OT: Fabric softener

[arminnie]

I have been doing laundry for decades now and I don't use fabric softener. I see all of the ads and wonder what I am missing. Can somebody explain what it does. (I know this sounds stupid)

Years ago when polyester was very popular I used to put drier sheets in to remove static, but most of my clothes now are cotton (jeans and tshirts - I'm retired).

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[Margie J]

Fabric softener makes clothes and other items feel smoother, first of all. Items like cotton shirts will be easier to iron since there will be fewer wrinkles to start and the iron will glide better. A few specialty softeners out on the market claim to do this better than standard softeners.

Softener manufacturers also claim they make fabrics more absorbant. This would be important for towels, for example. It may have something to do with both relaxing and fluffing up the structure of the fabric. They will feel softer on the skin too.

 

[rhiansmom]

I honestly don't know but I like how it makes my clothing smell!

 

[pattyT]

I use the dryer sheets for the smell -
and I think it helps things not 'stick' together - like towels!

I also use dryer sheets to go over the tv screen , pictures etc...it picks the dust up instead of making it fly all over the place!

 

[Spinning]

I use dryer sheets all the time! They get rid of static...
I hate the smell so I get unscented!
Patty you should put them in with the towels....it makes them less absorbent or so they say..
I also use them to wipe down the Tv smooth over the sofa (this new Micro fiber is great but talk about static! YIKES!) I read somewhere they work great if you take 2 of them (used ones) and put them on your swifter! Great for picking up dog hair.

 

[rhiansmom]

Another use for used dryer sheets -

Place one in a pan that has food baked on - fill pan with water and let sit overnight. It will take the food off the sides of the pan.

Don't know how that works either but it does.

 

[Swan]

rhiansmom, thank you for that info. I am going to try it.

I use Downy sheets for the smell and to keep my socks from sticking to my shirts. My mother used to use the liquid Downy that goes in the washer, but I always miss the rinse cycle. The sheets are easier for me.

 

[Margie J]

You might find some of these articles interesting. They cover the basics of softener use to other aspects of laundry care:


Downy Articles

 

[JulianneP]

i don't use them for laundry becuase we have really senstive skin but... I do use them to calm my daugters static hair in the winter especially after she takes a hat off. My DS gym teacher use them to rub down some of the mats in winter to help with the shock too.

 

[arminnie]

Thanks so much for the information. I'm going to try it - wouldn't hurt my tshirts to be smoother.

I've been wanting to ask someone this for a long time. I am so glad I thought to post this on DIS. Everyone here is so helpful.

 

[pas2]

I use Downy free because we have sensitive skin and the scented kinds also block me up. I use it on everything except towels and jeans (use dryer sheets cuz liquid softner tends to leech the dye out of jeans).

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I learned this way back when in my textile classes in college and the information hasn't changed.

One of the reasons that dryer sheets do what they do is because they have a petroleum based byproduct in them. When used in loads of permanent press - blouses, dress pants, etc - that are made out of polyester (also a petroleum based product) a reaction can occur that ends up in molecules of the two "bonding" together. This can result in greasy looking spots on your clothes. This is particularly the case with those shiny or flat finish items such as chinos/khakis. Doesn't seem to be a problem when the poly has been cut and spun to resemble cotton such as in sweatshirts, etc.

I use dryer sheets in everything except my perma press items. Jeans, towels, underwear, etc - you bet!

Deb

 

[cinmell]

I love Downey fabric softner because our clothes feel softer and smell nicer when I use it.

 

[Disneyaholic]

I use fabric softener on everything except towels; I have heard that it reduces the absorbency.

I use Downy liquid, because I have heard that there is something in the dryer sheets that can clog up your dryer vents.

After reading all these posts, I think I will have to check out the Downy site to see if these things are true or not!

BUT, I use a Downy "ball", so I don't have to worry about missing the rinse cycle. (I would probably actually get there on time about 1% of the time, I think!) You just put the fabric softener in and drop it in the washer at the start of the cycle. The centrifugal force of the spin cycle pops the top off so that the Downy is there for the rinse cycle! I love it!