I've Had A Relapse: Fabric Softener

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frigilux

frigilux

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The Minnesota Prairie
I'd been a user since college in the 1970's. In 2010, my new Frigidaire dryer had a 'Reduce Static' setting which solved that very real issue during long Minnesota winters. I stopped using the stuff and was clean for over six years. Didn't so much as glance at the ever-expanding section in the laundry products aisle. There was even a bottle of Downy on my shelf for guests who did laundry at my house. Was never tempted to use it. Finally threw it out after a couple of years when the remainder turned to glop.

About a month ago, out-of-the-blue and for no apparent reason, I fell off the wagon and picked up bottles of April Fresh Downy, Downy Free & Gentle, Gain Original, and Snuggle Blue Sparkle (Original). The kid in checkout said "So, I guess you like fabric softener, huh?"

The April Fresh Downy went into the trash after experiencing headaches (which are very rare for me) three consecutive nights from scented bed linens. I'd read a number of complaints about its scent here and I have to agree.

Gain leaves a scent similar to its detergent pods, which, to me, smell a bit like grape popsicles. Used it on a load of bath linens, which were soft, fluffy and had a gentle, pleasing scent out of the dryer. But once they became damp with use---yikes! The scent was overpowering, perfuming the bathroom and adjacent hallway.

Snuggle actually smells more like Downy used to---at least to my nose.

Downy Free and Gentle may be the best fit for me. Dress shirts emerge a bit less wrinkled from the dryer; towels are soft and fluffy. The liquid itself is thinner and doesn't gunk up the dispenser.

I do like a bit of scent on bed linens, so maybe Snuggle will fill the bill for that load.

I realize scent is a very subjective sense, but what's your favorite liquid fabric softener? It seems each brand now has a 'premium' line as well as its old standbys. Does anyone in the AW family use those? Are they worth the extra cost?[this post was last edited: 5/19/2016-06:18]

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LOL.... love this post so humourous.

I had the same headache reaction with Snuggle Blue sparkle. I haven't tried Downy Free and Gentle yet but I'll add it to the list. Currently, I picked up a Suavitel small bottle ($1.49 at Shoprite) to give it a try and I really like it. Leaves a pleasant non irritating scent and things are soft enough
 
Downy's Spring & Renewal scent is the only FS I ever use. I love the smell because it's a clean yet gentle scent that doesn't overpower at all, and usually a bottle lasts forever because I only use half of the line 1 dosage or less, usually only enough to cover the bottom of the cap. A little bit really does go a long way, lol. I can NOT stand the smell of the April Fresh, not since around 2007-08 when that's all my grandma was using, and we had to have an intervention. The Mountain Rain or Spring (whatever the green cap is called) is also a no-go. The only one I can tolerate is Clean Breeze and I'll get a small bottle every blue moon just to reset my nose, but S&R will always be my favorite.

I've tried Snuggle and other brands a few times but there was something in their scents that was too "chemical-y" to me, and the odor would remain in the washer even with using tiny dosages. Downy is always my standard because it leaves no residue or odor or overpowering scent when used sparingly. As much guilt as I feel for supporting the big P&G, you can't argue that their laundry and dishwasher products are anything less than trustworthy and effective, even if they've gone through some crazy smell episodes, ha.
 
More seriously...

I seldom use softener. Part of this is simply that I am cheap, and really don't feel like spending $4. I don't find softener fun like detergent. It's also not strictly speaking necessary, at least for me. Plus, in line drying season, I actually like some crispness--except for towels.

Past that...I have some degree of sensitive skin, and I'm not sure that it's the best idea using a product like softener which, by design, leaves a residue behind. One also wonders if this is such a good idea for anyone--what is the long term effect of having this residue by one's skin? Also there are potential issues of towel absorbency being reduced.

On a plus side, though, I have heard claims that fabric softener might help some with some skin issues. Presumably by making fabric less abrasive.

There are times I've used it, mainly during periods of line drying when I'm trying to get towels less board like. Given my paranoia about chemical residue, I've tended to focus on green brands (e.g., Seventh Generation and Ecover). I can't remember Seventh Generation helping towels that much, but I did like the lavender scent. Ecover did seem to work well--well enough that I was sad when the last drop was drained from the bottle. (Only one store had it that I know of, and it's not easy getting to that store. Indeed, it's been years since that I last went to that store.)

I may try All. I ended up with a small handful of All sample kits with 1 use detergent/1 use softener packs. The detergent is about used up, but I still have the softener, and I might as well try it... We'll see...

As far as scents are concerned... As those who follow my babbles know, I'm not wild about how strong current detergent scents are. Thus...I think I am most likely to use unscented. Particularly at this time of the year, when I line dry. But a gentle scent would be nice, and I could imagine using it when machine drying. For clothes, unscented is fine year round, but a slight scent on some things like sheets and bath towels is nice when machine drying.
 
