I don't use softeners-Don't need them.Yes,they smell TOO much and their ingredients make me nervous.SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!
Fabric Softener Sales Plunge - Millennials Don't Know What It Is For
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toploader55
Well-known member
"I don't use softeners-Don't need them.Yes,they smell TOO much and their ingredients make me nervous"
Perfect Rex.
Perfect Rex.
I have started using a small amount of fabric softener now that I am using the clean and clear liquid detergents. Whatever they have eliminated out of them is leaving the finished laundry harder and stiffer. More wrinkles and a lot more static out of the dryer. Where does one find a Downy ball now? I have one top loader at the beach without a dispenser. Been using 1/2 of a dryer sheet. It helps but not as much as f/s.
Jon
Jon
Downy Ball
Are all over eBay.
Are all over eBay.
I remember Fab and Bold 3 having fabric softener built into them. And they didn't suds up too much. Both of them were on the recommended detergent list (20 years ago)that's still stuck to the top of my Asko. Whatever happened to those formulations?
mich
Well-known member
re - Downy Ball.
Target sells them for like $2.49. Depending on your area, Kroger might sell them as well.
Target sells them for like $2.49. Depending on your area, Kroger might sell them as well.
X-er by Birth, trapped in the Womb, in long-making...
Well, it would help if my washer had a fab. soft. dispenser on my washer--that is, I would help sales a little, but I've seen bottles of Downey etc. really skyrocket unaffordable high--so call it an economic factor among current & past generations' budgets...
-- Dave
Well, it would help if my washer had a fab. soft. dispenser on my washer--that is, I would help sales a little, but I've seen bottles of Downey etc. really skyrocket unaffordable high--so call it an economic factor among current & past generations' budgets...
-- Dave
I was looking at the various advertisements trying to get this target group to use FS. Every one of the ads whereby someone was using the softener stated to put a dryer sheet in the dryer with the washed load (on top of the FSer). Good grief!!!
Dave, you have a KM toploader, right? You can order an agitator-mounted softener dispenser to fit, just have to identify which of the several types is right for it.
The highly-scented softeners on the market nowadays are to cover the smutz-odor left from cold washing.
warmsecondrinse
Well-known member
I'll cede to the superior knowledge of most members here, but I can't see how one could avoid more wear on fabric in HE TL's because there's so little water.
Dadoes: Agree 100% about the smutz odor from cold washing. IIRC, there was a thread a few years back on how skin oil and oils in general aren't very eco-conscious and rudely insist on solidifying at "cold wash" temps.
In my teen years I had out-of-control oily skin. The polyester of the time and ANY fabric washed with fabric softener made clothes feel outright slimy on my skin. GROSS! At age 16 I was very happy to iron in order to have 100% cotton clothes
As a result of another thread a couple years ago, I now use ammonia instead of bleach and vinegar instead of fabric softener. My clothes come out clean and soft. I should point out that most of my 'dirt' is sweat and skin oil.
Dadoes: Agree 100% about the smutz odor from cold washing. IIRC, there was a thread a few years back on how skin oil and oils in general aren't very eco-conscious and rudely insist on solidifying at "cold wash" temps.
In my teen years I had out-of-control oily skin. The polyester of the time and ANY fabric washed with fabric softener made clothes feel outright slimy on my skin. GROSS! At age 16 I was very happy to iron in order to have 100% cotton clothes
As a result of another thread a couple years ago, I now use ammonia instead of bleach and vinegar instead of fabric softener. My clothes come out clean and soft. I should point out that most of my 'dirt' is sweat and skin oil.
Fleece Sheets
Tom, the sheets are Sheex brand 100% polyester fleece. They were on clearance at BB&B, and with an additional 20% off coupon, I got a Cal King set for less than $50.
One thing I've noticed is that each time they're put through the dryer, they leave a thick - though not dense -- layer of lint, so much that some of it tries to escape past the screen. With the amount of laundering these sheets will experience over the winter, I'm not sure how long they may last, and I'll be vacuuming the dryer's lint screen housing a lot more often.
Tom, the sheets are Sheex brand 100% polyester fleece. They were on clearance at BB&B, and with an additional 20% off coupon, I got a Cal King set for less than $50.
One thing I've noticed is that each time they're put through the dryer, they leave a thick - though not dense -- layer of lint, so much that some of it tries to escape past the screen. With the amount of laundering these sheets will experience over the winter, I'm not sure how long they may last, and I'll be vacuuming the dryer's lint screen housing a lot more often.
