If I passed you on a narrow path, would I be able to smell fabric softener down wind? 

[Anndalouzier]

Just been on a walk and struck by how many people you pass don't smell of perfume, instead they smell of eau de lenor
is there something that you do/aspire to? How much of the stuff do you use to make it so strong?
I don't mind it in laundry. Just not my signature scent™️

Nice way to call women stupid.

People probably just like the smell thats all

I wonder who convinced my DH that he’s a slut if he doesn’t use fabric conditioner, as he does all our laundry!

Oh, that's OK then. Kill off other creatures or leave them in agony whilst adding to the already tons of pollutants suffocating the planet. Just so they can smell of artificial, manufactured fragrance. Doesn't that strike you as vaguely wrong?

That will be the smell of soap.

Controversial here but I love laundry smell and would be delighted to catch a whiff of it in passing!

Well it does seem a long winded way of doing it yes. Far quicker just to bash them over the head with the liquid detergent bottle .

For those who say fabric softener leaves their clothes greasy or slimy: your machine needs cleaning or replacing.

I do recall the smoking ban of 2007 and being glad not to come home from the club reeking of ciggies…
only to find that was masking MUCH MUCH WORSE…

Laundry and soap, and fabric conditioners, are completely separate and unrelated smells.

The smell that laundry has when it's fresh off the washing line.

When you think about the science of soap powder/detergent and fabric conditioner it's a bit like shampoo and conditioner for hair .

They work to oppose each other , so the oily texture of the conditioner helps to remove the detergent . .
Many washing machines use minimal water.
Many WM users use far too much detergent .

I rewashed a towel that my DS spilled something on, just rinsed it . The amount of suds sloshing about , I hadn't added anything , and I don;t use fabric conditioner on towels anyway

Fabric conditioner is basically plastic. It is terrible for the environment, makes clothes less breathable (and therefore the people wearing them more sweaty), and clogs up pipes and washing machines. Really ugly stuff.

Never had this problem since I stopped using fabric softener.

It does do that, but at the cost of coating your clothes and trapping the bacteria, the bacteria is what makes clothes smell. Which is why they have to add such strong perfumes - to mask the smell!

Just use detergent and clothes will
still be soft. Natural fibres are generally naturally soft.

No, it's awful stuff and I don't use it!

Oh stop talking nonsense! I don't know anyone who is so gullible that they are convinced they are sluts or "less than" if they don't use fabric conditioner.

I use it because I like my clothes to feel soft - end of. I also can't help but wonder what is in UK versions of it, I have literally never smelled it on anyone, or their clothes line, here.

Once again, nonsense. My clothes are very breathable, thank you, and my over 20 year old washing machine has never been clogged up.

Btw I do hope all you sanctimonious types are not using commercial laundry cleaners and only wear natural fabrics.

I’ve been told a couple of times people can smell my fabric conditioner and my sons nursery staff joked they would take turns to get the spares out of his bag so they could have a good whiff of the smell (in a nice way).

I’m a bit surprised a couple of people who said they like the smell of strong artificial laundry scents said they don’t like the smell of vapes. For me they are in the same category of artificial smells that are totally inoffensive if I catch a whiff in passing but wouldn’t want to be in a room that smelled strongly of them for long periods.

My fabric softener doesn’t smell of candy floss, and that appears to be the most popular vape flavour round here!

I have very little sense of smell and can't smell people, especially outside. Seems like this is a good thing.

Fragrance is meant to be discovered, not announced. And certainly not to be left in a trail as one moves throughout the world.

I don't really like the smell of fabric softener. It's fine when it's vaguely there, but it's not nice when it's like hitting a wall of scent. I think part of the problem is that people become nose blind to it and it's marketed in such a way that encourages over use.

My clothes go static and stick to me without clothes conditioner. Anyone any ideas how to avoid? I love the subtle smell of fresh washing on the line and the smell of dishwasher tablets. A clean smell as someone called it. Cannot abide perfume or aftershave on people though, especially Jean Paul Gautier; the sweet, sickly one. Haven't worn perfume for years. Much prefer the smell of just cut grass these days. We are all weird and wonderful in our own way.

I just love that mumsnet is now anti fabric softener. Like it's not a massive industry in the UK and you all love drying yourself with crispy towels. I love the smell and don't have slimey clothes!

I do live a crispy towel. Best thing about summer is being able to line dry everything including towels and get them properly crispy. So much more satisfying.