To Soften, or Not To Soften . . .

[westtexman]

After reading numerous threads about soda ash and other laundry chemicals, I thought I would take a poll to see what my fellow AW.org'ers do with their laundry in terms of softening.

Who here uses softener, and what type is preferred?

Over the past several months, I have been using Downy Free. I typically don't care much for Downy, but the Downy Free seems not to leave that "greasy" feel on my clothing. I typically use less than the normal amount, and I generally use it on every load except for the sheets. On sheets, I wash at a very high temperature with a good European detergent with no FS at all.

I am especially curious to see what everyone here does on towels? I just can't seem to get them soft when using my FL without using some FS. Perhaps it's too much detergent, my hard water, or a combination of the two?

Bryan

 

[jaxsunst]

I use Fabric Softner (Downy, Original Scent) every other week. I only fill the cap to the first line.

 

[launderess]

Generally avoid FS if at all possible. Now and then will use a tiny amount of Downy F&C or Ecover for cotton sateen bed linens, but that is just about far as it goes.

Used to add a small amount of white vinegar to the final rinse for towels and clothing, but find washing with Persil MegaPerls leaves things soft enough on it's own, and rinses cleanly as well, so now even the vinegar has gone by the boards.

 

[toggleswitch]

Some softeners are baciscally wax and scent.

IMHO the waxy build-up and the mold same attracts is not so desirable.

Today's detergents are TOO effective at removing all the natural oils/moisture from natural fibers. The same result can be achieved (as artificailly adding or replacing oil / moisture in the fabric by way of softeners) by simply using less detergent.

Too much detergent begets the need for too much softener which causes the need for yet more detergent.........

Silicone based suds-killers /anti-foaming agensts (for say rug shampooers) are an OIL so again same thing applies; less detergent means less need to add back an oil.

Detergent manufacturers want to sell detergent, many packages give directions that I'd say leads to over-dosing. Now that the American detergent industry is in a state of crisis over the conversion to front-loaders (which need less detergent)and will lead to a drop in demand for product, don't expect manufacturers to property guide as to the dosage for those machines until EVERYONE catches on (fogure a decade) about how much less a front-loader really needs.

 

[pulsator]

I LOVE Downy April Fresh liquid!!! I usually double the dosing, however, to get everything extra soft! I have never had any problems with absorbancy from my towels and they are soft and fluffy as can be! However, I absolutely hate mixing detergent and fabric softener, I generally will rinse things until the water comes clear then I'll add the Downy. Mom doesn't like using a lot of Downy though, she usually uses half the amount suggested, but when she gets ahold of MY towels, she doesn't like to let go! lol

 

[zipdang]

I usually use softener on shirts and pants that will be ironed, as it seems to make them press a little smoother. I also use it on clothes that have pet hair stuck to them, since it helps eliminate the static cling so cat and dog hair comes off easier in the dryer. I rarely use it on bed linens, and never use it on table linens or bath towels.

My favorite softener is Ecover liquid. It has a light scent and doesn't leave things greasy feeling. I also like UK Comfort Pure. Every once in a while I'll use a little April Fresh Downy, since my mom has used it for years and the scent still reminds me of my childhood.

 

[~sudsshane]

I Use...

Final Touch, "Spring Fresh" scent as fabric softener. It leaves a very light,fresh scent that is not too overpowering. It also is a great bargain at $ 3.99 for a large bottle.
I also bought a small bottle recently of Downy Pure Essentials "Lemon Verbena" scent. I am not overly impressed with this product and won't buy it again..too stong.

 

[mrboilwash]

I soften every load but only very sparingly to avoid a greasy touch and absorbancy loss. I also adjust the dose to the size of the load precisely.
My favorites are yellow Lenor and pink Vernel.

Correct me if I`m wrong but I thought silicone oil is rather liquid plastic than oil, at least it has nothing to do with fatty acids and can not go ranzid.
I also thought any modern FS contain only cationic sufactants as softening agents which might be synthesized from fats but there is neither fat nor wax in FS, ist there ?

 

[Washinsheen]

I just have to use original Downy in every rinse! I love the smell, and the softness it provides. Whenever I go to someone's house where they don't use fabric softener, I can tell in a second from how their towels feel. It's like drying off and exfoliating at the same time!!

 

[oxydolfan1]

"I also bought a small bottle recently of Downy Pure Essentials "Lemon Verbena" scent. I am not overly impressed with this product and won't buy it again..too stong."

I agree, shane....overpriced for what it offers me, but I do like that Tide Lemon Verbena liquid, though.

Westtexman....I use liquid fabric softener WITH dryer sheets, but I only use half the smallest recommended amount in my soft water.

Like shane, I also use the Final Touch liquid, but it is increasingly unavailable in my area. Try the store brands, too...they work surprisingly well for the price (although you do have to use a larger amount for the same results!)

I actually like Downy Free. I've tried the Tahitian Waterfall, Moonlight Garden, and Cashmere Silk (!) variants, but was also not impressed....again, there is NO fragrance left whatsoever, when the loads come out of the dryer.

