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Fabric conditioners - are they a con?

(112 Posts)
Rodborough49 Tue 30-May-23 12:24:04

Do we really need fabric conditioners? Our grannies never used them and probably relied on washing having a good blow on the line for that bit of extra "something". I am just wondering if they are another of the things we are being persuaded we have to have with yet another plastic bottle. Are there conditioner fans out there?

Parsley3 Tue 30-May-23 14:40:42

I haven't used it for a long time and I don't miss it at all. I wash woollens in Woolite to keep them soft but apart from that I just use Pink Stuff detergent. I do live in a soft water area so that might make a difference.

Caramme Tue 30-May-23 14:43:36

I read they are full of tiny plastics so stopped using them.

Parsley3 Tue 30-May-23 14:49:32

I once spilled fabric conditioner on a rug and I couldn't get rid of it. It gave off such an awful smell that eventually I had to throw the rug away. That is when gave up using it.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 30-May-23 15:30:33

I use fabric conditioner (ecover) on all laundry apart from microfibre cleaning cloths.

pascal30 Tue 30-May-23 16:07:02

Itried white vinegar but now use Ecover Jasmine as I can't bear the smell of most conditioners

pascal30 Tue 30-May-23 16:08:29

sorry meant Gardenia

M0nica Tue 30-May-23 16:15:31

I have never used fabric softener and have never noticed any difference in the 'feel' of, even towels, that have or have not been washed with conditioner.

What stops me using them is the artificial scents that these products have, i find they can make me feel queazy or trigger migraine. I like washing products to have as little scent as possible.

MayBee70 Tue 30-May-23 16:15:50

My boss used to laugh at me for using conditioner( he was very Scrooge like) but I’ve realised he was right. I now use vinegar if I use anything. Mind you, a few years ago my brand new car was covered in dried on sap from a nearby pine tree. I was distraught: thought the car had been ruined. Google recommended fabric conditioner so at one o’clock in the morning I used it and it worked! I was so relieved.

wildswan16 Tue 30-May-23 16:50:57

I've never found it necessary. I use vinegar for the towels and that's it. I'm sure they must all be dreadful for the environment.

FlexibleFriend Tue 30-May-23 17:12:15

I tumble so no need for fabric conditioners.

heath480 Tue 30-May-23 17:34:44

Stoped using fabric conditioner years ago,not noticed any difference.

BlueBelle Tue 30-May-23 17:44:45

Waste of money, not necessary, just artificial smells

Callistemon21 Tue 30-May-23 17:53:16

Norah

Oopsadaisy1

I use a detergent that has its own ‘ built in’ conditioner, but MrOops quite likes having his skin scraped off with Washing Line dried towels. me? Not so much

I so hate line dried towels - tumble dry every time!

On a good day ours get a bashing in the tumble drier for 15 minutes then are hung on the line.
It seems to work well.

I dislike using conditioner on towels, bedlinen.
Might occasionally use it for jumpers.

Mollygo Tue 30-May-23 18:09:29

Soupline, not on towels.
Personal choice.

Kim19 Tue 30-May-23 18:17:07

Thanks Fanny. Didn't know that. Don't mind a rough towel myself but tend to do fluffy for guests.

Scribbles Tue 30-May-23 18:25:50

I don't like the smell of fabric conditioner and they clag up the washing machine dispenser drawer with black gunge so I stopped using them years ago.
I was in a supermarket last week where some fabric conditioner must have leaked or been spilt. The smell was overwhelming and I had to flee to an area several aisles away, coughing and spluttering and with streaming eyes. Horrible!

V3ra Tue 30-May-23 18:48:58

On a good day ours get a bashing in the tumble drier for 15 minutes then are hung on the line. It seems to work well.

Callistemon21 I do it the other way round.
Dry them on the clothes horse, in the garden if possible, then half an hour in the tumble dryer.
Softens them up a bit and makes sure they're properly dry.

NotAGran55 Tue 30-May-23 19:10:18

I’ve never used it . I don’t know what the purpose of it is to be honest.
I line dry everything and tumble towels for 10 minutes afterwards to fluff them up.

ParlorGames Tue 30-May-23 19:15:29

I never use it on towels/tea towels/face clothes as it reduces the absorbency and they also go sour when damp.

I did read recently that white vinegar softens laundry without any fake scent which can be overpowering.

hollysteers Tue 30-May-23 19:16:33

Never use it. I’m ‘careful’ with my money at home, but throw it around socialising.
I like a rough towel and I believe a plumber said fc was very bad for the washing machine.

Callistemon21 Tue 30-May-23 19:49:51

hollysteers

Never use it. I’m ‘careful’ with my money at home, but throw it around socialising.
I like a rough towel and I believe a plumber said fc was very bad for the washing machine.

A plumber told me that if you see mould in the washing machine compartments where the powder and conditioner go, or in the shower, it's caused by the conditioner.

Shinamae Tue 30-May-23 20:02:33

I haven’t used fabric conditioner for many many years I’ve put white vinegar and a dash of floral disinfectant in the conditioner drawer
I also sometimes add a scoop of soda crystals.
Line dry my towels, but finish off with five minutes in the tumble dryer.

M0nica Tue 30-May-23 20:42:34

Callistemon21 I have never used fabric condtioner, but I still have mould in my washing machine.

I use WM cleaner every few weeks and put the soap container in the DW, and bleach if necessary.

AreWeThereYet Tue 30-May-23 20:50:00

I don't get much mould in the drawer, it only seems to happen now and again but I just leave it in the sink with hot water and a dishwasher tablet to soak for an hour or so. If it was really bad I might leave it overnight.

nanny2507 Tue 30-May-23 20:50:29

I love a line dried towel.