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.

 

[user 3941]

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.

 

[user 3941]

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!

 

[cranraspberry]

I've actually started using more softener recently, and have even experimented with adding a tiny bit in my towel loads to see if it will have any effect. My favorite is definitely Vernel Sensitiv - I use about half of what they recommend as the minimal dosage and get no added scent, but slightly softer clothes.
Still a little concerned about build up in the washer, but hopefully at the rate I'm using it it won't be an issue.

 

[mamapinky]

Jay...I also can't stand overwhelming fabric softener smells but I do like a bit so I mix downys lavender with the downy free and only use a tablespoon or two on occasion. I've been in homes that reek of the stuff but I've also been in homes that reek of dirt and sweat...ill choose the fabric softener scent over old dirty body odors anytime..lol.
Olga...I use a small amount of fabric softener on towels every few washings and I haven't had any issues with the towels. I've read on here a lot..and I think the consensus is if you use fabric softener frequently you shouldn't have a washer problem if you use warm and hot water washes frequently. .but I could be wrong.....Cheryl

 

[maytagbear]

In the winter.......

I find it essential. Especially in loads of socks, to prevent the shocks.

I have said here before....I cut "April Fresh" with Unscented.

Every third washing of bath towels. Never, ever on kitchen towels.

I do not use dryer sheets ever. I hate the way they gunk up the drum. Every coin-op dryer I have used in the last 30 (no exaggeration) years have been slimy!

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[mattywashboy]

I am a fabric softener user but have stopped using P&G brand ones as I find they all tend to leave a very long strong scent which I'm not keen on. Most Aussie softeners are much less heavily scented so I use those. I have also discovered Felce Azzurra from Italy works well and leaves a wonderful scent behind. Being a big hairy bugger I find static shocks a big problem for me so just another reason to use softener l

 

[askolover]

No matter how little detergent

we use with our softened water, it seems to be difficult to rinse out even with 4 rinses with water half way up the door in the Asko so we kind of have to use some.  Don't like Downy 'cause it's just too soft.  My grandmother used it and her towels would just smear water all over you (but I think she "dropped the bottle in her GE FF).  I get Gain ultra and split it between two bottles, then cut them with water.  Makes 2 bottles  from one.  Works well on the soap without being overly soft.  Been doing it for years without any problems or buildup in the washer.  I personally prefer towels dried outside on the line, but who has time in this house?

 

[iej]

I stopped using them some time ago and honestly don't see much difference.

Unnecessary, extra chemicals that aren't rinsed out!

 

[gusherb]

I stopped using softener when I became disgusted by the scents that are out there, and got sick of the classic Downey scents (or they just changed and I hated them after). I used none all last summer but had to start using it again when winter started as the dryness and shocks were getting annoying. So I bought a bottle of unscented Downey.

A month or so ago I bought a bottle of Snuggle Blue Sparkle, followed the dosing instructions and used it on a load of white towels (huge mistake never doing that again) and now 4 scalding hot washes since then and those towels still wreak of that stuff!
OTOH I used the Downey on my towels every other load all winter and haven't had a problem with absorption or sliminess, though I'm glad to not have to use it anymore.

 

[mamapinky]

Matt that is a huge box of ariel someday I hope to order one of those how well does it clean? Only ariel I can get here is the ariel at the Mexican grocer which works good or ariel usa yuck.....cheryl

 

[mattywashboy]

Cheryl, Ariel UK is wonderful stuff. I use it only on towels, sheets and heavy soiled kitchen linen. I got this huge box very cheap at our local uk import store as the owner had ordered too much stock and was practically giving it away!

 

[washingpowder]

I haven't used regular fabric softener for at least 5 years. Vinegar seems to work marvelously, additionally setting-in dyes and removing any leftover odors or detergent residue. Any product with phthalates, synthetic fragrances or such is never going to make it to my apartment. Recently been exposed to some good old Downy and Suavitel, my skin became slightly itchy again, something I forgot ever bothered me, let alone the slightly slimy feeling of towels.
Only thing that occasionally causes some trouble is static on synthetic fabrics. Used Method in-dryer spray, didn't care for the commercial smell nor ingredients. Seventh Generation, 365 Whole Foods Brand and Ecover all use a soy-based compound that seems to do the job; a tablespoon in a half-cup of vinegar is more than enough to soften and prevent static.

 

[polkanut]

<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;">We use Sam's Club Member's Mark Fresh Scent softener, and we only use 1/2 capful at most for any given load.  It's not nearly as overpowering as Downy or Snuggle.</span>

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/member-s-mark-liquid-fabric-softener-168-oz/170426.ip?navAction=push