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Fabric conditioners - are they a con?

(111 Posts)
crazyH Tue 30-May-23 13:08:08

I agree - fabric conditioners are a waste of money - I’m on the last cupful and that’s it !

AreWeThereYet Tue 30-May-23 13:05:44

Haven't used fabric conditioner for about 15 years. I use vinegar instead. Fabric conditioner is bad for towels and microfibre cloths anyway, as it leaves a coating that stops them being absorbent. I also put soda crystals in the wash to soften the water which means I can reduce the amount of washing liquid.

tanith Tue 30-May-23 12:56:10

Never add it to towels but do use it for most other laundry everything is line dried except in Winter if it’s very wet out. It’s just personal preference nobody has to use it.

grandtanteJE65 Tue 30-May-23 12:52:56

I haven't used them since the 1970s as the ones you could get then set up an allergic reaction in me.

I use vinegar instead when I wash woollen garments in the machine otherwise I don't bother. I don't use hair conditioner either, but my own blend of rose water and vinegar.

So yes, to me all these conditioners are just smart ways of getting money out of us.

Juliet27 Tue 30-May-23 12:43:30

Isn’t it generally advised not to use conditioner regularly on towels as it decreases absorbency?
I quite like line dried towels…you can exfoliate as well as dry yourself! ☺️

fiorentina51 Tue 30-May-23 12:34:33

I use fabric conditioner if I'm washing clothing made from synthetic fibres. I found it helps to reduce static and that awful clinging.

rosie1959 Tue 30-May-23 12:30:48

I use them as they do improve the softness after drying outside but we live in a very hard water area

Norah Tue 30-May-23 12:29:36

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!

twinnytwin Tue 30-May-23 12:28:24

I used to use them but decided not to bother buying any several years ago and not found any difference to my washing.

Oopsadaisy1 Tue 30-May-23 12:26:12

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

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?