Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to not use fabric conditioner?

123 replies

tobysmum77 · 14/12/2014 16:13

Seriously isn't it just a bit of a waste of money, well apart from a couple of dresses I have which go static without?

Is this just me (well and dm) ......... or not?

OP posts:
JugglingChaotically · 14/12/2014 17:22

Quax, how does the vinegar work?

Hatespiders · 14/12/2014 17:25

I've never used it and haven't found any problems with my laundry.

fluffyraggies · 14/12/2014 17:28

I use it every time and love the smell. I think it does make a difference to the feel of the clothes.

I'm fussy about the smell and have a good sniff of them all in tesco when it's time to have a change Grin

MissPenelopeLumawoo2 · 14/12/2014 17:28

We have really hard water where I live, the clothes are really rough without it. However, YANBU for not personally wanting to use it, everyone's circumstances are different.

tobysmum77 · 14/12/2014 17:30

trills I had no idea, it was the first conversation I'd ever had about it with anyone. I usually stick to more interesting subjects Wink

OP posts:
Chandon · 14/12/2014 17:33

I have never used it.

Hard water area. Ironjng softens clothes.

My towels can stand up all by themselves Grin but they dry you off quicker than anything. They ate soft if I use the dryer, but don't always use it.

Personally I hate towels that are soft and fluffy yet non-absorbent. Hate them!

OttiliaVonBCup · 14/12/2014 17:38

Never use it.

Don't see the point of it. If I want a nice smell I use a perfume not some headache inducing softener. I just want my laundry to be clean.
Don't like the feel of it, it costs money and has spawned endless ridiculous TV ads.
It's bad for the environment.

So no, I'm not a fan.

MissPenelopeLumawoo2 · 14/12/2014 17:41

Hard water area. Ironjng softens clothes

Sorry, don't do ironing. I would rather pay for a bottle of Fabric Conditioner than delve into the back of the cupboard and retrieve the iron & board that I think might be in there (I have not actually seen them for years!)

Fairylea · 14/12/2014 17:44

I don't iron either. Ever. Luckily we don't have the type of jobs that need smart clothes and I just wash and hang the school uniform up straight from the wash and it's not creased. Life is too short to iron anything. I love fabric softener. We live in a hard water area and it definitely makes the clothes feel different.

Hatespiders · 14/12/2014 17:47

We have very hard water here. I haven't got a tumble drier, so use the clothes line in the garden (or radiators in winter) I also use just a tiny amount of washing powder, the cheapest I can find, and a very low wash temperature. It's amazing how little you can get away with and still have clean clothes.

All this product promotion for 'laundry care' stuff is just a way to coax the money from your pocket into those of Messeurs Lever and co.

Trills · 14/12/2014 17:49

I live in a hard water area.

Don't use fabric softener.

Don't iron.

Don't think my clothes feel "hard". They are made of flexible fabric.

My mum lives in a soft water area and uses fabric softener AND irons loads. I don't know why.

mausmaus · 14/12/2014 17:51

yanbu if it's your preference.
I like the pimk ecover one for the bed linen.

PigeonPie · 14/12/2014 18:01

OP YANBU! My MIL thinks I am unreasonable for not using softener, but I never have; I don't see the point in tipping chemicals onto my clothes.

It took me years to realise why I could never dry myself properly when we stayed with PILs - it turns out that she likes her towels to be soft, never mind that they don't work!

Branleuse · 14/12/2014 18:06

fabric conditioner is really bad for ypur machine, as are laundry capsules. Clogs and slimes up all the insides.
I used to use fabcon as i liked the smell, but stopped since i heard not to by a washing machine repairer

normal washing powder is best, plus a load using bio powder every now and again to get rid of residual grease

fatlazymummy · 14/12/2014 18:07

I live in a hard water area and still don't use fabric conditioner. I'm old enough to remember before it was invented (or at least in common usage) - no actually needed it or missed it. It was just a clever advertising campaign to create a 'need' for a product.

GlitzAndGigglesx · 14/12/2014 18:10

I personally prefer to use it and can feel the difference if it's not been used but no yanbu by not using it

Bunbaker · 14/12/2014 18:14

I knew laundry liquid clogged up a washing machine but didn't know conditioner did. I suppose it makes sense. I can tell when I haven't used conditioner and admit that I really, really like the smell - I use Fairy.

We live in a medium water area and no-one has skin allergies in our house.

chipsandpeas · 14/12/2014 18:15

i prefer to use it on somethings like bed linen as i like the scent

calculatorsatdawn · 14/12/2014 18:24

Isn't it one of thse tings that is still onsale because it reminds people of a simpler time but even the manufacturers are amazed that anyone actually buys? Like gravy browning and skin toner

GazpachoSoup · 14/12/2014 18:33

I never use fabric conditioner either. We suffer from sensitive skin/eczema and it just aggravates it. Plus it absolutely stinks

sparklecrates · 14/12/2014 18:36

How does one make one's own washing powder?

Sazzle41 · 14/12/2014 18:38

I thought it was just me! I ran out and thought sod it and noticed no difference and my towels seem more fluffy not less. Its so expensive now when i pass it in the aisle in the supermarket and the smell so artificial too.

GaryShitpeas · 14/12/2014 18:41

i use it just because i love the smell

but yanbu its not essential :D

ouryve · 14/12/2014 18:42

I didn't use it before I moved here. There was no need. Now I use a half dose of the unscented stuff, as our water is very hard and everything dries crunchy without it, even after extra rinses.

Marcipex · 14/12/2014 18:58

I stopped using it when someone told me it was tallow from rendered-down carcasses. With perfume added, obviously.
Apparently it's one of the biggest marketing successes of all time, finding a way to sell a noxious waste product.

Swipe left for the next trending thread