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Fabric Conditioner

(95 Posts)
Elless Tue 27-Aug-24 10:35:54

When fabric conditioner first became available it did seem to make a difference to a wash and you could smell it. I find it so annoying that you now have to 'boost' the scent with beads or elixir - I've tried both and it doesn't seem to make any difference. I also mixed the elixir with the conditioner but it went really watery and didn't smell much at all!

Harris27 Tue 27-Aug-24 13:15:14

Interesting this I still use it but wondering why after reading this.

TwiceAsNice Tue 27-Aug-24 13:17:49

I hate fabric conditioner and never use it. It smells artificial and I think disgusting in your clothes ad bedding . Personally I don’t think it necessary and it spoils absorbency with towels

MissAdventure Tue 27-Aug-24 13:24:57

I don't see the big deal - use it or don't.
All homes rely on chemicals for washing up, and all sorts.

Then we all out on our lovely perfume...

Siope Tue 27-Aug-24 14:03:16

I don’t wear perfume.

Not from any environmental principles, but because it all smells like cat pee on me.

jusnoneed Tue 27-Aug-24 15:29:21

I stopped using it years ago too. Now I use a non bio washing liquid and occasionally put a scoop of soda crystals in one of the wash cycles, usually the whites.

valdavi Tue 27-Aug-24 15:36:41

I've never used fabric conditioner, used to think it was a waste of money & when we became more solvent, I thought it's one less chemical to get into the water if I don't use it. My MiL used to say it cut down on ironing though, so maybe it's swings & roundabouts environmentally.

PamelaJ1 Tue 27-Aug-24 15:42:12

So who does use it then? I don’t either but there it is on the shelves. Where does it go to?

Astitchintime Tue 27-Aug-24 15:42:57

I make my own fabric conditioner using vegetable gelatine and other ingredients - PM if you want the recipe.
It is kinder to the environment, reduces single use plastics, doesn't harm the waterways and isn't scented with all manner of artificial nasty scents.

MissAdventure Tue 27-Aug-24 15:47:32

PamelaJ1

So who does use it then? I don’t either but there it is on the shelves. Where does it go to?

I use it.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 27-Aug-24 16:01:17

I use it (Comfort, the original blue one)

GrannyGravy13 Tue 27-Aug-24 16:03:51

I did swop to Ecover, and then Sainsbury’s own eco brand for a couple of years, my clothes didn’t seem as clean and my whites were definitely not as white. So back to Persil ams Comfort.

I do use the washing balls for some items still. but never whites.

Allira Tue 27-Aug-24 16:03:53

I sometimes use it to stop static but a plumber told me that it is fabric conditioner that causes mould in the dispenser and also hair conditioner that causes mould to appear very quickly in the shower.

Mt61 Tue 27-Aug-24 16:26:34

White vinegar, since the engineer guy serviced our dryer, sheet of melted, blue fabric conditioner on the floor of the dryer

Mt61 Tue 27-Aug-24 16:34:00

Mt61

White vinegar, since the engineer guy serviced our dryer, sheet of melted, blue fabric conditioner on the floor of the dryer

& apparently super bad for air pump dryers

Sago Tue 27-Aug-24 18:45:17

Why does everything have to be so fragranced?
It’s usually disgusting.

FlexibleFriend Tue 27-Aug-24 18:54:51

I don't use it, I use ariel liquid and soda crystals in varying degrees in every wash. My washing machine never smells and I don't do ironing either, I tumble dry everything for convenience as I got sick of the birds using my washing for target practice.

LadyGracie Tue 27-Aug-24 19:08:32

I use fabric conditioner except in my towels which I like with a bit of texture, I add white vinegar in the final rinse for these.

AskAlice Tue 27-Aug-24 19:13:04

Well I use it because I actually like the softness and slight scent it gives, but it seems I'm in the minority here! I don't use a lot (maybe a tablespoon) and clean my dispensing drawer once a month. Our water here in Herts is appallingly hard and if I don't use it the clothes feel like cardboard. I've tried the white vinegar tip, but it made no difference at all.

I also use professional cleaning crystals in the washing machine and dishwasher every couple of months (they were recommended by an old-time washing machine repair man) and in 44 years we have had two dishwashers and three washing machines - not bad going, I think!

MissAdventure Tue 27-Aug-24 19:14:36

Everyone I know around where I live uses fabric conditioner.

I used to be the one person who didn't.

Witzend Tue 27-Aug-24 19:26:54

Delila

*Witzend*, is there an advantage in putting powder straight into the drum? Doesn’t it dissolve more efficiently as the water flushes it from the dispenser?

Soda crystals go in the drawer. The powder evidently dissolves perfectly well - I’ve never found any lumps, and I’ve been doing this for some years now.

Delila Tue 27-Aug-24 20:10:43

Thanks Witzend - I did wonder about clumps of undissolved powder.

midgey Tue 27-Aug-24 20:37:43

When I was working I had a colleague who could tell who owned the unnamed clothing lost at school!

sazz1 Tue 27-Aug-24 20:45:05

I never use fabric conditioner on towelsbut I do use comfort pure on synthetic clothing to stop the static and clinging
Occasionally I do towels with just a small dash of disinfectant at 50C and no detergent as there's usually enough detergent left in them after washing and drying. Most machines don't rinse very well.

Oreo Tue 27-Aug-24 20:58:24

PamelaJ1

So who does use it then? I don’t either but there it is on the shelves. Where does it go to?

I use it😁
Towels and sheets and anything cotton dry like boards without it, it’s a very hard water area.
I also like bedding to have a flowery scent, lovely 🥰
I only use powder for the actual wash, it keeps the machine cleaner.

Patsy70 Tue 27-Aug-24 21:26:13

I was told by a reliable source that fabric conditioners damage the washing machine, so haven’t used it for years. I use vinegar instead, and also to clean through at a high temperature every few weeks. I only use a liquid detergent directly into the drum. Seems to work.