fabric softener: yes or no?

[NumberFour]

One of my childminded children left her school jumper here last Friday so I washed it over the weekend for her. During the week she commented that her jumper smelt "horrible" since I washed it.

I gree that the softener I use has rather a strong perfume. But what do you think of using fabric softener? Do you or don't you? If you don't, are your clothes not a bit squeaky and scratchy?

[cornsilk]

I do. Chn can be so tactful can't they?

[isaidno]

I don't use it, mostly due to ds excema.
Clothes are a bit harder to iron if they've been line dried.

[binkythebullet]

I do - but am trying to give up the habit as it's a bit of an unnecessary really.

[mamadiva]

I don't and haven't done for a good 2 years now. Again due to skin conditions but I find if I use a liquid detergent it makes the clothes just as soft TBH.

[NumberFour]

Thanks for your replies, Everyone. I have done a load today without softener and I think I prefer it with softener after all. Hmm Not sure yet - the jury is still out.

Thanks again for answering one enormously fascinating query!!!

[CaptainFlameSparrowWifeOfJack]

I'm about 50/50.

I bought a new softener, or powder or summat this time though and it is stupidly strong smelling.

[ByTheSea]

I do. I love the smell of spring or summer breeze. {{shrug}}

[muggglewump]

I use it but it's Asda Smartprice. I do like the clothes being softer and I like the smell. It's not too strong but I find that with all the value scented products, wheter they be for washing clothes, dishes or yourself!

[Podrick]

I like fabric softener but you don't need to choose a heavily perfumed one unless you want to...

[Slouchy]

Never use it. Clothes feel fine. Smell outdoorsy and fresh (we line dry whenever possible).

Ditch fbric con. Vile petro-chemicals next to your skin? Yuk.

[nickytwotimes]

I use it - supermarket's own 'Sensitive' one, because I love the smell. Some smell a bit strong, but it's personal preference.

Bloody cheek saying soemthing you washed smelt horrible, though!

[moondog]

No it's minging. Nasty artificail smells. I have to rewash stuff people give me if it's been done in it too.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

My mum uses the febreeze lenor, my DD loves the smell and sneaks it in the shopping basket.

Think it is very strong smelling but does make clothes soft. But would rather not use it.

However towels with fabric conditioner are awful, really affects the absorbency. Plus like my towels a bit rough (oo-er missus)

[expatinscotland]

no. it coats textile fibres with a petro-based chemical/perfumes. NOT good for many fabrics, particularly fleece, wool, towelling.

a waste of money, too.

if you find your clothes cruncy after line-drying iron it or put it in the dryer for a few minutes before pegging it out.

[Bridie3]

Never use it. I agree with expatinscotland--a few minutes in the dryer AFTER pegging out also helps soften laundry.

Though I take my hat off to her because I suspect that drying clothes outdoors in Scotland is harder than in the south of England. (Mind you, perhaps not this year, because our in-laws in the north of Scotland had much less rain than we did.)

[expatinscotland]

have had to use the dryer very often here this summer, Bridie, mainly because this house (rented) is VERY damp and we don't want to turn the heaters on because the gas is LPG in here and not cheap.

once the heat goes on we can dry on racks indoors.

no fabric softener, though.

yuk.

a waste of money, too.

[Guadalupe]

Horrible stuff. If it smells of flowers then they're great fat ugly plastic glowing ones.

My house smells for hours after my mum leaves.

[Guadalupe]

slight exaggeration maybe, but she always smells 'alpine fresh' or 'summer meadows'.

[expatinscotland]

wasps and other biting insects love it, and you and your kids, too, if your clothes smell of fabric softener.

[expatinscotland]

wasps and other biting insects love it, and you and your kids, too, if your clothes smell of fabric softener.

[mogs0]

I don't use it due to ds having mild eczema. I've never noticed the clothes being any less soft. I put my towels in the dryer for a bit then hang them on the airer to finish off and they're lovely and soft!!

[WendyWeber]

Comfort Pure has a lovely faint smell; so does Sainsburys Gentle.

Neither any good for eczema though I suppose but I do like things to be soft.

[FrayedKnot]

Don;t, and haven;t for years.

Clothes washed with fabric conditioner feel greasy to me.

[hopelesshousewife]

We use Comfort Pure, have been indoctrinated as a child!

Has anyone used the dryer ball things which are meant to soften laundry, or do they damage the clothes?