The Fabric Conditioner Myth

[Ooopsadaisy]

Last week I ran out of fabric conditioner and forgot to buy any when I went shopping.

It was only when I was faced with the end of week bed/towels change and all the school/work uniform piles that I realised.

So I did all the washing without fabric conditioner for the first time in .... I have no idea how long ...... 20 years?? I expected the worst. Horrible smells, scratchy fabrics, creases and folds, hours of extra ironing ......

It was only after I'd finished the ironing and it was all put away that I realised that I hadn't even noticed the difference.

What a bloody waste of money all these years!

No-one else in the house had noticed the difference in smell, texture, comfort etc.

What else could I be wasting money on?

You are quite right.

Fabric conditioner is the biggest waste of money/marketing con in the history of the universe.

Yup.

Welcome.

I do agree with you, unless you live in a very hard water area as I do. I have to use a small amount of eco-friendly non-smelling conditioner to some washes or the clothes are un-ironable. But generally I don't get why people pour stinky chemicals all over their clothes - even towels WTF it makes them non absorbant, people.

I find towels are better without. The conditioner stops them absorbing water. If you find them getting rough you can add White vinegar to the conditioner reservoir.

I haven't used conditioner for several years as I found them overpowering and didn't like the feel if on clothes. I prefer crunchy towels anyway- nice and invigorating

You actually only need a very small amount on some fabrics. Towels and the like you are not supposed to use it on anyway (but I do as I like it that way). I did not use it for many years (skin reaction) and was so glad when I found one I could use - that's why I know you only need a very small amount.

Smells better with IME. I always notice if i dont use it, but its only smell doesnt make much difference otherwise.

Our water is really hard too, and we really do notice if I don't use fabric conditioner. I don't use much though, but it still makes a big difference.

I can tell as soon as I put my hand in to take the washing out of the machine if I've not used softener. Very hard water area here though.

I do not use it for towels though - they get tumble dried for fluffiness.

TheProvincialLady - yes, hard water area here too but it didn't seem to make any difference.

All those you mentioned not using it on towels - I should have explained that I don't as I like an invigorating towel and it affects the absorbency.

amberleaf - All the washing was dried outdoors so it might make a difference to the smell if I have to dry on an airer or on hangers in the doorways (yuck - hate that). Have to wait and see.

So what else are we wasting money on d'you think?

I only used it cause my Mum did. I stopped as DS has allergies. Didn't notice any difference at all!!

i haven't used condtioner or regular detergent for about a year now as i use soapnuts, we live in a very hard water area and my washing is never crunchy, except towels but they were cruncy even when i did use regular stuff.

dh made me buy some regular detergent for his stuff, as he hates soapnuts for some reason, and i can't stand the smell anymore, it seems to stink the whole house up and gives me a headache.

save yourself even more money oooops and get some soapnuts.

Very hard water area here as well - really noticeable if you don't use it.

Always use unscented stuff because that Lenor stuff is very overpowering and the smell reminds me of old people's washing for some reason.

I love crunchy towels. They are horrible when tumble dried. Best when they have been line dried, after a frost

I buy an eco brand from Sainsbos called Evo, iirc. Is cheaper than lenor anyway.

What in the name of Mary are soapnuts?

i love the smell of FC....nothing better than sheets washed , fc'ed and dried on line...

I use sainsburys basic conditioner for 50p we have very hard water too.

Soapnuts??? (Googles -hoping not to get into troubled territory ......)

soapnuts are a dried berry that contain natural soap. very good for washing clothes if you have eczema(sp?)

clothes smell of nothing and are very soft.

"i love the smell of FC....nothing better than sheets washed , fc'ed and dried on line..."

Ah, but the lovely smell is mostly from the line drying, not the conditioner.

I think line drying helps with the crispiness too as the flapping about makes the clothes softer. Even with conditioner, clothes dried on an airer are more crunchy.

Liking the look of these soapnuts.....

So do you find them cheaper than detergent?

How long do they last?

Do they have no smell at all?

Do you buy online or are they in the shops? In what quantities? How do you store them?

I live in a hard water area, and being allergic to fabric conditioner I:

Put a bit of dishwasher salt in the pre-wash drawer
Put white vinegar in the fabric softener drawer

Works a treat.

I also make my own detergent as I'm allergic to everything in the whole world...but that's another thread!!!!

Soupdragon - but I don't FC my towels and they don't smell as nice

i get mine from here

a kilo lasts months and months and months as you only use about 8 nuts at a time and they can be used for 3-4 washes.

they smell like fresh air to me.

i store mine in the bag they come in under the sink.

I have never used fabric conditioner. As far as I can see it just seems to add a layer of silicon or other chemical to the clothes which can't do the fibres any good.

According to our washing machine repair man I live in one of the hardest water areas in the country and I've never felt the need for it. Of course it might be because I have very little sense of smell - but none of the rest of the family complain!

Re OP other thing s you might have wasted money on - how about the quantity of washing powder? You probably need only half of what the manufacturer recommends and put it directly in the drum - it'll work better.