Liquid Fabric Softener

[waterstreet]

Discussions in this section have pointed out the problems created by fabric softener dryer sheets. I have discontinued the use of these.

I am still using a liquid fabric softener in the washing machine. Should I stop using that also? Does it cause the same type of problems for the dryer?

Thank you,

David Lewis

 

[laundryshark]

Properly Dispensing Liquid Fabric Softener

Too much liquid fabric softener in your washer clogs the lint filter and the machine itself. Therefore, no more than a cap full per load in your washer. Furthermore, excess fabric softener on your clothes hinders proper drying, especially if you are line drying items, which increases the risk of developing mold and mildew on your items. Again, as long as you follow label directions for your brand of liquid fabric softener, you will be in good shape.--Laundry Shark

 

[selectomatic]

I guess I've missed the discussion on dryer sheets.

What are the problems with dryer sheets (or do I really want to know)?

-kevin

 

[waterstreet]

RE: Dryer Sheets

Selectomatic:
The gist of the dryer sheet dialog as I remember it was that the dryer sheets left a coating on the dryer drum and, if there was a sensor in the drum would coat that and interfere with it’s working. As my dryer does not have a timed cycle, I assume that every selection runs on the sensor. Things work as they should now, so I don’t want to jeopardize that.
Some also clamed that the dryer sheet residue attacked the finish of the drum.

Laundryshark:
I have a Maytag washer with a cup in the top of the agitator which I think is supposed to spin the softener out for the rinse cycle. According to your information, I am using way too much as I fill the cup to it’s limit – much more than a capful. I will reduce the quantity. Thank you for the advice. I do not line dry so have never experienced what you describe.

Thanks for your responses, David Lewis

 

[maytagbear]

I use liquid softener---

When using it, it is good to just use one capful, and then fill the rest of the dispenser with water...I just put the cap under the filling water, and put it in the dispenser cup.

One of the advantages liquids have over dryer sheets is that liquid does not build up in the dryer the way dryer sheets do, and if I want to run a load without any softener, it's easier to do just that.

I was one of the few students who ever used liquid softener...the dryers in the dormitories were just greasy-nasty with dryer sheets.

Plus, dryer sheets are very flammable in and of themselves, and they can indeed build up on sensors.

Dryer sheets are an unfortunate fact of life. I would like to outlaw them, but that is not going to happen.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[launderess]

Just used dryer sheets for the first time in ages.

Was doing a large number of sheets in the Hoover twinne, and as anyone knows who has done twin tub washing; after all the palaver of spin rinsing, putting items back in line for a deep/fabric softener rinse when doing lots of wash is a bother. So nipped down to the shop and picked up a packet of "Bounce" free and clear sheets.

Product worked quite well, though did use two sheets and reused same for several loads of laundry with no difference in softness and static removal.

Remember reading somewhere that liquid softeners were better for softening laundry, while the dryer sheets are better for dealing with static and removing/repeling pet hair and or lint. Will say that the "Bounce" sheets did quite well in terms of static cling for the cotton sateen sheets, and there was much less "lint" flying about during ironing.

My vintage Whirlpool dryer does not have sensors, so nothing to fear on that score, however don't intend to use dryer sheets that often, so not really worried about any long term damage.

L.

 

[selectomatic]

I've always used Bounce sheets.

I've never noticed any buildup from Bounce, and the only time that my dryness sensor had problems, it was with a glob of lint. Now I suppose that the lint could have gotten stuck there because of the Bounce residue, but I'm not at all sure of that.

I use Bounce to reduce static, and I've always been happy with it. And I guess that I've never had them (or anything else) burst into flame in my laundry room.

-kevin

 

[laundryshark]

Certain Dryer Softener Sheets can Clog your Lint Filter-Trut

Word to the wise from TruthorFiction.com.--Laundry Shark

Certain Dryer Softener Sheets can Clog your Lint Filter-Truth!

