Poll - Fabric softener used on towels

[sudsmaster]

Robert...

Downy makes a scentless free-and-clear fabric softener... have you tried it? Or do you just prefer the vintage fragrances?

I think Method makes a fragrance free softener as well.

I happen to like the Kirkland Environmentally Friendly plant-based fabric softener. Its fragrance is mostly natural lavender. In the final result it's fairly innocuous.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I just ran out of fabric softener but I did use it on my towels.  I used less than the amount called for, and diluted it in the fabric softener on my Maytag 606.  I've using Arm and Hammer detergent, and it leaves a nice but not overpowering scent.

 

 

[xraytech]

I NEVER use fabric softner on towels, or anything else. I cant stand the horrid smell of the fabric softner or most scented detergents so I go without, and we do have hard water here, but I dont think the towels are crisp. I dont do dryer sheets either

 

[peterh770]

Yes, fabric softener in towels. 1/4 to 1/2 recommended amount. No effect on absorbency.

 

[appnut]

I generally use Snuggle in the ark blue bottle.  I find that Snuggle has a much less waxy build-up than Downey.  Now here's the contradiction:  I recently bought a bottle of some sort of lavender scented downey and have used it on my sheets and towels for the last two towel wash days as well as the sheets. 

 

[labboy]

We use Downy at the minimum recommended dose. We have had no issues with overpowering odor or decrease in absorbancy.

I'll have to try the Kirkland lavender softener when I run out of Downy.

 

[whirlcool]

We use fabric softener mainly to kill the HE chemical dump smell of the new compact Tide detergent we bought. We use about 1/8 of a capful, not much at all.

Other than that we'll also use some Downy April Fresh on the dog beds to make them smell nicer, but once again just a little bit.

 

[gmmcnair]

.Not Anymore...

...didn't notice any absorbency issues when I did. Lately, I tend to use natural soap flakes in the wash and follow up with a light dose of vinegar in the rinse. They're soft and still have some body. Of course, I don't mind crisp towels either and will line dry them when I have the space.

 

[3beltwesty]

Here I about never use fabric softener. The water is so soft none is required at all. It is really only used maybe once every year or two maybe on some new towels; or if somebody vists and "is in to using it".

There are two bottles of it that my mom bought eons ago and she passed away about 20 years ago. I may buy some in a few decades if I ever use up the old stuff. I do some other buying it and ponder why. I do see folks buying too 1/2 dozen bottles of Asprin with 500 tablets each; and also buying a shopping cart full of odd cola drinks too.

My usage is probably a bottle a decade.

Even when I lived in Southern Calif for two decades with really hard water I never was into fabric softeners. I might have bought a few bottles.

I am not into scents like others are too.

I tend to buy expensive towels and use them forever; towels that do not require scented goop to feel soft.

As far as volume of FS bought in the last 50 years; mine is less than suntan lotion; less than shaving cream; less than cleaners to polish kitchen pots and pans. it is about in line with shoe polish.

 

[kevin313]

No fabric softener on towels for me! It retards their absorbing ability - and then I get a filmy feeling on my skin. I don't even like to use dryer sheets when doing towels. A good towwl will remain fairly soft on its own without the use of a softener, I think.

 

[passatdoc]

I never use liquid fabric softener for anything.

 

I use dryer sheets, mainly to reduce static cling. I am aware that wax buildup from dryer sheets can coat the moisture sensor in a dryer and affect its operation. I clean the sensor quarterly with alcohol. I tear my dryer sheets in thirds and use only 1/3 sheet per load. This still kills static cling and the towels come out fairly soft but still absorbent.

 

I buy the Egyptian cotton towels from Costco. I typically buy six of them every three years and they last about 3-4 years, even if laundered weekly. I have very hard water and no water softener.

 

[rayjay]

Most towel manufacturers say: DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER........

Some even print it on the label.

 

[mistereric]

None.

I'm washing towels, washcloths, and bedclothes in hot water with no FS. I want to break oils and waxes, not add them.

I've never used a dryer sheet.

 

[yogitunes]

We have all seen the effects of too much softner in clothes and the film and gunk and build up it leaves in the machines......

BUT....WE know what were doing with this stuff and our machines, we rinse extra if needed, clean out our dispensers after use, and wipe down our machines.....and this doesn't stop there......our homes, clothes, cars, etc. are kept in top shape as needed......yes, we are the exception to the rule, put it blunt we know better.....

makes you wonder what kind of person has a filthy washer and expects to get clean clothes out of it....what kind of cook bakes in a dirty oven, or pot/pan for that reason....its not rocket science.....WE at AW just have the patent on it!....lol

 

[cehalstead]

fabric softener

About 15 years ago, when Purex stopped making StaPuf, I bought twelve bottles of it. I am into the 4th bottle now, using it only on my winter sweatshirts that have polyester in them. Everything else I use, wear or sleep on is 100% cotton and I never use fabric softener for cotton.

 

[dirtybuck]

I went for the longest time without softener, but now, ON OCCASION, I use Cuddle Soft Lavender dryer sheets.

My fabric softener use ended from reading some of the past postings about it. However, I don't see anything wrong with using it intermittently (or is there?).

 

[MrX]

Yes - Lenor "Pure Oxygen"

I always use liquid fabric softener on my towels. Lenor (P&G) "Pure Oxygen" seems to work a charm.

Or, Ecover's fabric softener. It's not too 'gloopy' so it tends not to over-load towels and make them non-absorbent.

I find the key things with towels are:

1) Wash them quite hot and use plenty of detergent.
2) Use Aqua Plus (deep rinse) option.
3) Spin very fast - 1600rpm.
4) Dry and fold immediately while still hot.

Always turns out perfect towels in my Bosch.

 

[~sudsshane]

NuSoft

I have stocked up on the "old" formula, Non Concentrated, "April Fresh" Downy for nostalgia reasons, but, at the moment, I am using NuSoft Liquid Fabric Softener. I am so pleased with this product. It is available here in Florida at certain retailers, but you can also buy it online @ Amazon.com. It smells like a fabric softener should...CLEAN and FRESH. Does a great job on softening also.
And... love the new "Ultra" Final Touch. It smells so much like the vintage Final Touch of yesteryear.

 

[mtn1584]

DOES ANYONE LISTEN WHEN I TALK.........LOL

I LOVE FABRIC SOFTENER, ESPECIALLY SUAVITEL, AND SO DOES MY SPEED QUEEN TOP LOAD WASHER.....AND YES I BABY HER, AND CLEAN HER OUT BECAUSE I KNOW ABOUT THE BUILDUP. BUT LIKE I SAID.......I LOVE SUAVITEL.....HELP LOL!!!!!!
MIKE

 

[mayguy]

I have given up on softener and I don't miss it.. The scents on them gotten so bad, I can't stand smelling some of my customers.

I did buy Crystal softener, and the scent is too strong.. I use maybe a tsp, and refuse to use it on the bed sheets.