Fabric Softener Sales Plunge - Millennials Don't Know What It Is For

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

launderess

launderess

Well-known member
Platinum Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2004
Messages
20,634
Location
Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage
Consumers are already overcome by fragrances that they are led to believe means "clean". I do use a little sometimes, a half-dose.

It can really get stanky if the detergent and fabric softener scents clash, which is most of the time. Then there is the issue of feeding the cooties lurking in the unseen recesses of the machine, especially front-loaders. Then there is the issue of needing a "deep-rinse" in a Top-Loader to distribute the stuff. Since a lot of the new machines just do a little spritz, people maybe don't get very good results or even have spotted clothing due to lack of water. Ridiculous.

I tend to use it more in the winter to combat static electricity, however it seems only the Downey Original is very effective at it. Back in the day I loved the fragrance in Final Touch. It does not have the same fragrance today.
 
It's not entirely kids... I have used FS, but not often. I guess I feel that it's just an added expense, and I have concerns about a product that, by design, will leave a chemical residue on something resting against my skin.

 

I don't recall my mother using the stuff much, either.

 
 
never use it now

Mom wasn't big on it although she did like the Dryer sheets.

When I was a kid, I used to try to get her to buy Downey (we never had a machine with a FS dispenser so I remember sending away for the Downey 'Ball').

Really can't say I miss it, especially for kitchen linens. Was at a friend's house early on in the friendship and took a mouthful of red wine and nearly gagged. The glass was dried with a towel loaded with Fabric Softener and had clung to the inside of the glass. Because my partner was closer to the hosts at the time, I just handed it to him and said "help!". LOL

He gently mentioned it to the host who was mortified and got me a new glass immediately. Never happened again.

If you are following good laundry practices (proper temps, detergent, rinsing, dosing, etc) you shouldn't need it, IMHO.
 
There is now some ad running about some new softener that preserves fabrics from damage they undergo in the washing machine. There are people who buy clothes and say they will never wear them to keep them looking new. One guy buys a new blue shirt and puts it in a drawer. One woman buys 6 of something so she will always have a new one. The solution is to buy this fabric preserver rinse. The premise on which this is based is not totally beyond the pale. CU stated that in HE machines with less water, there is more wear on fabrics than in tumbler washers of the 50s through the 80s.

 

Some time in the past couple of decades there was Downy Wrinkle Release (or something) fabric softener which actually worked, but it was discontinued. 
 
Good for the millennials! Fabric softener is absolutely unnecessary except for controlling static cling in cold, low-humidity climates. The youngs may be too attached to their phones, but they've simplified laundry: Load the washer, toss in a Tide pod, slide a credit card into the slot and return in an hour to transfer clothes to the dryer.
 
Sta-Puf in the Glass Bottles had a nice light scent.

Never used it on a regular basis, but loved it for a new pair of jeans and occasionally for Bath Towels.

Once they switched to plastic bottles they tweaked the formula and never bought it again.

Some are quite toxic and I certainly don't want any of those chemicals especially dryer sheets next to my skin.

When going to visit certain relatives, I bring my own towels and bedsheets as their laundry suffers from Moldy Front Loader Sewer Syndrome.

They don't notice it and are insulted when I don't use their bath towels. If you use their towels after a shower, you smell like a sour kitchen sponge scented with Bounce Sheets to mask the odor.
 
Shoot, My grandmother used to practically dump the whole bottle of Downy in her GE FF.  Her towels were so soft they would just smear the water LOL.  My mother has always used small amounts.  I didn't use it much until I installed the water softener back in 2001.  After that, I found I need a little to help eliminate suds...even after 4 rinses in the Asko and 3 rinses and full spins in the Miele.  I use the yellow Suavitel on my towels and whites because it doesn't soften so much but smells really nice combined with Clorox.  Everything just comes out smelling so clean and fresh.  Been using the Walmart GV brand softener in my color loads.  It smells ok too and pretty much goes well with Persil, Tide with febreeze, Gain, Fresh Start, and Oxydol. 

 

I haven't used dryer sheets in many many years and won't.  I have forbidden Tony to even bring any home from the store no matter what kind of sale they are having!
 
I picked up some  Suavitel in the blue & yellow bottles (15.2 fl. oz.) at my local Dollar Tree about 2 months ago.  I like that the measuring lines inside the cap seem to equal about ½ of a regular capful.  It leaves just the right amount of softening, and no overpowering scent.
 
