Fabric conditioners - are they a con?

Sara1954

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.

You can surely just put water in the softener holder? It won't affect the washing.

Use it on man-made fibres to stop static. Towels are half dried on the line then finish in the tumble dryer

I do use it, because otherwise my son complains that his socks are "crusty". I also line dry towels, as I prefer them rough to exfoliate.

I read somewhere that a cloth wrung out with diluted fc is amazing for wiping skirting boards. Prevents dust apparently!

In summer when the washing can be pegged out thefresh air smell is lovely. In winter fabric conditioner is added, it helps erase some of the creases . It’s added if the clothes are to be stored. The water here is soft so no scratchy towels. I see people in the shops sniffing the fabric conditioner, it seems to be more the smell than the other properties. It’s quite a saving when it’s dropped from the shopping list.

FC not good for towels as stated above. also gums up washing machine drawer. Be careful with vinegar though which can also affect machine hoses/gasket if used regularly.

I like my clothes to smell nice, so I add a scented oil designed for the purpose, I use a tumble drier because my mobility restricts me from hanging on a line. The tumble dryer fluffs towels, without the conditioner taking away the absorption properties

You can use white vinegar in your wash and this softens, doesn’t make the clothes smell and cleans the washer and costs pennies.

I stopped using conditioner years ago as I found the smell became stale when the laundry was in storage for a while. I really don’t like those synthetic perfumes that are in everything, you can even buy perfumed granules to add to the sickly smell. I use Smol laundry capsules which are low on chemicals but even their very light scent is too much for me. Fortubately is doesn’t hang around.

I rarely use FC as I realised that it leaves a sticky black deposit in the dispenser drawer which I have to remove and wash out periodically.

this very morning I removed the dispenser drawer from the washer and into the dishwasher with other plastics which are washed once a month when the water filter jug is changed etc.
on a 50deg 50min wash with a Finish allinone tablet.
The fc section was still rather slimy so I ended up applying a toothbrush and white vinegar to remove this.
I squirt white vinegar (29p from Tesco or Asda) into the dw but not the washing machine as I read that it will perish the rubber gasket.

towels when possible line dried, thin ones I can remove leg hair with they are so rough, but smell good.
I discovered Waitrose or Sainsbury delicates wash, both smell lovely, gentle on clothes, Persil Bio for linen sheets, t towels, Tesco own non bio powder for regular towels, dark bedding, much cheaper, no complaints.
I used Lidl/Aldi white conditioner which smelt lovely - now I don’t use it at all and don’t miss it.

Be careful with vinegar though which can also affect machine hoses/gasket if used regularly.

I was told that too GranJan60 when I started using vinegar and it worried me a bit. But my old Zanussi washing machine lasted 15 years after I started using vinegar, before dying a death which had nothing to do with damaged seals or gaskets. I think that white goods are only designed to last a certain number of years anyway now and the super duper electronics are more likely to fail first, like my Zanussi.

My Gran had drawers and airing cupboard full of bedding with lavender/bags between the sheets and pillow cases, no fabric conditioner in those days, but she ironed everything which would soften the article.
She taught me to fold heavy cotton or linen sheets on the line, then turn them after a while, worth the effort or they would dry too quickly, stiff and unmanageable.

I do use a little conditioner on some things like cardigans. I use soda crystals and a very small amount of detergent and mostly 30 degree wash apart from towels and tea towels a 50 degree wash. I feel that the action of the water cleans things without a lot of chemicals.
Since we are now advised to wash at a lower temperature Dettol have brought out a disinfect to put in the machine. I suppose some people will waste their money same with these pods. not everything needs the same amount of detergent.

Jaxjacky

I’ve never used conditioners, full of chemicals, or owned a tumble dryer, which as well as having a hefty carbon footprint spews microfibres into the air.

Ditti, JJ. And I actually like line dried clothes - everything smells fresh and natural, and even though I live in a VERY hard water area, the towels do their job perfectly.

Don’t throw your $$$ away!

Fabric softeners are not good for your clothes and your appliances. Yes, prolonged use of softeners coat the fibers of your towels, sheets, all clothes and makes them less absorbent besides wearing out the fibers of everything (and the life of your garments.) They also make clothes look dingy and droopy after a while.

They leave a film/waxy coat on the inside of your washer/dryer. Bad.

I quit using these products when I was in my 30’s… I have towels that are 40 yrs old - most absorbent, soft,’ with little fading. Sheets the same! Love it.

The SECRET to bright, white, cleanest clothes…? Give every load a SECOND RINSE! It gets rid of dirty soapy residue. Great for hanging outside or in the dryer.
It’s a good day to hang outside here!
Cheers!
USA Gundy

No fabric conditioner
Line dry if at all possible, including towels

Our Grannies probably didn't have loads of plastic in clothing, bedding etc. making them full of static.

I dry everything in the tumble dryer, so it's completely pointless using a fabric conditioner because it would just evaporate as the clothes etc are thrown around the machine.

Vinegar ruined the rubber gasket sealing the door and we ended up getting a new machine - it went hard and misshapen . Use sensitive fabric conditioner only occasionally.

Hetty58

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’m with you there Hetty, I hate the synthetic smell. Line dry whenever possible and only use the tumble drier very occasionally, expensive and bad for the environment.

Gundy
You’re right, rinsing is far more important than the washing.
I was taught that in home economics class late 50s.

I’ve stopped using fabric conditioner but now use laundry cleanser for the fresh scent - not sure whether it does actually kill bacteria, but the washing smells nice!

Isn’t fabric conditioner supposed to make some fabrics more flammable?

Years ago I was advised by a dermatologist that I should use fabric conditioner as it helps to remove detergent residue from fabrics, we live in a soft water area so I only use a small amount of each. I did try going without fabric softener on a few occasions but my eczema was triggered