Fabric conditioners - are they a con?

Years ago my mum in law told me she used a drop of essential oil in the conditioner drawer. I've given it a go with Sandalwood and the washing smells lovely - especially when it's also hung on the outside line to dry.

I have never used it for years.IMO it damages washers.

I keep hearing about the damage to washing machines, but the person who installed ours said that it was not cleaning the machine that caused the damage, so I clean the dispenser drawer regularly, and run a washing machine cleaner from time to time. So far, so good.

AreWeThereYet

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.

Oh, good idea!
They're not easy to clean, I'll try that, thank you.

Whenever our washing machine is not in use I leave the powder drawer open so it never moulds. I do have a separate utility though so not walking past machine much.

My new washing machine dispenses it automatically, so it’s either everything or not at all. But I have noticed I’m using a lot less, so obviously my washing machine is a bit more frugal with it than I was.

I never used fabric conditioner until recently. I decided to try it to see if it made towels softer. It hasn't worked. So I'll stop buying it now.

mumofmadboys

Whenever our washing machine is not in use I leave the powder drawer open so it never moulds. I do have a separate utility though so not walking past machine much.

Yes, we have but the machine is near the door so I'm bound to keep bashing into it!

I'm allergic so use white vinegar instead. I can't understand why people want their clothes coated with chemicals and perfumed. Clean clothes, without any smell (good or bad) seem fine to me.

I quite agree Hetty58

There was a thread a couple of years ago recommending not to use fabric conditioner as it is harmful to the machine, and also to keep drawer open when not in use. I have followed this ever since, also adding white vinegar to some washes and for cleaning on a hot cycle each month. As a result, my machine never smells. So many useful tips on gransnet!

Fabric conditioner isn’t exactly new is it? - The original was Comfort (as far as I recall)

I distinctly remember my Mum using it in the twin tub final rinse, diluted in a jug. It must have been more for softening element then, as the “perfume” was mild. That was late 60s/early 70s

Things tended to “come out” of the spinner looking a bit strangled then and then came the arrival of nylon (shriek!) and bri-nylon( double shriek !!) along with it’s friendCrimplene 😝

We got a front loader then and then the tumbler.

That’s when Lenor first took off and the choices of “perfumes”have increased year on year ever since
Ps. Whatever happened to Dreft - it kept woollens as soft as a lamb, it also made me sneeze when doing a hand-wash

I bought Dreft this morning as it was on offer in Waitrose.

I used to wash my bed sheets in liquid detergent and it smelled nice for at least a week. Now it maybe lasts a couple of nights. I think the manufacturers are putting less perfume in the product because, not only do they want us to spend our hard earned cash on fabric conditioners but those expensive little ball things you throw in the drum with the wash as well. They really do take the proverbial

Yes, they are a con and a waste of money. All packaged in plastic and full of chemicals.

I have been using some liquid for a while now, it’s called Laundry Cleanser rather oddly because it goes into the fabric softener compartment.

The first lot was from “ fabulosa” I think then I bought some from Aldi.

Rather pleasant aroma (sniff test first) it is meant for low temperature washes such as recommended for synthetics which I’ve noticed can stink,

I think with low temp washes quick drying is the key whereas natural fabrics such as towels, sheets etc if washed hot will stay fresh even when not hung up until next day.

Only use it on my woolies and bedding for my spare bed after use and put away for the next time I have visitors to stay.

Never use it on towels as I read years ago it stops them absorbing water.

Fabric softeners contain lanolin ( at least some do). So you can't use it on teatowels or any cloths you will be cleaning windows with - it would be like smearing oil all over the windows. I do a machine full of cleaning cloths every few weeks and wash them at 90° with only soda crystals then line dry them.

I haven't used softener for ages and am quite honestly quite amazed that it is still produced and sold. I do however use the stuff which disinfects the washing and goes in the compartment for softener. Only use this when there are socks in the wash, as a 30° wash won't get rid of any fungal infections which may have affected our feet.

I used to use gallons of it . I loved the smell !

Then , I read about it coating towels and reducing the absorbancy .

I put the towels in a tub of hot water and watched a lot of residue come out .
I rinsed them in vinegar infused water .

These days , I use fabric softener on cardigans and jumpers .

I try to avoid chemicals and so I use laundry nuts or a laundry egg.

Parsley3 I haven’t seen dreft for several years . Is it still in the green box

I used to tumble dry towels but my tumble dryer started tripping the electrics, then with the price of electricity we have stopped using it.

There are lots of things people buy unnecessarily. I use limescale remover as I'm in a hard water area but when visiting family in Lancashire where I grew up I noticed the supermarket shelves were well stocked with it. Surely no-one needs it when the water is so soft! I do still use fabric softener but not on towels so they are a bit rough when not tumble dried.

I remember Gran used to put a Dolly Blue in the tub to improve whites.

I have used softeners on pure cotton duvet covers but they don't seem to make much difference to them as regards ironing so I don't bother now.
I stayed with two of my children during our renovation last year and they both use those "all-in-one" capsules. Quite a few of my clothes really suffered, my t-shirts went into holes in places where they rub when you wear them. I believe that the softeners actually weaken the fibres in the fabric, particularly those made of organic cotton it appears. I gave them all a thorough wash in a normal detergent and the holes stopped appearing.
The same thing happened to my favourite towel when I used an "all-in-one" detergent some years ago.

And apparently softeners aren't only bad for towels but also for clothes containing Lycra or similar stretchy fibres. So no use for socks with stretchy tops or any garment containing synthetic elastic.