Why shouldn't I use fabric conditioner?

[cakedup]

I just bought a few t-shirts from Next for DS and the label is telling me not to use fabric conditioner. Any ideas why? Anyone out there who doesn't use fabric conditioner and why?

We have stupidly hard water too, haven't used FC for donkey's years and nothing is stiff or crispy. As a bonus the drawer of the WM is sparkling.

I am converted. I just wish I had converted before I just bought two giant fabric conditioners on a 2 for 1 deal.

You can use clear/distilled malt vinegar instead. I promise you can't smell it on the washing - it will just smell clean. My towels are very soft and fluffy, very absorbant, and never smell musty.

Thanks FinallyFreeFromItAll, how much do you use?

When I handed over my unwanted stock of animal fat fabric conditioner to my mum, she suggested using Calgon instead which makes sense...especially as I live in a very hard water area.

I use roughly the same amount of vinegar as I'd otherwise use of fabric softener.

Soda crystals (added to powder compartment) are good for hard water, brilliant on stains, good for your washing machine and make whites dazzling. Over time they can dull colours though, so best just in white loads and occasionally in towel loads (really fluffs them up).