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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:
MyKingdomForACat · 12/06/2025 14:20

I use pods and softener. Love the smell

Beamur · 12/06/2025 14:18

I use powder and softener

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 12/06/2025 14:17

I do use softener on everything but towels. I've always thought it acts like hair conditioner - softens, smells nice, makes thing easier to iron.

Reallybadidea · 12/06/2025 14:17

Do you live in a hard or soft water area? My experience is that in hard water areas clothes do not feel nice without fabric softener, especially if you don't use a tumble dryer. I find the big bottles of concentrated conditioner work out very cheap per wash and you don't really need as much as recommended on the side. Even a little bit will help.

Obviously people who've never used it won't miss it but I think if you do currently then it might take a bit of adjustment.

BertieBotts · 12/06/2025 14:16

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.

Did you not notice the array of other laundry products in the supermarket and wonder what people do with them?

MeganM3 · 12/06/2025 14:15

The softener makes the clothes.. softer. And smell nice (to me). I don’t think you need to use it or to use very much of it if you do use it. I put in a small amount only.

BertieBotts · 12/06/2025 14:15

Fabric softener is more likely to ruin clothes than washing powder, surely?

I just use powder. If I can get the scent beads at a non extortionate price I add them because I do like scented laundry, but usually they are too expensive.

If you're worried about bleaching agents in the powder, choose one that is marketed for colours. They don't contain bleach. The ones which are marketed for whites do.

GobbledyBook · 12/06/2025 14:13

I've only ever used powder and take great care of my clothes. It's going to be things like spin speeds and not using proper cycles etc that wrecks them. It's also going to be better for your machine.

ShesTheAlbatross · 12/06/2025 14:11

I’ve only ever used washing powder. Why would it ruin your clothes?

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.

LongRangeDessertGroup · 12/06/2025 14:05

I’ve only ever used washing powder, never softener, I actually really dislike the smell of softener. I can’t see how it would ruin your clothes?

Loveduppenguin · 12/06/2025 13:58

I stopped using softener for about a year in a bid to save money (amongst other things) but to be honest, I started using softener again and I noticed such a nicer smell off my washing now. I really missed that. 🤣🤣

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.

Hedgesgalore · 12/06/2025 13:51

I used to use softener but for the last 10 years (at least) I've been putting in a scope of soda crystals instead.