I think my mom started using them almost from the beginning they were marketed.  Consequently I was exposed from th4e beginning of doing laundry and I've continued.  I've been using Snuggle for over a decade.  My partner was very impressed with how much softer his clothes and linens feel.  (I've also gotten him to stop using bargain brand liquids).  People actually commented how much nicer his clothes looked and liked the slight scent (and he bathes at least once a day if not more). 
 
I only use fabric softener during the winter when everything's dry and scratchy, and I just use the unscented Downey. I have a bottle of Snuggle Blue Sparkle laying around if I feel something needs a strong scent for whatever reason.

Oh and I'm a "millennial".
 
I'm still

young at heart, but over the hill as we say, and I am allergic to a lot of scented things now.
I'm a dryer sheet user, but only hypo allergenic/free.
I had a sample of Palmolive dish liquid. It cut grease well but stunk like cheap cologne.
 
Veering slightly off topic, I just purchased a set of fleece sheets and was anticipating the need to start using dryer sheets again (I've never used LFS in my FL machine, except to kick down suds created by P&G's "For Both" powder formula).

 

Laundering instructions for the new sheets make no bones about proper treatment:  COLD wash (sorry, but I can't do that -- I opt for warm), no FS, dry on low, no dryer sheets.

 

I was expecting a static nightmare as a result, but they've done something to the fabric that almost completely eliminates static, yet they feel just like other fleece sheets we've had in the past.

 

Since dryer sheets tend to mess with the sensors inside the drum, I'm glad I don't have to use them with the new bed linens.
 
As others have already said, and the OP article makes clear, no one "needs" fabric softener when you get right down to it.

The stuff was invented to counteract the results of using harsh "detergents" (powders built with lots of alkaline substances), and washing machines that weren't always exactly gentle with laundry.

Other reason was the switch from soaps to detergent left laundry missing the softness that comes from using former. That "built in fabric softener" was the results of fats/oils used to make soap. No matter how much and well one rinsed there would always be trace residue. So what did those clever chops at laundry product makers come up with? An emulsion of fats, oils and water that put back the residue soaps left.

Early and still some fabric softeners were made from the same tallow as soaps. Ironic that people who swore off using that substance for wash day were now paying for pretty much the same (if not diluted) to be added in final rinse.

All this being said there can be some justification for fabric "conditioners". Yes, they do make ironing easier, which is why commercial laundries use them then things aren't starched. Laundry going through those large ironing machines often are treated with FS to prevent rolling, static and other problems.

FS/FC also do give certain laundry a smoother hand, especially when machine dried.

However being as all this may the move towards liquid detergents probably is going far to lessen the need for fabric softeners.

Unlike powdered detergents liquids do not contain washing soda and other harsh salts that can result in laundry feeling harsh. Many of them do contain a certain (small) percentage of soap which accounts for not only cleaning ability but perhaps softness as well.
 
As a millennial, I can take credit for inconsistent use of fabric softener. I use Persil PowerPearls in my Steam Duet and they seem to work just fine without too much static. I seldom see any suds unless I wash blankets or towels that were last washed in the old top loader.

My brother, on the other hand, prides himself on using so much Snuggle Blue Sparkle that it is a family joke.
 
Young Millennial Here.

I've honestly never used much fabric softener. Nor have I really ever used Dryer Sheets. Most Liquid Detergent's used in soft-ish water conditions, leave fabrics feeling pretty decent... so long as they make it through the tumble dryer. If they are not tumbled long, they are kinda, iffy. Powder Detergents aren't that bad. and usually do well if you use an extra rinse cycle.

Honestly... if you've ever followed the Tide Pods marketing... you would assume it contains some sort of fabric softener, as well as Bleach, and Stain Remover, and you could magically forget all of those things in your head forever.. so long as you buy Tide Pods. They may have unintentionally killed some of their market by not making things clear enough.

As for me. I don't know. There's a certain store brand Fabric Softener, that I truly love and smells just like the Old Downy April Fresh from my childhood, but beyond that... many fabric softeners are totally "gag-worthy" for me. I honestly can't stand many of the Downy, Suavitel, or Snuggle Scents. They just make me feel sick and in some cases... I even feel like I've been given headaches. They are just awful.

I just like the smell of CLEAN & LIGHT scents. I love the smell of Tide Original, Original Powder and Fresh Spring Water's from a Henkel Brand.

I don't know... if I'm their main focus as a consumer. I may be one of the last millennials still in love with their Powders & lightly scented stuff.

But Still. I am one of their "markets". And they clearly need to wake up.
 

Similar threads

S
A fabric softener question...
Replies
7
Views
8
rp2813
rp2813

Latest posts

Back
Top