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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

...not to see the point of fabric conditioner?

68 replies

snickersnacker · 15/09/2013 17:33

I have never used it, probably because my mum never did when we were growing up.

Got a free sample of Comfort Pure and tried it on a load of the baby's clothes. I understand that it's meant to make clothes feel softer but I can't feel any difference.

AIBU not to see the point of it?

OP posts:

FredFredGeorge · 15/09/2013 18:37

Ibrolas The whole point of fabric conditioner is that it isn't washed out, it remains between the fibres of the fabric resulting in lubrication of the fibres so they rub against each other less and are easier to iron etc. also the lubrication can help other stains wash away easier.

It's why you're not likely to see much difference in a single wash, as it builds up gradually over time. You shouldn't use it on any fabric that needs to breathe - e.g. sports gear that wants to allow sweat out. Cotton towels also don't get any benefit.

EduCated · 15/09/2013 18:39

I'm allergic to it, so don't use it. I find my clothes are still nice and soft

Yonihadtoask · 15/09/2013 18:43

I don't like it, find the smell overpowering. I hate walking past the laundrette, as the synthetic scent follows me.

I used to use many moons ago, but haven't for over 10 years now, and I can't say the clothes feel any worse.

We do have soft water though, so perhaps that helps.

mrsminiverscharlady · 15/09/2013 18:44

Tumble drying softens clothes too, so if you line dry you're more likely to see a difference with fabric conditioner.

MIL bought a set of towels for us and a set for her at the same time. Hers looked an absolute tattered horrible mess within a year while mine are still going strong. It could be her washing machine I guess, but I also know she doesn't use fabric conditioner.

pianodoodle · 15/09/2013 18:46

I'm the same I don't bother with it any more at all.

Plus I don't think towels dry you as well when they've been softened with conditioner :)

TwoMuchTwoYoung · 15/09/2013 18:46

It stinks, that's why I don't use it.

nurseneedshelp · 15/09/2013 18:47

I put a wash on this morning and realised I'd forgotten the lenor because ds was distracting me so I waited until the cycle had completed and re-washed it with the lenor!

I get through bottles of the stuff......

PuppyMonkey · 15/09/2013 18:48

I definitely wouldn't use it on baby stuff - I'm allergic to anything like that so wouldn't put it near a ickle baby.

I haven't used it for two years. Tumble dryer sorts out creases.

LittleTulip · 15/09/2013 19:10

I feel like I haven't done a proper wash if I haven't used fabric conditioner!

RubberBullets · 15/09/2013 19:15

We stopped using it when we had dd as she seemed to react to it. In 15 months we haven't noticed any difference so I would never use it again. I don't use conditioner in my hair either after being told off by my hairdresser for using it too often, my hair is lovely and soft without it.

RaspberryRuffle · 15/09/2013 19:21

Oh I love my fabric softener, the Lenor blue always reminds me of my mum's washing. I have another one I use too which DH has actually requested as he loves the smell of the sheets (right pair of saddos emoticon).
I usually use it on towels too as I'm not so dripping wet that the absorbency really matters. I don't use it on the skinny absorbent sports towels though or sports gear.

lastnightiwenttomanderleyagain · 15/09/2013 19:26

We have an unscented one as I don't like to be bombarded with fragrance. That said, Thames Valley and very hard water make it an essential for us.

I agree with the towels though, I shove a load of white vinegar in in lieu of fabric softener to keep them nice and soft without affecting absorbancy.

Can't remember who asked about how it helps protect the fabric...but same principle as for your hair. Shampoo strips grease and dirt, conditioner restores the bits your hair still needs to stay strong and nice!

SilverOldie · 15/09/2013 19:36

I've always lived in a hard water area and have never used it. I hate the smell and never had a problem with my clothes wearing out particularly quickly. I rarely if at at all iron anything either.

fluffyraggies · 15/09/2013 19:42

Another saddo who loves it here.

Love to smell the laundry drying in the house in the winter when i cant hang it out. (no tumble dryer)

Love the big waft of it as i put clean clothes on.

HitTheNorth · 16/09/2013 09:17

I stopped using it for a while and the clothes were noticeably less soft and more creased, so I started using it again. What put me off it initially was that it apparently contains formaldehyde, but now I've got a lovely lavender-smelling one, I've put that to the back of my mind

VinegarDrinker · 16/09/2013 09:23

Live in London and never used it. We line dry and don't iron either....

SarahAndFuck · 16/09/2013 09:25

The point of it is to piss off my mother.

Any brand which is not the brand she uses is wrong. And if you use her brand, any fragrance that is not her fragrance is wrong.

To the point that she will wave her hand about in front of her face, with exaggerated gasps and chokes, while demanding to know if you use the entire bottle and wondering if you intended to smell so overpoweringly bad for a reason or if it might actually be something wrong with your nasal passages that requires the attention of a doctor.

Kaekae · 16/09/2013 09:32

I live in a very hard water area so do need it for certain washes. I love the smell on my bed sheets. I must admit I've noticed how the prices of fabric conditioner has increased so don't buy it as often anymore, only if there is an offer on!!

VestaCurry · 16/09/2013 09:40

I find it helps in our very hard water area. I use surcare, which is unperfumed because dh is allergic to any perfumed ones. I dilute it to more than half it's strength and find that's sufficient to be able to get most clothes straight out of the machine, and avoid ironing.

soimpressed · 16/09/2013 09:40

We are in a very hard water area but I stopped using it because it's not good for people with sensitive skin or eczema. My washing is fine and it saves money.

Do you put the white vinegar in the fabric conditioner drawer?

LisaMedicus · 16/09/2013 09:52

soimpressed I bung a glug of white vinegar in the fabric conditioner drawer (scientific measurement there). I sometimes smell the vinegar when the wash is on, but never while wearing. Apparently you can add essential oils. I don't bother.

I get my white vinegar for @ £3.00 for a five litre container, so saves pennies, and I notice the difference.

Fabric conditioner can also be anti bacterial, I used it when ds was tiny. On the other hand, white vinegar isn't exactly bacteria friendly and most soap powders will sort it out at 60 degrees (apparently - advice I was given with cloth nappies).

OTheHugeManatee · 16/09/2013 11:31

We live in a hard water area and without fabric softener our towels come out like planks

Nancy66 · 16/09/2013 11:33

I also live in a hard water area and use it but not convinced it makes any difference.

SueDoku · 16/09/2013 13:35

When my DD was a baby she had bad eczema and the doctor treating her told me to never use fabric conditioner as it is one of the things that a lot of people are allergic to. I stopped then and have never used it since (and yes, her eczema cleared up in a couple of weeks).
Over the years, I reckon that doctor's advice has saved me hundreds of pounds....

londonrach · 16/09/2013 13:41

Years ago i once asked my mum why my friends swimming towels felt so fluffy whilst mine felt so hard. My mum went very quiet and bought some conditioner at the next shop. If you live in a hard water area without the conditioner clothes feel harder. I cant imagine washing my own washing now without....

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