Fabric softener vs Woolwash.

[twinniefan]

Hi guys,
Just a quick question?,would there be much difference in washing one's clothes in detergent then fabric softener in the final rinse or just washing the same clohtes in Woolwash or something similar alone?
I have to say I don't use fabric softener anyway,never really liked it but I do use a special woollens detergent,Softly it's called.
Has anyone ever washed towels for example in a Woolwash type product and noticed any difference in doing this as opposed to using detergent plus fabric softener?.
Wouls be very interested in opinions.
Cheers.
Steve.

 

[launderess]

Cotton and linen textiles are not well cleansed with mildy acidic to pH neutral detergents, which is what most wool and silk washes are. Wool OTHO should be cleansed that way, and or with cationic surfactants, the same thing found in most fabric softeners.

With wool, one wants to prevent textile fibres from swelling, however cotton and linen fibres need to swell to some extent to release dirt and stains trapped within.

Cationic surfactants can also leave a film on fabrics, just as with using fabric softener, something you usually wish to avoid as it renders such textiles less absorbent.

Being as all this may, my bottle of Persil "Perwoll" states it is recommended for "fine linens and cottons", but never bother as have much more fun things in my stash for cleaning such things.

Oh yes, wool washes are not designed to deal with the types of muck and stains one commonly finds on cotton clothing. Lighly soiled items might be ok, but stains and heavy dirt might not shift.

Finally, most wool washes are designed to create a good amount of froth, even when designed for use in a front loader. This excess froth is good when laundering delicates and wools because it makes the washing action gentle (the froth cushions the washing action), but this is the same thing one wishes to avoid when laundering cottons or linen. Also the regular wash cycle of a front loader is bound to whip up lots of froth, as opposed to the gentle cycle. Towels in particular have to potential to create lots of froth.

L.

 

[twinniefan]

Many thanks

Many thanks Laundress, appreciate the reply,I might just stick with normal detegent for my towels etc then.
Cheers.
Steve.

 

[jeffg]

I frequently use Woolite or Perwoll on lightly soiled cotton loads. There's no point in using harsh detergents when they're not needed.

Ironically I don't use Woolite, Perwoll or other liquid washes on my cashmere or woolens, unless the clothing is heavily soiled or stained. If I want to just freshen it up, wool comes out much softer by using a tablespoon of STPP powder with no added detergent or soap.

 

[MrX]

The main problem with normal detergents like Persil or Ariel on wool items is that they contain a cocktail of enzymes which will quite happily damage wool fibres. This is what results in the drastic shrinkage of fibres if you wash a woolen sock with your cotton wash by accident.

These types of detergents also have surfactants that are designed to break down greasy stains which can strip the lanolin out of wool.

Wool is basically animal hair and it needs to be washed much like human hair with mild soap-based detergent and plenty of oils and moisturizers e.g. ceremides, lanolin etc

Using a good fabric softener, preferably one that is quite greasy and contains lanolin etc at the end of the cycle is useful. It keeps the wool in good shape.

If you really want to take good care of your wool, shampoo it with a good quality shampoo that you'd use on your hair!

 

[panthera]

mrx is right

I have washed my cashmeres in shampoo for dry hair for centuries and they last forever.

Chlorine bleach is death on woolens and silks, just like enzymes.