Fabric Softeners -

[zanussi_lover]

I've stopped using fabric conditioners/softeners because every single one seems to have an overpowering perfume which gets to the back of your throat. All the Comfort and Lenor ones smell so strong that I literally can't breathe, the perfumes are so disgustingly strong, and as the scent breaks down, your clothes have a whiff of mildew on them.

I always remember as a child, Comfort and Lenor were very pleasant products, especially when they were in dilute format (Lenor being in blue bottles with the coloured cap)

I've not used Fabric conditioner for about 6 months. Its annoying as more manufacturers are bringing out fresh release which the perfume sticks to your clothes for months, which is too overpowering.

I just use Powder (Daz - retro smell and not heavily perfumed) and I haven't noticed a difference in softness in my clothes, but then again my Beko washer does 3 high level rinses up the door so all the soap gets rinsed out.

I do find liquid detergent softens clothes more than powders (especially Surf small and mighty) probably due to the unilever liquids having a high soap content.

Has anyone seen that Comfort Intense stuff in the tiny bottle? It makes me gag just looking at it.

 

[arbilab]

I dallied with softeners last century. Wouldn't touch them today even if they didn't smell at all. Besides waterproofing your towels and mildewing your washer.

 

[washer111]

Miele reckons that "modern" fabric softeners do not have the issue of causing water-proofing issues on towels. Although I haven't bothered testing that for myself, so I don't know.

I use a fabric softener intended for baby's sheets and cloths. As such, its a more natural product and just has a "clean" scent to it, but only just so. Its called "Natural Organics Purity Sensitive." Their suggestion is a ridiculous dosage, but I find just 1/4 gets things very soft.

 

[aegokocarat]

I love using Ecover washing products when I can afford them, otherwise its store brand sensitive powder and either fairy, Ecover or shop brand fabric conditioner. I don't think my washing smells of much which is perfectly fine by me!
Tom

 

[launderess]

Most Modern Fabric Softeners/Conditioners

At least TOL and even MOL offerings have long replaced much if not all oils/fats with surfactants. This in theory should and according to testing by CR and other sources from the buildup that once was common.

You can also thwart any potential problems by simply using less product. But then again for those wanting long lasting scent that could pose a problem.

Find Vernel fabric softener pleasant enough without a gagging powerful scent that remains for ages. Ditto for offerings by Caldrea and Ecover. Downy OTOH like P&G's scented laundry detergents reeks to high heaven and is nearly impossible to wash away. Things laundered several times after one use *still* smell thanks to the phthalate used.

When called out on this P&G and others claim consumer research told them persons actually like these powerful long lasting scents. I know the Hispanic/Latino market seems to which maybe pushing this trend at least in the USA.

 

[liberatordeluxe]

Personally i have NEVER used fabric conditioners because i think they are unnecessary and are not good for clothes but thats just me. I actually find the own brand products generally more pleasant smelling and low sudsing. I do think i may ditch branded colour care detergent as Persil 'Small and Mighty' and Ariel 'Colour' are useless at removing grease and fat stains depsite using the recommended amount. I shall also buy Simply again because its in stock in Sainsburys and i find that cleans and smells nicer than Persil! If you are after fabric conditioners though i don't think you can go wrong with Sainsburys, Marks & Spencer or Ecover brands. Also i think they recommend too much for both detergent and softner.

 

[liberatordeluxe]

@ Zanussi Lover What model is your Beko? I didn't think any modern machine did deep rinse levels up the door these days though mine does 1/3 up the door which is enough i find.

 

[launderess]

Fabric Softeners/Conditioners

Are not always the truly evil things some make out. Used wisely they do offer many benefits.

Most all commercial laundries or services use them regardless of what they claim and for good reason. Fabric softeners/conditioners make for less wrinkled laundry, faster drying (tumble/heated), easier ironing and impart a smooth hand and or feel to laundry.

For linens in particular laundries use fabric softeners or conditioners for things going through the ironers because it cuts down rolling and other problems caused by static electricity.

Will say again the usual problem one sees with fabric softeners is people use vastly more than required. I've stood at laundrymats and watched persons pour one, two or more capfuls of softener into the machine. Then there are those that put multiple fs sheets (two, three, four) into the dryers. Have seem people pull them out of the box line Kleenex and toss them in like tissues.