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lordkenmore
Well-known member
P&G has also brought this upon themselves by making IIRC a version of Tide that includes "a touch of Downy." Presumably, that formula will leave clothes softer.
There is a comment above about softener dispensers. One advantage of old fashioned top load machines is that one can pause it mid cycle without the machine kicking up a fuss. Thus, one can add softener at the start of the rinse cycle. Many "normal people" would find this inconvenient, but it's not a big deal for me. Indeed, I usually at least make a quick check to make sure the rinse is going well (and see if it looks like 2nd rinse is called for).
There is a comment above about softener dispensers. One advantage of old fashioned top load machines is that one can pause it mid cycle without the machine kicking up a fuss. Thus, one can add softener at the start of the rinse cycle. Many "normal people" would find this inconvenient, but it's not a big deal for me. Indeed, I usually at least make a quick check to make sure the rinse is going well (and see if it looks like 2nd rinse is called for).
Not just TL HE washers, but all HE washers
Less water in the washer allows the fabrics to abrade each other as they move past each other because the cushioning and lubricating effects as well as the slight suspension the water provides are all lessened . Longer agitation times would also contribute to this.
More highly perfumed laundry products are designed to appeal to the burgeoning Hispanic population because highly perfumed laundry products are part of their culture. Clean laundry, to them, is supposed to smell like there was a floral explosion in the washer.
Less water in the washer allows the fabrics to abrade each other as they move past each other because the cushioning and lubricating effects as well as the slight suspension the water provides are all lessened . Longer agitation times would also contribute to this.
More highly perfumed laundry products are designed to appeal to the burgeoning Hispanic population because highly perfumed laundry products are part of their culture. Clean laundry, to them, is supposed to smell like there was a floral explosion in the washer.
Picked up a Downy ball last week in Target for a whopping $1.37. Tried it this week and it works great. Funny never had one of these before. All machines I have had previously had a f/s dispenser.
Jon
Jon
Pg will read this and send me a Christmas card next year.
Am I probably the only person in the US that loves Fabric Softener.
My laundry room should have 3 taps... Hot, cold and FS.
I can notice my husband desperate when i say i need to buy more FS... (Huge bottle of Downy (the blue or the pink one) or Final Touch.
The cats say "OMG that bitch is using FS again... I need my vet NOW!
You know... Los Angeles has to know I'm doing laundry. Actually I've heard that FEMA issues a waxy fruity wind alert even in Kern County. LOL
The final rinse drain must be blueish, otherwise i repeat the rinse with twice the softener.
But one thing i'm really sure. My clothes are great and they feel really soft. My bath towels are almost waterproof (who cares if they don't dry? they're soft!)
And well, I'll keep tossing 3 caps of FS in each load in the Magic Chef. If i'm using the Super Compact Automatic Washer i use only 1 or 1.5 cap. In rare occasions i use the Wonderwash and only 1 capful of downy.
And as soon as I have a tumble dryer, You can be sure i'll toss 5 or 6 dryer sheets on each load (Considering a Magic Chef portable dryer.)
My husband's sinus hate me.
Am I probably the only person in the US that loves Fabric Softener.
My laundry room should have 3 taps... Hot, cold and FS.
I can notice my husband desperate when i say i need to buy more FS... (Huge bottle of Downy (the blue or the pink one) or Final Touch.
The cats say "OMG that bitch is using FS again... I need my vet NOW!
You know... Los Angeles has to know I'm doing laundry. Actually I've heard that FEMA issues a waxy fruity wind alert even in Kern County. LOL
The final rinse drain must be blueish, otherwise i repeat the rinse with twice the softener.
But one thing i'm really sure. My clothes are great and they feel really soft. My bath towels are almost waterproof (who cares if they don't dry? they're soft!)
And well, I'll keep tossing 3 caps of FS in each load in the Magic Chef. If i'm using the Super Compact Automatic Washer i use only 1 or 1.5 cap. In rare occasions i use the Wonderwash and only 1 capful of downy.
And as soon as I have a tumble dryer, You can be sure i'll toss 5 or 6 dryer sheets on each load (Considering a Magic Chef portable dryer.)
My husband's sinus hate me.
