years, I was using the machines in the dorm, and almost everyone else used dryer sheets. Not being a fan of pranks or loss, I would wait till I had several loads, grab my homework, and go down for an evening of laundry. I was there to add the rinse liquid. I didn't want everything softened, but the dryers were so gunked up with dryer sheets. You could feel it on the drums. Of course, this was a coin op laundry room used by close to 200 people. At that time, GE equipped.
Dryer sheets are better, I think, at static prevention, and rinse liquids to me seem much better at softening.
To me, the only application for dryer sheets is if the washer lacks a softener dispenser. And even then, P & G still, I think, sells the Downy ball.
Putting diluted softener in a dispenser takes no more time than futzing with those slimy dryer sheets.
Also, at least with most Bounce varieties, the horrible cheap perfume lingers and lingers and lingers. At least with Downy, it's gone by the next day.
I use the Downy refill. The new softeners are more than I want to spend.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
deeptub
Member
I do like April Fresh Downy, though I use probably half as much as they suggest. As far as dryer sheets vs. liquid goes, I've read that children's clothing should never be treated with liquid FS because it increases the flammability of the fabric, whereas a dryer sheet does not. I also remember reading (I think in Popular Mechanics or something like that) that prolonged use of dryer sheets could create a film over moisture sensors to the point where the machine would shut down early (the machine in question was an electronic control Maytag Halo-of-Heat).
T.
T.
For new fangled, I kinda like the Method softeners from Target. But Final Touch is still my favorite, altho' it's just not the same as it used to be...
doityrselfguy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2004
- Messages
- 92
I prefer liquid FS because it mixes into the load evenly. I used to use dryer sheets, but found that at times, they get stuck in a shirt sleeve and do not circulate.
Once in a while, the top brands such as Downy are OK. I use the less expensive, non-concentrated brands more frequently because they have a mild scent, and don't get sludgy. I'm talking about the $2 gallon types on the bottom shelf that are usually pink or light blue. They still do the job - improving ironing, dissolving any residual suds in the rinse water, and providing acceptable static control.
Pete
Once in a while, the top brands such as Downy are OK. I use the less expensive, non-concentrated brands more frequently because they have a mild scent, and don't get sludgy. I'm talking about the $2 gallon types on the bottom shelf that are usually pink or light blue. They still do the job - improving ironing, dissolving any residual suds in the rinse water, and providing acceptable static control.
Pete
kenmore1978
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2004
- Messages
- 2,119
Dryer sheet film
Yes, I've heard that, too, about a film getting on the moisture sensors of automatic dryers. I usually use liquid, with dryer sheets as a "backup" if I forget to put softener in washer or run out of the liquid. As for children's clothes, I thought it was taboo to use ANY kind of softener, liquid or sheets, because of the increased flammability issue.
Yes, I've heard that, too, about a film getting on the moisture sensors of automatic dryers. I usually use liquid, with dryer sheets as a "backup" if I forget to put softener in washer or run out of the liquid. As for children's clothes, I thought it was taboo to use ANY kind of softener, liquid or sheets, because of the increased flammability issue.
zipdang
Well-known member
Does anyone remember that stick-on patch from the '70s and '80s that stuck to the inside of the dryer? It was supposed to be good for a month or so. Didn't do much for softening, but it smelled good. What was that darn thing called?
Wasn't it Cling free? or something to that effect. They also had a aerosol spray that you spray onto the dryer drum. Well when that started coating the electronic sensors and the bimetal thermos, they went to a patch that you stuck onto one of the dryer drum baffles. And today we have dryer sheets still mucking up the lint screen.
zipdang
Well-known member
Was that stick on thingie called Free 'N Soft? Something like that. Maybe.
Mrs. Meyers fabric softener
Has anyone out there ever used Mrs.Meyers Products? Gregm brought me a bottle of the Mrs. Meyers brand fabric softener last summer while he was visiting. I never have been a fan of f/s. However this stuff smells great,works great,and is all natural to boot. It also comes in a 1950's retro looking bottle. It seems to be made for my 56 Whirlpool. One small capfull in the rinse water zaps away any leftover suds,preventing that nasty Surgilator suds lock.
I guess they make laundry detergent also.Has anyone ever tried it?
Thanks,
Rick
Has anyone out there ever used Mrs.Meyers Products? Gregm brought me a bottle of the Mrs. Meyers brand fabric softener last summer while he was visiting. I never have been a fan of f/s. However this stuff smells great,works great,and is all natural to boot. It also comes in a 1950's retro looking bottle. It seems to be made for my 56 Whirlpool. One small capfull in the rinse water zaps away any leftover suds,preventing that nasty Surgilator suds lock.
I guess they make laundry detergent also.Has anyone ever tried it?
Thanks,
Rick
Have you priced
Mrs. Meyer's products?
The have cool packaging, and appealing scents, and I guess (haven't tried any) work well, but geeze, around here they cost an arm, a leg, and some other anatomical parts. She makes Tide and Downy look like Xtra and Nice N' Fluffy!
Lawrence/Maytagbear
Mrs. Meyer's products?
The have cool packaging, and appealing scents, and I guess (haven't tried any) work well, but geeze, around here they cost an arm, a leg, and some other anatomical parts. She makes Tide and Downy look like Xtra and Nice N' Fluffy!
Lawrence/Maytagbear
Too much ain't good
I have known people who use way too much fs in the wash and wind up with towels that won't absorb water when you're drying off with them. I know some of you won't believe me but it's true. Fablic softener used too frequently or excessively tends to slick up everything! We dry all clothes in the dryer and don't need quite so much as a line dryer does. If it's in your routine then I'm sure you will continue to use it, but I broke the habit years ago. Oh it smells nice on the clothes, but a good detergent will too!
I have known people who use way too much fs in the wash and wind up with towels that won't absorb water when you're drying off with them. I know some of you won't believe me but it's true. Fablic softener used too frequently or excessively tends to slick up everything! We dry all clothes in the dryer and don't need quite so much as a line dryer does. If it's in your routine then I'm sure you will continue to use it, but I broke the habit years ago. Oh it smells nice on the clothes, but a good detergent will too!
kenmore1978
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2004
- Messages
- 2,119
Asorbency
I don't use FS on towels, only on clothes, especially synthetic stuff that would normally would have enough static to make the clothes attack you when the dryer door is opened.
I don't use FS on towels, only on clothes, especially synthetic stuff that would normally would have enough static to make the clothes attack you when the dryer door is opened.
laundramatt
New member
What is that
What is the most perfumy fabric softener, whether washer or dryer? Sometimes when I am near a house I will smell it coming from a dryer vent, and I love the smell. Anyone know what fabric softener that might be?
What is the most perfumy fabric softener, whether washer or dryer? Sometimes when I am near a house I will smell it coming from a dryer vent, and I love the smell. Anyone know what fabric softener that might be?
