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AIBU?

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Original poster

How much fabric softener is unreasonable?

85 replies

FamilyofTrees · 19/04/2025 08:32

I bought something off vinted and it literally smells like it's been soaked in fabric softener. It smells lovely, but so intense! It's a baby carrier so not something I'm planning on washing again because it's clearly clean and they're a pain to wash.

I use fabric softener as per the instructions and generally find I can't even smell it on my laundry (which I don't mind tbh. No smell is clean to me.)

Do you think I'm using it wrong and you should be able to smell the softener, or did the vinted seller use way too much?

OP posts:
andtheworldrollson · 19/04/2025 10:29

LoafofSellotape · 19/04/2025 10:16

You can use vinegar to soften clothes of you don't want to use FC. Depends where you live, I didn't use to need it and then we moved to a hard water area and we definitely need something.

You can get things based on bicarbonate of soda that don’t smell but can help and are much cheaper ( a big green packet in the laundry aisle at Sainsburys) can’t recall the detail as it’s sone time ago

Original poster
FamilyofTrees · 19/04/2025 10:27

I'll update on whether a normal wash (with a bit of vinegar in the FC compartment of the drawer) and drying on the line outside is enough to get rid of the strong smell. If not that is pretty concerning!

OP posts:
Portakalkedi · 19/04/2025 10:24

Any is too much, vile unnecessary stuff and made from animal fat. I would think overuse of it might make it more difficult to get rid of stink due its greasy nature. Maybe soak in solution of washing soda, vinegar?

AlteredStater · 19/04/2025 10:20

I absolutely hate the smell of fabric conditioner and never use it. Ever since I had Covid I find it's even worse, I feel physically ill if I smell it. It's very hard to wash out of certain fabrics. You could always try vinegar and see if that helps.

LoafofSellotape · 19/04/2025 10:16

You can use vinegar to soften clothes of you don't want to use FC. Depends where you live, I didn't use to need it and then we moved to a hard water area and we definitely need something.

Rusalina · 19/04/2025 10:11

Whenever I smell something scented with fabric conditioner/scent boosters/whatever other bollocks they’ve invented, my immediate assumption is that they’re trying to mask the smell of something unpleasant.

Topseyt123 · 19/04/2025 10:10

I never use fabric conditioner. Total waste of money.

Just give the sling a wash in your usual detergent without adding any superfluous stuff like fabric conditioner. Hang it outside on the washing line to blow dry if you possibly can.

DappledThings · 19/04/2025 10:10

jan2310 · 19/04/2025 10:05

It’s a Mumsnet thing. I’ve never come across it in real life.

Show quote history

How do you know? I've never once discussed laundry habits with a friend or family. I wouldn't have a clue who hates it, loves it, is ambivalent to it.

NannyR · 19/04/2025 10:08

I once stayed in a holiday cottage where the sheets and towels felt heavy and almost greasy to touch because of the amount of fabric softener.

jan2310 · 19/04/2025 10:05

Katemax82 · 19/04/2025 09:29

I'm surprised at the amount of people who hate fabric conditioner

It’s a Mumsnet thing. I’ve never come across it in real life.

Coffeeishot · 19/04/2025 10:03

Comtesse · 19/04/2025 09:10

Horrible fabric conditioner is the unspoken downside of buying things from Vinted - my god people really overdo it, do their own clothes smell like that too??

My theory is, you have your own house smell or family smell and people are trying to mask that, it doesn't mean they are dirty or hiding any nasties just trying to present a "clean item" it is unesscary .

Flossflower · 19/04/2025 09:55

There are all sorts of nasty chemicals in fabric softener. This is the last thing you want next to your baby. Wash it again. Has it been used to hide other smells?

andtheworldrollson · 19/04/2025 09:54

You know those “nose blind” adverts that enough you to use stuff to hide smells ? I think people go nose blind to those smells - not to smells of sweat and dirt ( because health would encourage us to detecte those smells) - but to the smellls of all the products we are expected to use

FuzzyPuffling · 19/04/2025 09:50

It's just an extra chemical to pollute our waterways.
The correct answer to "how much?" is "none".

GellerYeller · 19/04/2025 09:48

@SnoozingFox
The fabcon companies want you to think that "reeks to high heaven of artificial flowers" = "clean".
And don't get me started on "scent balls".
I wholeheartedly agree with this. My teens had a friend who seemed to emanate stale fabric conditioner and the stench lingered after they’d visited.

DappledThings · 19/04/2025 09:47

None. I don't know what it's for.

PersonalBest · 19/04/2025 09:47

Loathe fabric softener. Hate being a guest when the bedding smells strongly of chemical perfume.

Muffinmam · 19/04/2025 09:46

You need to re-wash it. It’s not healthy for your baby.

I would wash it with normal washing detergent and methylated spirits to help the fibres release the chemicals during washing.

I would also run it through a cycle with vinegar to neutralise any remaining scent and also allow the acids to break down the waxy substance that allows the scent in the fabric softener to cling to the fabrics.

I would then put it out in fresh air and sunshine (inside out) all day.

Napface · 19/04/2025 09:45

If it smells that strong just imagine how it will smell to your baby being wrapped up in it. Washing it again is a good idea even if its a pain in the arse

I can't stand the smell either, ever since I stopped using it I've gone right off it. Plus I feel like it interferes with my perfume.

SummerDaysOnTheWay · 19/04/2025 09:42

It’s terrible for your washing machine, your skin abs the environment. I never use it.

RumbleHoney · 19/04/2025 09:42

I’ve found my people! Fabric conditioner is vile and I haven’t used it in 20 years.
When I buy stuff on Vinted it goes straight in the washing machine regardless of how it smells

Comefromaway · 19/04/2025 09:40

I stopped using it when inved in with Dh as he is allergic.

it also reduces the life of your clothes & your washing machine.

Jackrussellsaremad · 19/04/2025 09:38

I've stopped using fabric softner as I can't bear the strong smell and I don't think it improves clothes.

mrsconradfisher · 19/04/2025 09:37

DilemmaDelilah · 19/04/2025 08:40

On a slightly different note..... Why don't they make unscented fabric softener? Or do they? I am very sensitive to smells and usually try to find unscented laundry detergent, but I haven't seen unscented fabric softener.

Edited

They do, or almost unscented. We used Comfort Pure (the hypoallergenic one) and have done since my boys were babies. It literally has no smell at all. I cannot stand the smell of fabric softener, gives me a headache.

LoafofSellotape · 19/04/2025 09:36

I'd just wash it, I've been getting washing dried outside every day,even yesterday when it threatened rain all day.