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Original poster

Those of you who use washing powder for your washing. Do you use softener?

89 replies

depressed394 · 12/06/2025 13:48

I want to use washing powder only due to cost of softener but am worried it will ruin my clothes. What do you suggest?

OP posts:
Disturbia81 · 12/06/2025 16:08

sharpenedroof · 12/06/2025 14:06

I've only ever used washing powder and until I read this thread I genuinely didn't realise anyone used anything other, or in addition to, washing powder.

What did you think fabric softener was for?

kinkytoes · 12/06/2025 16:07

Washing powder and white vinegar.

Fabric softener actually makes clothes more flammable which I think is a scary thing. It's really not necessary.

Ketzele · 12/06/2025 16:07

I only use washing powder, have never seen the point of softener.

KPPlumbing · 12/06/2025 16:06

I only use detergent. It wouldn't occur to me to add softener.
What does it do? Does it literally 'soften' clothes? Ours come out soft anyway.

baggybags · 12/06/2025 15:54

hate the smell of softener so don't use it.

greencartbluecart · 12/06/2025 15:53

live in a soft water area - used to use bicarbonate of soda before that

HappyAsASandboy · 12/06/2025 15:52

I use washing powder without softener, and line dry the clothes (not tumble dry as they shrink). My clothes last decades.

I use fabric softener on wool items, much like I use conditioner on my hair! I don’t think softener does much on cotton/synthetics, but it does make wool/silk feel good. I also use Woolite or supermarket equivalent on wool/silk/delicate things rather than powder.

scrivette · 12/06/2025 15:12

I love in a hard water area and use white vinegar instead of softener, if I don’t use white vinegar the clothes are much harder. Powder is so much better for the machine as it doesn’t go all gunky.

LBOCS2 · 12/06/2025 14:44

I use washing powder only, but do tumble dry a lot of it which softens things anyway

TasWair · 12/06/2025 14:43

I don't think it makes a difference in terms of cleanliness, but I LOVE the smell of fabric conditioner.

WhatNoRaisins · 12/06/2025 14:41

I stopped using it when I started washing nappies and found it didn't make any difference. We have quite soft water in our area, I don't know if that makes a difference.

Flossflower · 12/06/2025 14:40

I never use softener. It is evil stuff. It makes your machine gunky. Nobody should use softener on towels as it stops them being absorbent and nobody should use softener on sports wear as it stops it wicking.

TeaAndStrumpets · 12/06/2025 14:38

Never ever. It smells horrible. My clothes just smell clean. (Surcare powder)

User415373 · 12/06/2025 14:37

I've always only ever used powder and I also always put it straight in the drum, so no mess in the tray either.
I sometimes use a fabric scent booster but never a softener.

StanfreyPock · 12/06/2025 14:36

Use Surcare soap powder, only cardboard packaging to dispose of, live in soft water area and never use softener. Two people in household with skin conditions, so no chemical fragrances required. Hate the current push advertising 'fresh' smelling laundry when they mean it reeks of some awful synthetic smell.

Have just brought some washing in from the line and it smells lovely by itself!

Praying4Peace · 12/06/2025 14:35

I always use softener, clothes don't feel right without it.
BTW, you can purchase some bargain softeners which I frequently use

SuchiRolls · 12/06/2025 14:34

I use powder. Usually fairy or another type of non-bio. If I use the tumble dryer I just use powder, but I use fairy softener when using the washing line or airer as my kids are all ND and don’t like scratchy fabrics on their skin. Prefer soft. But tbf I think it’s fine without. Also powder is a LOT better for your machine. Pods and liquid don’t contain the same ingredients and cause a sticky coating on the machine. My machine reminds me to do a drum clean and it heats to 70 to remove any softener residue etc. I add a scoop of soda crystals or bicarbonate of soda in with this to help loosen anything. My machine never smells.

BertieBotts · 12/06/2025 14:31

TBH when I did used to use fabric softener I didn't notice any "softening" effect. It does have a perfume effect. I live in a very hard water area. I find white vinegar in place of fabric softener is the best at counteracting hard water effects.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 12/06/2025 14:31

I've never bought fabric softener in my life. My clothes seem to have survived Grin

Thaawtsom · 12/06/2025 14:29

Wow. Softener. A whole new world -- things I have never thought to spend money on. I just use powder. Live in a hard water area. Works just fine.

MsPug · 12/06/2025 14:27

If I don't use softener with my powder my trousers stand up by themselves

Gatekeeper · 12/06/2025 14:24

I don't use softener as I dislike the smell and the coated feel you get on towels etc. Lidl bio which smells clean without being over perfumed. Nowt has dropped to bits yet apart from me

WasherWoman25 · 12/06/2025 14:24

I use powder and no softener, I used to use it but then heard that was the reason that printing was coming off sports wear and not meant to use it with period pants and other various items. I CBA sorting my washing further then darks, lights and colours so stopped and no ones noticed in my house.

JuneShellChangeHerTune · 12/06/2025 14:22

I use washing powder because I read on MN that it’s more effective than capsules or liquid.

I don’t use conditioner unless I’m washing hand knits and I don’t think my washing is not soft. I don’t like my clothes, and therefore me, smelling of conditioner. We live in a hard water area but have a water softener.

ScottBakula · 12/06/2025 14:22

Superscientist · 12/06/2025 13:57

I've not used anything other than washing powder for 15 years. Don't notice the difference other than I don't spend my days itching like I did when using softener. I absolutely hate it when I can smell fabric softener or fragrance washing detergents on other people. It often makes my nose tingle and my face itch.

I agree with you, all the different scents that everyone seem to wear now make traveling on public transport horrible.

I have only ever used soap powder (Daz) and don't use anything else.

It saves me a fortune compared to using the pod type washing liquid and bottles of conditioner.
It's also much better for the environment, just one cardboard box to recycle and no micro plastics .