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

[snickersnacker]

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?

[FionaJT]

I live in a hard water area (and line dry) and have never used it. I hate the smell, and dd is prone to eczema so I have no desire to try it. My towels might be a bit crispy when they are clean, but I don't like that slightly slimy feeling of trying to dry yourself on a towel full of fabric conditioner.
I see it as part of the great capitalist conspiracy to make us all buy expensive stuff we don't need

[ringaringarosy]

i use it because it smells nice,i dont iron except for the school uniforms or something that really needs it.

[WaitingForMe]

My ex used to insist fabric conditioner made towels crispy and forbade me from using it. Our towels were horrible. I went out and bought some after I ended it and luxuriated in fluffy towels.

It was probably the most bizarre of his gas lighting techniques - I used to get accused of sneakily using fabric softener hence the towels were horrible.

[SoupDragon]

I don't like that slightly slimy feeling of trying to dry yourself on a towel full of fabric conditioner

I don't put conditioner in with a towel wash. Towels are the only thing I tumble dry.

[Chocolatehunter]

I use it on everything and don't know what kind of water we have. I just like the smell and like getting into bed when the sheets are a couple of nights old and smelling the fabric conditioner.

[fatlazymummy]

I never use it and I live in a hard water area. My washing feels fine and last for donkeys years, even cheap primark stuff.
I have felt washing that's been done with it and to me it feels kind of slimy and smells ,well, unnatural.

[elcranko]

I use fairy fabric softener on my DD's clothes just because it smells LOVELY

[valiumredhead]

Squinkies-that's odd because the instructions for Patagonia fleeces are NOT to use softener.

[Fakebook]

I don't see the point either.

I saw an advert for a dettol fabric conditioner or something today to get rid of "bacteria" in clothes . Really can't see the point of that either. Bacteria in clothes? Surely they die at high temperatures?

[Twattybollocks]

Water is hard as nails where I live. If I don't use fabric conditioner the clothes stand up on their own

[SoupDragon]

Bacteria in clothes? Surely they die at high temperatures?

Well the "point" (and I use that term loosely) is that they supposedly aren't killed at the new lower temperatures we wash at. Utter madness. No wonder we're screwing up our immune systems!

[expatinscotland]

They die with soap and water, which, erm, laundry detergent is.

[CelticPromise]

I've stopped using it, but DH requested I start again if I'm washing his shirts as he thinks it makes them easier to iron. I live in hard water London, line dry everything and iron about twice a year. I put in white vinegar with nappies to stop them going crispy and usually use about half the recommended dose of laundry liquid.

I can't believe how many of you condition towels! How do you ever get dry?

[CelticPromise]

Get the bacteria out of your clothes, then put them on and fill them with bacteria from your skin

[valiumredhead]

Towels are lovely with softener, somehow I manage to dry myself

[valiumredhead]

[steppemum]

The thing that no-one has mentioned is that the effect is very different on different types of fabric.

so, cotton clothes, not much difference, but anything artificial fibres and you really see the difference.

So a jumper which is a mixed fibre, not 100% cotton or wool, will feel very different with fabric conditioner. The more artificial fibres the more the difference.
I really notice it with tights, which are lovely and soft and stay stretchy with FC. If you have something soft and silky (but not real silk) the Fc stops the static and the cling.

That all sounds as if I have a drawer full of artificial fibres, and I don't, as I tend to buy mostly cotton, but I have a few things and that is when it makes a huge difference. I wouldn't have noticed it on baby clothes as they are 100%

[ItIsKnown]

I stopped buying it a few years back but if it really means less ironing then I might get some. I'm of the shake and fold persuasion but cheap school polo shirts do sometime necessitate unearthing the iron from the cupboard. Not now, obviously because DC are wearing sweatshirts