Fabric Softener
The laundry program at my hotel includes the use of Fabric Softener. I actually really like this product compared to most residential softeners. It softens without leaving the linens feeling overly done or "slimy" and it has a very light scent, just enough to tell its there. It also does a good job of killing any suds left over by the final rinse.
I find that most softeners for home have scents that are way to strong and are just vile. I sometimes use a bit of Downy, but I only use maybe a tablespoon or so in my Maxima. Just enough to give them a bit of softness but not enough to smell like a tropical rainforest or whatever for a week.
Cameron
The laundry program at my hotel includes the use of Fabric Softener. I actually really like this product compared to most residential softeners. It softens without leaving the linens feeling overly done or "slimy" and it has a very light scent, just enough to tell its there. It also does a good job of killing any suds left over by the final rinse.
I find that most softeners for home have scents that are way to strong and are just vile. I sometimes use a bit of Downy, but I only use maybe a tablespoon or so in my Maxima. Just enough to give them a bit of softness but not enough to smell like a tropical rainforest or whatever for a week.
Cameron
I feel sorry for your mate, Tomás.
My neighbors on one side always seem to use dryer sheets (I can tell from the aroma). Their dryer vents from their garage wall, directly towards the fence. On the other side of the fence is my enclosed patio with louvered low windows, which have an air gap (for ventilation I guess) top and bottom. In any case, I can always tell when they are drying laundry. That smell. Hate it.
Me, I stopped using fabric softener some years ago. For soft towels, I've found a mild liquid detergent is good enough. Although lately I've started adding an ounce or so of white distilled vinegar to the FS compartment. Seems to result in softer towels. And every once in a while, I'll use real grated natural soap (Mexican) and they feel even softer.
I didn't like the way FS encouraged mold to grow in the dispenser, a major reason for stopping its use.
My neighbors on one side always seem to use dryer sheets (I can tell from the aroma). Their dryer vents from their garage wall, directly towards the fence. On the other side of the fence is my enclosed patio with louvered low windows, which have an air gap (for ventilation I guess) top and bottom. In any case, I can always tell when they are drying laundry. That smell. Hate it.
Me, I stopped using fabric softener some years ago. For soft towels, I've found a mild liquid detergent is good enough. Although lately I've started adding an ounce or so of white distilled vinegar to the FS compartment. Seems to result in softer towels. And every once in a while, I'll use real grated natural soap (Mexican) and they feel even softer.
I didn't like the way FS encouraged mold to grow in the dispenser, a major reason for stopping its use.
I've been subjected to fabric softner since day 1 of my life and after 19 years, I'm not allergic to it.
We've been using the same softner (some blue Lenor) for about 20 years, and then switched to Vernel when I was about 10 years old.
We also started using dryer sheets around that time, but therefor didn't use softner on dryer loads.
Now that I'm doing my laundry my self and am drying everything, I switch on and off. Sometimes I use softner, sometimes not. Just depends on mood. I find that the Vernel leaves loads less wrinkeled and the smell (something along the lines of april freshness) isn't to bad.
And with our heatpump dryer, dryer sheets don't do much. The smell was way more prominent in the more intense heat and steam of the previous condenser dryers.
And sure, softner stays on clothing. But so does rinse aid in the DW. Have we all been poisend yet? No. If there would be some kind of intense medical danger, it wouldn't be on the market vor several decades.
We've been using the same softner (some blue Lenor) for about 20 years, and then switched to Vernel when I was about 10 years old.
We also started using dryer sheets around that time, but therefor didn't use softner on dryer loads.
Now that I'm doing my laundry my self and am drying everything, I switch on and off. Sometimes I use softner, sometimes not. Just depends on mood. I find that the Vernel leaves loads less wrinkeled and the smell (something along the lines of april freshness) isn't to bad.
And with our heatpump dryer, dryer sheets don't do much. The smell was way more prominent in the more intense heat and steam of the previous condenser dryers.
And sure, softner stays on clothing. But so does rinse aid in the DW. Have we all been poisend yet? No. If there would be some kind of intense medical danger, it wouldn't be on the market vor several decades.
fabric softener
I still use fabric softener in the final deep rinse. It has always worked for me and still does. I found that dryer sheets don't work as well as fabric softener.[this post was last edited: 7/12/2023-19:05]
I still use fabric softener in the final deep rinse. It has always worked for me and still does. I found that dryer sheets don't work as well as fabric softener.[this post was last edited: 7/12/2023-19:05]
