AIBU to never use fabric conditioner?

[Greysparkles]

After a very random boring conversation with a friend she thinks I'm some sort of slattern for never using it. I say it smells awful and no one's ever complained so why would I bother
Who is BU?

I don't use it because we all have sensitive skin and two of us have asthma. Generally not a fan of artificial scents in anything having reacted badly to scented sanitary towels and then with migraines to those plug in spray things. I'm also trying to cut down on plastic and those kind of chemicals for environmental reasons.

I live in a hard water area and the crunch comes out of clothes very quickly when you are wearing them. Same with line dried towels, slightly brisk on the first use and fine from then on.

I don't use it because it's horrible but I do use liquid for the wash.

I only use it because when I tried to go back to powder (fairy blue box) which I had learned is better for the machine it almost always left a white residue on the clothes like they hadn't been rinsed properly which was especially noticeable on black clothes and I'd have to wash them all again.

Does anyone have any ideas on what's going on or tips to stop it?

Sorry meant to say wash them all without any cleaning product.

bobstersmum Yes, in the fabric conditioner drawer. I'm another one who always uses white vinegar.

I use a tiny amount every now and again for jumpers and the likes or on my bedding.

My flatmate, however, uses half a bottle when she does her three loads of washing, the whole place reeks of Lenor (other brands available) afterwards. Usually, I take the detergent drawer out and give it a proper clean after she washed.
No matter what I say, or how nicely I ask her to use less, she just ignores it. Killed the last washing machine as well.

YANBU. Unnecessary and another pollutant.

I didn’t use it, bought some a while ago after thinking I might be missing out but nope, I think it’s horrible stuff, everything felt slimy. And yes, I did use it properly, obviously just not used to that feeling on my laundry as I don’t use it as a rule

Those that use white vinegar, would I put it in the compartment that I'd normally put the fabric conditioner?

Yes.

I recently bought a new front loader and was advised not to use fabric conditioner as it damages the machine. Fabric conditioner is grease.

I ditched the fabric softener last year and use white vinegar. Softens clothes and looks after washing machine too. Doesn't smell. Win win 😀

Ginky

Inadequately dissolved powder may be due to excessive powder dosing and low temperatures.

Washing soda crystals will help the powder to dissolve, and you need less.

We never use it either. We have soft water. I hate going to the in-laws where everything is doused in Comfort to within an inch of its life, it stinks, and the towels just sort of slip all over you because of the slimy conditioner.

Depends what I'm washing, I don't use it in towels or my running stuff but put a wee bit in most other washes. I tried Vinegar but I can smell it and it doesn't make clothes feel the same. I also use soda crystals in with washing powder.

I don't like it although DD prefers it to be used on her jeans and bedding.
Some people use so much of it too, it hits you when you walk past them.
The worst is the smell of the one people love to use on newborn clothes, fairy maybe? It is horrible.

I don't use it (eczema). My clothes smell fresh and clean and my washing machine doesn't get clogged up with so much gunk (and my laundry doesn't come out slightly slimy).
However, my towels are... On the crunchy side.

Am in hard water area.

if your clothes are slimy you're using far too much product.

If your clothes are slimy you're using far too much product

Nope.

It does make laundry feel slimy, it must just be that people who use it frequently have got used to it.

I was told when buying DD's school uniform, never to use fabric softener on the jumper as it would cause it to shrink/change shape by getting shorter & wider and I've never used it since.

You're not supposed to use it on sports clothes in 'technical' fabric either.

As a pp has said, use dettol anti-bacterial liquid on kids school shirts and sports wear, no difference in the softness of laundry.

I’ve spent years not using it and then started using it again and didn’t notice a slimy feeling when I restarted.

I don't use it as a rule. It stinks, the smell doesn't wash out and it makes the washing machine drawer clog.

I buy Surcare fragrance free and only use it for fleece items otherwise the static is unbearable and the hard water makes them hard.

I also use fragrance free laundry products on my stuff, whatever is used now in the stinky stuff actually makes me feel ill or starts me sneezing. So do some people when I am out and they have used tons of laundry stuff on their clothes. It causes nose blindness when used a lot, probably destroys their sense of smell too.

My favourite way of drying washing is outside on a sunny and windy day, that gives them a lovely fresh smell

Oh yes. Sadly I live in the west of Scotland so the number of days where this is possible are somewhat limited. We've never owned a tumble dryer but do have an old fashioned ceiling pulley. Best thing since sliced bread. I would never be without one again.

Oh god I'd love a pulley. My dad had one when I was growing up but my ceilings aren't high enough for one.

I don't use it normally but I do have a bottle which gets used with a couple of specific items which are unwearable without (stiff and feel rough). I occasionally pop a bit of zoflora in with my towels though. Soft water which possibly helps.

piglet washing soda crystals? Are they different from soda crystals like the picture? Iv got some and knew I could use them on empty to clean the machine but I didn't think they could go in with the washing.

How much would I add?

I never use it because:
-I can't be bothered
-I don't like fake smells
-I don't see the point
-I like my towels crunchy