Some Dryer Softener Sheets can Clog your Lint Filter–Truth! Summary of eRumor: The eRumor is a first-hand account of a person whose heating unit in a clothes dryer failed. The man who repaired it pulled out what appeared to be a clean lint filter but when taken over to the kitchen sink would not...

www.truthorfiction.com

 

[laundryshark]

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Dry Cleaning

And from Snopes.com...--Laundry Shark

FACT CHECK: Does a Clean Lint Filter Extend the Life of a Dryer?

Can washing the lint filter in your clothes dryer help enhance the performance and lifespan of that appliance?

www.snopes.com

 

[selectomatic]

Interesting.

I'll have to try to remember to wash my lint filter a few times a year.

That little bit of extra work is well worth getting rid of static cling!

-kevin

 

[sudsman]

liquid Fabric softner

A liquid fabric softner will help clothes dry a little bit faster and will help a great deal when ironing.. The iron will usually glide a lot smoother.. We have even found that adding a 1/2 cap of softner with starch helps the starch work better and also iron out better.. We have had a lot of problems getting the starch work thru the flatwork ironer but the softner lets them glide thru.. We starch a lot of napkins and white tablecloths and this has worked very well for us..

 

[whirlcool]

I heard that you can also counter the effects of fabric softner on the dryer sensors by periodically cleaning them with either vinegar or some isopropyl alcohol.
Anyone else heard this?

 

[waterstreet]

Great Information

I am going right down stairs and wash my lint filter! I really appreciate the good information in this thread !

David Lewis

 

[exploder3211]

isopropyl alcohol.

works well to remove the gunk from the dryer sheets... My family has quite using them finally.. But as a kid i always cleaned the sensor strips on everyones Kenmore dryers...

 

[kirk280980]

Whether you use liquid softener, dryer sheets or nothing at all, it's probably still a good idea to scrub the lint screen and clean the moisture sensors occasionally anyway. No matter how well-rinsed the laundry is, there's always going to be *some* residual detergent left in the fabric, not to mention hard water minerals, that can build up over time and create a film.

I use liquid and sheets regularly - with the exception of towels, every load gets one or the other - and haven't experienced any problems. One capful or sheet is plenty for a full load, but I can well imagine that there will be folks who believe more is better and routinely use way too much. As with so many things in life, exercising a little moderation and common sense is the key!

 

[launderess]

Only thing one uses fabric softener for is sateen bed linens, which iron better with a tad of FS. This is an old French hand laundry trick, and works well with any material that is "smooth and silky".

Other than the above tend to avoid FS like the plauge. Don't use a very highly alkaline laundry products so my laundry isn't at all scratchy. A splash of white vinegar in the final rinse makes towels and other pure cotton items very fluffy and soft.

L.

 

[bongobro]

An unexpected side effect from dryer sheets...

A co-worker of mine was telling me that his 13-year-old daughter was breaking out in an inexplicable rash where her clothes were contacting her skin; red bumps, welts, the whole bit.

Turns out the daughter's doctor asked if the girl's mother used dryer sheets to soften her laundry. The answer was yes...

Turns out, according to the doctor, the coating in dryer sheets built up on clothing (just as they do anywhere else) and more and more children are becoming sensitive to the active ingredients.

Another reason to lose the Bounce!

 

[MrX]

Static cling

I think the major thing you should do is invest in a dryer with a stainless steel drum rather than an enamelled one. Since we changed over to a Miele I've had no static cling or other problems normally associated with tumble drying.

The clothes come out nice and soft without any softener at all.

Bounce is just a trick to get around poorly designed dryers in my opinion.
It also has an over powering scent too!

I do occasionally use a cap of Comfort Pure (Unilever sensitive fabric conditioner in the UK/Ireland). However, I don't really find it makes all that much of a difference on most items.

I stopped using fabric softener on towels and they're actually far fluffier and more absorbent without it!

 

[launderess]

Not everyone has the option of buying a dryer with a SS drum, Miele or not. Also would be damn well PO'd if chucked a perfectly good dryer for a new one with a SS drum only to find static was still there, and had to use FS anyway.

Bounce like many other fabic softners comes in perfume and dye free versions, so no need to worry about scent over powering.