I like Downy Whitening for whites but, again, it is increasingly unavailable in my area.

My skin doesn't seem to like the Snuggle liquids.

I actually believe the best-quality product on the market right now is the new Suavitel Jasmine/Bergamot (orange) Aromatherapy product....believe it or not, that and the other Aromatherapy "flavors" are much more understated than the original scents, which I like but are definitely obnoxious and overpowering, both on your clothes and from the dryer vent.

It's the only product that seems to cast any leftover suds in the rinse water out like a spell and leaves clothes, towels, sheets, etc. soft, static-free and absorbent, without being limp and waxy.

Happily, they've brought out a "baby" formula and a formula for colors as well, but even they smell a bit strong for me.

(Note to P&G: Why not have an end to silliness, and simply bring back your excellent Downy "Enhancer" product, that was superb, maintain quality with April Fresh and maybe two other scents? There are only so many labels that a customer can read, and only so many bottle caps to unscrew! Jeez!)

Has anyone tried the new Purex Sensitive product?

The only one-step detergent with softener that works in my soft water is Tide with Downy liquid, but I don't like the scent.

The dryer sheets all seem to be the same, with Bounce having a slight edge in softening, but it does leave a waxy buildup over time.

Oh, if you have towels and don't have enough for a separate load, it's okay to wash 'em with a softener rinse. If they start to feel funny, you can always do a separate towel wash without softener to remove any residue...it comes right off.

Good luck, and sorry for the thesis.

(When I get emotionally overwrought over fabric softeners and waxy yellow buildup, I like to think "Homeland Security" thinks I'm communicating in code, lol!)

 

[oxydolfan1]

"My favorites are yellow Lenor and pink Vernel."

Our local "upscale" home store now carries the Persil WITH Vernel detergent/softener combination liquid!

Couldn't reach it to open and sniff, though (damn ladders!)

 

[appnut]

Since the wash-in at Glenn's October 2006, I've been using all the leftovers that were left--Suivitel and Snuggle--all Mexican versions. I've love them in my Frigidaire front loader. Until about 3 months ago, was still pretty heavy-handed with the FS liquids. Have finally learned I don't need to put so much in. The only thing I've over-softened now are my jeans. I'll run out in the next 3 months or so and I'll have to buy softener for the first time in over a year. I also used a bottle of Essentials Lavender and Vanilla on my towels nad sheets ever since Steve 1-18 bought some while he was here last year. I loved that on the linens.

 

[sudsmaster]

I try not to use softener, especially on towels.

So far I've found two detergents that leave softer results than others: Safeway Select HE Ultra Free and Clear Liquid, and Persil powder.

Mechanical drying also helps to soften fabrics - I think it must help dislodge any soda ash encrustation left on the fibers.

Aside to Toggles - there shouldn't be any natural oils in cotton or cotton blend fabrics. Fabric and finished goods manufacturers do add quite a bit of softener to their products, so they have a very soft feel upon purchase. Apparently a lot of this is a mineral called Bentonite. Some detergents contain bentonite, I have tried one, Lirio, but haven't found that it leaves things any softer than a good liquid HE detergent. Probably because the bentonite gets rinsed away before the final spin. One of these days I'll try to score some laundry-grade Bentonite and add it to the final rinse.

 

[laundromat]

I only use softner on my pants and shirts.Never on my underware,socks,towels or washcloths.It takes away the absorbancy needed for perspiration and drying off your body or dishes.

 

[washernut]

I used to use softener in everything. But, now I only use it in my towels and bedding. Usually 1/2 cap of Suavitel (yellow) and a cap full of water. If I don't mix it with water it doesn't all rinse out of the dispenser in my front loader.
Bill

 

[zipdang]

Has anyone tried the new Purex Sensitive product?

I bought a bottle of Ultra Purex Soft Sensitive Skin with almond milk and aloe. Spotted it at Target, and for $2.99 figured why not try it. To my surprise it smells very similar to UK Comfort Pure. Haven't tried it yet, but will test it out soon.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

I use Snuggle:

Liquid Fabric Softener with White Lavender & Sandlewood Scent, as my favorite and basically only Brand that I will use. I've had real good luck with everything that I've washed and used Fabric Softener on, including my Bath Towels.

I tend to not wash some of my Towels very soon, after multiple use, so when I do wash them, I use Pine-Sol Blue Liquid Sparkling Wave Scent and it softens my Towels, but doesn't leave the nasty smell of original Pine-Sol on my Laundry items. I put the Pine-Sol in the Dispenser, where the Bleach would normally be put, on my LG Combo, or any Washers that I'm using, with Automatic Dispensers.

Peace, Fun Laundry Times and great Friends, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[chachp]

I use Downy - Lavender scent.

I soften everything but my towels and cleaning cloths. I used to soften my towels but my SO didn't like them softened so I stopped. He said they felt slimy but I don't agree. If I were alone I'd soften everything but the cleaning cloths and rags, etc.

 

[westyslantfront]

My favorite is Ensueno green and my second is April Fresh Downy. I never use any fabric softener in towels and it adversely affects the absorbtion of the towels.

Ross