I've been using Snuggle Blue Sparkle and Downey Free & Gentle for awhile now and like both. The trick with the Snuggle is to use about 1/5 of the recommended minimum dose, and then it smells decent and not over powering. I may pick up a bottle of Gain Original scented softener next time I go to the store, I've been craving that scent lately. Downey scents don't do it for me anymore. They're either dull and boring (the original flavors) or make me wanna hurl into next week. (April fresh, lavender etc etc).
 
Thank your lucky stars

I'll be honest, my experience of US softeners is limited, have had numerous bottles of Downy April Fresh and Clean Breeze over the years and I really like them.

Also like your Tide and Gain detergents too.

So from my (albeit little) experience, and reading a few of these boards.

Thank your lucky stars that you aren't exposed to our softeners here in the UK, The 2 main ones are Comfort (Snuggle) and Lenor (Downy), and they are STRONG.

I could honestly say if any USA folk were to emigrate to the UK, I think they would move back on the basis of our detergents and softeners alone lol.

They get stronger and stronger every week.

But, according to market research, this is what is wanted.

Various consumer surveys time and again say people want scent to last on their clothing as long as possible. So thus it continues.

I'll be honest, I too like the stronger scents, but there has been more than a few occasions I have:

- stripped the bed in the middle of the night

- rewashed entire lots of laundry

- even contemplated taking my top off in work and only wearing my coat as the scent has been just too strong on something I have been wearing.

I snoop on Walmart US and the like, it also seems your products have more standard sounding names too, like April Fresh/Mountain Breeze etc.

We're subjected to all sorts of strange names, such as "crystal rain and white lily", "hibiscus and lime blossom" "peony and cherry blush" to name a few (and they're detergents not softeners).

Anyway, not that it may matter, my favourite softener at the moment is Comfort's Strawberry and Lily Kiss.
 
I am a softener whore. Yes I said it! I normally use Downy April Fresh and I get the one that says Surround Yourself in Softness. I like that scent, yet the new Fresh Protect reeks to the high, heavens. Nothing like it used to smell and P&G could give a crap about it. I even asked if they even smell the scent before its rolled out to the public. No warning on the bottle either that its a new scent. Lots of pissed off people out there and I do sniff the bottle before I buy it now. The older Downy mates quite well with my fave detergent Persil, both Original scent liquid and PowerPearls. I also have Fleecy Fresh Air that Turquoisedude was so nice to schlep down from Canada to moi, that I do like. I have Vernel that smells OK but lingers. I have a fabric softener fro Korea that is Mimosa scented...that one is interesting. Gain White Water scent that is only sold at Dollah General, smells light and clean to me. A couple of store brands as well too.
 
I've been using Safeway Signature Soft Breeze fabric softener for over a yr. now and I love it! To me it smells more like the old Downy than anything else I've found. And the scent lasts for quite a while, which I like. When ever I go into our bedroom I can faintly smell it in the room from the sheets. I like for our laundry to have a pleasent scent after it is washed. Detergents used to accomplish this for us, but now the manufactures have discovered that if they use scents that fade away quickly in their detergents they can get the consumer to spend more $ on fabric softener to get lasting scent. And now they have found how to get the fabric softener scents to fade away quicly, so guess what there is now a market for Unstoppable's, so we can spend even more. I tried the smallest size of Unstoppable's because I was able to get them on sale for $2.99. I can't detect that they provided anymore scent than Safeway Soft Breeze Fabric softener. I did however find a great use for the Unstoppable's. Since we have a bagged vacuum I decided to try the Unstoppable's as a vacuum bag scent and vacuumed up a half cap. They work wonderful in the vacuum bag. Now every time I vacuum the house gets the air freshened too.
Eddie
 
I have seen the Signature Soft Breeze at my local Shaws and have been intrigued by it. I have used the Stop and Shop Spring scent softener that does remind me of what Downy April Fresh used to smell like years ago. I will pick up the Signature one next time I go to Shaws. I love the fact that they have all the Safeway products in it and I am quite impressed by their store brands.
 
ALL free for most colored loads but Suavitel for whites and towels because they get way too soft with All or Downey or Gain softeners, even diluted 50/50 with water.  I can't stand a towel that's so soft it just smears water instead of soaking it up!
 
Said it before.........

Downy "April Fresh" cut 50/50 with "free and clear."

I have tried the blue Suavitel and the yellow....just too stinky for me!

Sock/darks---every load in winter, every other load during the rest of the year.

Bath towels.....every other load year round.

Lawrence/Maytagbear.
 
Thanks for suggestions and personal experiences with softeners, everyone! Have the feeling this is a passing phase for me, but want to try many of the suggested brands/scents. The Snuggle Exhilarations White Lavender and Sandlewood sounds intriguing. I love that cat, Louis, even though it is horrified by my habits, LOL.

For those who mentioned Suavitel: Which scent are you using?