When persons complain of allergies and so forth to laundry products am not saying it isn't true, but likely there is a vast amount of product residue trigging that response. It always isn't washing machines cannot "rinse well", but there are limits.

 

[mamapinky]

I absolutely agree

With Launderess...my daughter in law dumps the downy in her washer..no measuring.. her clothing is dull grey and smells like a cheap floozy..she however likes the smell..I use some downy once in awhile..either downy free or occasionally mixed 3 parts free to 1 part lavender and I always measure about 2tablespoons in the old water hog..I use it on towels every few washings, and jeans occasionally. .I never use it on sheets or pillowcase since I love that crisp off the line feel..IMO fabric softener is fine in low doses.
As far as allergies. ..my 7year old has very bad asthma the pulmonary doctors told me that the vast majority of people (not everyone) that have asthma attacks or skin allergies from laundry supplies is due to overdose ing laundry with detergents.fabric softener ect and its usually from the chemical perfume. .I only use tide free laundry detergent and no fabric softener on this kiddos clothing and bedding but for the rest of the family sometimes I do like a bit of fabric softener. Take care Cheryl

 

[mrsalvo]

I don't care for Downy at all, too strong, and I really dislike Snuggle.....that stuff makes me gag. Most loads I wash I don't use anything but mild smelling detergent. I did find Final Touch at Wal-Mart and I will use that every once in a while. I remember Sta-Puff, that wasn't too bad either but alas I haven't seen it in a long time.
Many of the detergents are way to strong smelling, so I'm careful what I buy and use.

 

[joeypete]

I've been using less of it too. Once I learned you shouldn't put it on towels…mine come out cleaner and dry better! I have been using Snuggle for years but I was happy to find Final Touch at the grocery store so I'll get that next time. I use ClingFree dryer sheets, if needed. I do like the smell on my clothes, in fact I purposely wash my bathroom rugs and shower curtain with Cheer because it smells so good! But I know for some, allergies are a concern.

 

[danmantn]

Been really happy with the re-introduced Final Touch. Great value, clean, light scent, and doesn't leave ring-around-the washtub in my Speed Queen.

 

[DADoES]

 
I use softener less often than in the past (no longer on every load) but it does make jeans and shirts a little smoother and provide a bit of occasional aromatherapy on sheets and towels.  I haven't tried a large variety, tend to stay with Snuggle Exhilarations White Lavender & Sandalwood scent.

 

[dixan]

zanussi_lover, if you don't like strong and intensive perfumes, buy Doussy from Lidl. It softens very well and it barely leaves any scent on the clothes.

 

[michaelman2]

I have never used any softener/conditioners in laundry. I really dislike the way towels are less absorbent. I have also found that they make cotton shirts less "breathable". Like my bath and kitchen towels washed in hot water, oxygen bleach, Tide, STTP and then tumbled dry. Like my sheets, washed in hot water, Tide, STPP, oxygen bleach and then line dried then ironed. If they are going to be tumble dried, I place a cup of Stay-Flo ready to use liquid starch in the final rinse, dry, then iron.

No fabric softener in my house...

 

[abcomatic]

I never use fabric softener! When I was younger, (in the 1970's) I did use Rain Barrel and Final Touch. Those softeners did the job without all of that nasty smell of flowers etc. that is out there today.
I wash clothes with Sears detergent and then hang it all out on the line in the summer or in the basement in the winter.
I use the dryer for perm. press clothes and that's it.

 

[joeypete]

Vinegar works

I've used white vinegar a few times and it does seem to work. Only thing is it takes out all the smells…including the detergent smell, which I like. So I stopped using it. Silly, I know haha

 

[nickuk]

Fabric softener

I don't really like the fragrance of fabric softener either, but I don't understand how some folk can get away without using it? To me, the static build up if it's not used in the dryer is unbearable. I have even been known to give small children and animals discharge shocks - not minor, I'm talking visible flash! No amount of vinegar or nobbly banging (dryer) balls will fix that.......

I'm with Launderess too - it's a necessary evil but don't overdose........and don't forget the unscented versions do the same job......

 

[mayguy]

I've quit using fabric softener for 8 or so years now, and use vinegar instead.. A couple of winter, I did buy 7th Generation dryer sheets and only used 3 sheets, and stopped! I noticed lint started to build up in the dryer lint screen slot, before that it was spotless.

There's some customer just stink of Downy at times and can't imagin how the house smells!