How much fabric softener is unreasonable?

[FamilyofTrees]

I bought something off vinted and it literally smells like it's been soaked in fabric softener. It smells lovely, but so intense! It's a baby carrier so not something I'm planning on washing again because it's clearly clean and they're a pain to wash.

I use fabric softener as per the instructions and generally find I can't even smell it on my laundry (which I don't mind tbh. No smell is clean to me.)

Do you think I'm using it wrong and you should be able to smell the softener, or did the vinted seller use way too much?

People think that if something smells very noticeably of fabric conditioner, it's clean.

This. It's been decades since I used it and that was a free sample!

I also hate overly fragranced laundry liquid. When you get used to low fragrance stuff you notice how much it stinks.

We stayed at a friend's house and realised my DC's pyjamas stunk of their bedding when we got home. And they hadn't even been excessive.

Oh dear. I’ve just sold a hoodie on Vinted that I washed. I use a lovely ( I think) fabric conditioner. I hope the poor buyer doesn’t die from the awful thing that I’ve done.

Thanks, I will give it a wash. I hadn't used it yet, but you're right, it could easily be hiding another smell and is a bit much probably even for my 1 year old.

Stopped using fabric softener a while ago after I saw how it gunks up the machine and pipes. I now use white vinegar instead.

I would re-wash it and let it dry outside.

After a few occasions where I've got migraines from putrid fabric conditioner, I first took the approach of putting a smelly worn t-shirt over the pillow (sweat is at least natural), and now take a spare pillow case to save me the worst.

I stopped using it a couple of years ago, I liked the smell as I use washing powder and it’s not fragrances, used to put a capful in the drawer. But loads of our clothes are sports clothes and you get grease spots on them from the fabric softener so I just stopped for all the washing loads rather than having to fish through dirty washing to pick out the individual things that couldn’t be washed using it.
So none is the amount I use but I’m kind of sad about it as I must be one of the rare few that like the smell of it 🤣

Fabric conditioner is just chemicals that sits on your clothes giving off a scent. I stopped using it years ago as I don’t want my children to breathe in these harsh chemicals. There is NO WAY I would put my baby in a carrier that had a strong smell of fabric conditioner. Please put the carrier on a wash - I know it’s a pain but you really don’t want your baby to breathe in the harsh chemicals.

I'm surprised at the amount of people who hate fabric conditioner

Any fabric softener is too much. Horrible stuff.

I'd just wash it, I've been getting washing dried outside every day,even yesterday when it threatened rain all day.

They do, or almost unscented. We used Comfort Pure (the hypoallergenic one) and have done since my boys were babies. It literally has no smell at all. I cannot stand the smell of fabric softener, gives me a headache.

I've stopped using fabric softner as I can't bear the strong smell and I don't think it improves clothes.

I stopped using it when inved in with Dh as he is allergic.

it also reduces the life of your clothes & your washing machine.

I’ve found my people! Fabric conditioner is vile and I haven’t used it in 20 years.
When I buy stuff on Vinted it goes straight in the washing machine regardless of how it smells

It’s terrible for your washing machine, your skin abs the environment. I never use it.

If it smells that strong just imagine how it will smell to your baby being wrapped up in it. Washing it again is a good idea even if its a pain in the arse

I can't stand the smell either, ever since I stopped using it I've gone right off it. Plus I feel like it interferes with my perfume.

You need to re-wash it. It’s not healthy for your baby.

I would wash it with normal washing detergent and methylated spirits to help the fibres release the chemicals during washing.

I would also run it through a cycle with vinegar to neutralise any remaining scent and also allow the acids to break down the waxy substance that allows the scent in the fabric softener to cling to the fabrics.

I would then put it out in fresh air and sunshine (inside out) all day.

Loathe fabric softener. Hate being a guest when the bedding smells strongly of chemical perfume.

None. I don't know what it's for.

@SnoozingFox
The fabcon companies want you to think that "reeks to high heaven of artificial flowers" = "clean".
And don't get me started on "scent balls".
I wholeheartedly agree with this. My teens had a friend who seemed to emanate stale fabric conditioner and the stench lingered after they’d visited.

It's just an extra chemical to pollute our waterways.
The correct answer to "how much?" is "none".

You know those “nose blind” adverts that enough you to use stuff to hide smells ? I think people go nose blind to those smells - not to smells of sweat and dirt ( because health would encourage us to detecte those smells) - but to the smellls of all the products we are expected to use

There are all sorts of nasty chemicals in fabric softener. This is the last thing you want next to your baby. Wash it again. Has it been used to hide other smells?

My theory is, you have your own house smell or family smell and people are trying to mask that, it doesn't mean they are dirty or hiding any nasties just trying to present a "clean item" it is unesscary .