Fabric Softener Is Rubbish
We’ve already covered why you should stop using drying wipes – now it’s time to get rid of the next unnecessary step in your laundry routine: fabric softener. I know you love the way your clothes feel! (And the smell.) If you’re a longtime user, you’d be forgiven for thinking that without fabric softener, all your clothes will be stiff and crusty when you take them out of the dryer. But it is not. Let us share the arguments against this commonly used laundry staple and some of the alternatives.
What does fabric softener do to clothes?
Fabric softener, like dryer sheets, doesn’t actually make clothes softer. Rather, he coats them with a waxy film that gives the surface a soft touch. The problem is that the same wax film also reduces the fabric’s water absorption, moisture wicking capacity and, most importantly, flame retardancy . This is why children’s clothes should not be washed with fabric softener. (And what good is soft towels that have lost their ability to perform their main function: to absorb water?)
Fabric softener rejection case
After many washes, the coating builds up and can cause the garment to lose its characteristic texture and warmth ( as is the case with wool ). From a health perspective , the Environmental Protection Working Group notes that some of the main ingredients in fabric softener, including “quats” ( quaternary ammonium compounds ), fragrances, preservatives, dyes, and phthalates , may cause asthma , cause allergies, irritate the skin and potentially disrupt our endocrine system. Over time, the build-up film also makes it harder for water and detergents to penetrate the fabric , making it harder to remove odors and stains. (And speaking of stains, the dyes used in fabric softeners can leave clothes bluish or gray in color.)
What are the alternatives to fabric softener?
Make your own : An effective DIY fabric softener can be found in your pantry. Add a quarter cup of baking soda or half a cup of distilled white vinegar directly to the washing machine drum during the rinse cycle to make clothes not only softer, but brighter too. (According to The Spruce , “the acetic acid in distilled white vinegar is so mild it won’t harm washable fabrics, but strong enough to dissolve the residue (alkali) left by ingredients in soaps and detergents”, resulting in “brighter and crisp colors.” Similarly, baking soda makes whites whiter and colors brighter.)
Aluminum foil balls. While tin foil won’t soften your clothes, it will serve a secondary function of fabric softener to reduce the buildup of static electricity. When clothes fall on top of each other in the dryer, they exchange electrons, leaving some with a positive charge and others with a negative charge. (When the dryer is stopped, the balls with opposite charges adhere to each other.) According to CNET , tin foil balls “remove any buildup of static electricity that can build up on clothes and help keep the clothes separated, which should speed up the drying process.”
Wool dryer balls: where fabric softener gives the illusion of softness, wool dryer balls create real softness. As they bounce off fabrics, they gently soften fibers and separate clothes, creating a more even heat flow for faster drying times . (If you like scented clothes, you can always add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the balls.)
Air Drying: Air drying clothes helps reduce static electricity (not to mention energy costs), reduces fading and heat shrinkage, and extends the life of your clothes.