Is fabric softener really necessary?

[Figmentofmyimagination]

I ran out last week and nobody seemed to notice. I must get through a bottle a month - all that plastic and chemicals - what difference does it actually make apart from changing the smell?

I don't think it's necessary.
I stopped using it a few years ago, and fabrics soon went back to being soft without it.

I've never used fabric softener. We manage to survive.

I don't use it but I have a tumble dryer and use wool dryer balls. I never really understood as I'm not keen on the smell of it.

Depends where you live. The water where I am is extremely hard so we do need it - cardboard and sandpaper towels otherwise, but if you live in a soft water area i’d Have thought you’d be fine without

I have never used it. But I know a few people who over use it, that's when it really stinks

We use it. We don't have a tumble dryer and are in a very hard water area (SE) so it's like wearing cardboard otherwise. I do use bout a third of the recommended dose though, and it's plenty.

Lots of limescale here - not sure whether that’s relevant.

No, never used it.

It smells really over-powering and it can damage technical clothing such as gore-tex.

I've never used it.

It always seemed like a real waste of money to me (like most of the products companies like to try to sell to us)

I gave it up a few months ago as part of my cut back on plastic use and haven't noticed any difference

Never used it, parents never used it. Grew up in a v. hard water area. Never understood why people use it. Clothes never like cardboard. Do use really natural laundry liquid so no idea if the companies that sell both make sure the laundry cleaner makes the clothes like that so you then 'have' to buy the conditioner? Only rational explanation I can think of as can't see any other reason for it to exist. The smell? God, that's so awful and overpowering usually, so it can't be a good reason.

I stopped using it about two years ago, hasn’t made any difference whatsoever and it’s saved me money. I’ve read that it’s not actually good for getting sweat and stink out of clothes anyway.

Never used it. I live in a hard water area. I like the scratchiness you get with towels, etc.

I gave up a couple of years ago and my washing is all fine

Stopped using it, not noticed any difference

Another one who never uses it. Hard water area. Don't get the " cardboard" problem, either.

No, it also leaves a greasy film on clothes and stops things like towels, nappies, flannels being as absorbent. I still use it just because I like picking smells but it makes absolutely 0 difference.

I found a few years ago that a cup of white vinegar in the wash seems to bring out the smell of the washing powder if it is scent you like. Also helps with cleaning (nothing smells vinegary) and keeps your machine working nicely as well.

I asked PigletJohn a few years ago about limescale and he suggested putting a bit of soda crystals in with every wash and it seems to have kept my machine fresh so far.

I stopped using it 5 years ago maybe.... anyway it worked wonders for DS who I thought was prone to eczema but hasn't had a problem since! Didn't really notice but now use wool tumble dryer balls - they're amazing and reduce static as well. I was quite excited about them!

I never use it simply because I don’t use the machine dispensing drawers as that once caused trouble and I now put bio gel directly into the machine. As for scratchy towels, they can be a to a small degree but we don’t really notice it as a problem.

Yes, otherwise my clothes and towels feel like cardboard. Hard water area.

Stopped using it on the advice of my dermatologist. Haven't missed it. (But I do tumble dry most things, so that helps keep them soft, anyway. No softener sheets in the dryer, either, though.)

Doesn’t make any difference to me in terms of actual fabric softness. I find it just leaves a strong lingering smell which I don’t like. And is an unnecessary chemical, cost and plastic waste.

Never use softener here (super hard water). If you don't like the scratchy towels thing just use water softener / bicarb in the wash - which also means using less detergent is ok! Win!

Also i think some people (like me) have certain sensory issues to do with touch that make living in a hard water area more difficult without using fabric conditioner. Other people just aren't bothered by texture in the same way and maybe wouldn't even notice. Each to their own.

Don't use it due to eczema. Doesn't seem to make a difference, and we live in a hard water area. Maybe depends on detergent, particular fabrics, plus whether you tumble dry.

There was an AMA thread about washing a few months ago, very enlightening. Fabric softener supposedly makes stuff dry quicker, but in the UK market is very much about scent, more so than in rest of Europe.