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Have some of the blue, only used on whites.  A large bottle of the Yellow currently being used on everything, tried the rose and loved the smell but was just too strong for everyday use even cut 50/50 with All free so gave it to Mom.  I love lavender but haven't tried it yet.  The green/teal bottle I'm not sure I've seen yet.  Going to try Walmart brand softener soon, smells ok.  Got a bottle of Kroger "Check this out" brand, not too strong scent...doesn't overpower my Oxydol powder I occasionally use on my sheets.
 
I have to admit a bias against Snuggle, even though, as far as I know, I've never used the product. But I do remember those ads of the 80s featuring that obnoxious teddy bear. If any stuffed animal ever asked to have its head chopped off by an older brother, well, it was that Snuggle teddy bear...
 
I used Snuggle forever, so much in fact my coworkers used to call me "Snuggle Boy" lol. But I'd rather have my clothes smell like the detergent I like so now I use fragrance free...actually it's the store brand from Market Basket...I liked it better than the Downy Free.

I do like Suavitel too though...I've only used the regular blue bottle.
 
Someone mentioned above that they use the Downy Unstoppables in their vacuum and I second that motion!!!! I bought a bottle of Gain Fireworks Moonlight Breeze probably over a year or so ago, specifically for using in the vacuum cleaner. I've tried them a couple of times in the washer as they're intended, but it was a bit much for me, even at just a small sprinkle, and I'd rather not throw more stuff in with my clothes than needed. But for the vacuum they're perfect. Both my units are bag less cyclonic, so they usually swirl around for a good while until the canister starts to get full, but it makes the house smell heavenly. And what's best, they don't leave a chalky powder buildup in the passages like those carpet powders they sell. I just empty the canisters, wipe out the seals in them and on the vacuum, and sprinkle a dash of them on the floor to be vacuumed up again.
 
Gain, Gain, Gain, and MORE GAIN

Apple Mango Tango, The Hawaiian Breeze one or Regular.. Thats all i've used for 10 years or better..Dryer Sheets, The Fireworks and the Sheets.. We use all 3 in most laods

I don't understand how any one could like anything but the Almond Essence Sniggle (which is gone)... Blue sparkle smells like the Snuggle bear went down to 34th and Vine and got a special friend for the night.. Some smell so chemicaly sweet i gag... Just no... Blue Sparkle (which is a friends stage name) and her crew can stay on the shelf

DOwny is on another bad smelly level... It gives me headaches and actually sent me into an asthma attack when i got stuck sleeping in a bed washed in the stuff.. My friend was so mortified... I was too.. She keeps a set of unscented sheets and towels for me now.. Its bad.. SO BAD..From that experiene alone I won't go sniff the other Downy options... Im too afraid

I tried using Safeways Green COlored stuff, it just smelled of melted crayons and loneliness

Suavital smells like Raid to me.. Like "I killed some roaches and sprayed X SCENT of GLADE to hide the smell"... Its just no..I've had to ask a coworker to change brands because it too gives me headaches... SHe giggled and said she couldnt' smell it.. I bought her 3 huge jugs of Gain and she bought me lunch.. I actually got her to stop using Xtra and Suavital and to use Gain..

I tried purex crystals and they look too much like cat litter.. So much so roommate confused them and the cat box was full of them... Plus they had no smell

The others I haven't tried (All, MS Myers, Up and Up, Great Value,. etc), but now im inspiried to take 2 motrin migraine and go sniff softners at the store tomorrow
 
None for me - ever. There is not a single one of them that doesn't overpower and smell like someone is covering up something worse. One of my friends uses liquid softener in the rinse, dryer sheets and to seal the deal, Downy unstoppables. I cannot get within 15 feet of him or his family for the fog. Add to that that he and his wife insist on dousing themselves with the heaviest colognes known to man. Maybe people really do become "nose blind" and as time goes by need more and more fragrance to get the same effect...
 
None

for me either. It's enough I have to smell what the neighbors use when I am outside doing gardening, etc. I don't know how they stand it when it is so strong coming out of their dryer vents, two houses away.
I do not like cold crisp sheets, or starchy clothing. I like soft cotton on my cubby bear skin.
I had to return the nice wool area rugs I bought because I am allergic to wool.
 
Snuggle White Lavender and Sandalwood was on the shelf at the small Hy-Vee grocery store I frequent. Used it on bed linens and the comforter. Pleasant scent; not overpowering, although I catch a whiff of it upon entering the bedroom. It's a bit more nuanced than most of the others I've tried.

Now I'm curious to try the premium line/scents from a few other brands. This exploration of softeners has actually been kind of fun.

In case you're wondering: As only 1 or 2 doses have been used from a number of bottles featuring scents that aren't a great fit for me, they're going to the local food shelf. Just can't see dumping them all down the drain when someone else might enjoy them.
 
A couple of weeks ago I picked up two 15.2 fl. oz. (450ml) bottles of Suavitel "Field of Flowers" & "Morning Sun" at the local Dollar Tree.  I only use 1 capful in the dispenser diluted with water.  I would say the ratio is 2 parts water, 1 part softener.  The softness is there, but the scent is practically unnoticeable when it comes out of the dryer or off of the clothesline.
 

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