Fabric Softener - do you use it?

[LittleMigraines]

After being at a friend's house she told me that they don't use fabric softener, just wash as normal then either hang out to dry or if the weather is bad then will tumble dry.
Made me think do we really need it, or is it a gimmick that I've never realised? Do you use it? Why/why not?

I don’t use it
clogs the machine up
i use white vinegar instead

I use it because I like the smell and the feel of the fabrics. I know a lot of people on here don’t like it though, so the replies will be interesting.

I don’t use it on towels or tea towels because it does stop fabric being so absorbent.

No, i use antibacterial laundry cleanser stuff instead. It has good scent and gets rid of teenage boy smells better than just detergent

Never used it, my sister was allergic when we were kids so didn't have it then. Yes, towels are a bit crunchy if I line dry them. We live in a soft water area and even just washing liquid clogs up the machine and the clothes. With softener I think it would be worse

I think that is the main reason I use it, for the smell, but if I don't need it then I could use that as a cut back too.

No, you don’t need it.

I use vinegar on towels and scratchy fabrics like tea towels, some linens. Softener on some clothes

Yep. Sometimes I run out and I hate the way my clothes feel more scratchy then.

I use an unscented one for sensitive skin.

I have occasionally in the past but sometimes it makes clothes feel a bit sticky and odd. Stopped when I found that many contain tallow( rendered animal fat).

I ran out about 5 years ago and never bothered to buy it again! I can't tell the difference as I used unscented before anyway.

No I don’t. I use soda crystals to soften the water. Really hate the smell and feel of clothes washed with fabric softener.

No I don't, not needed and waste of plastic with those great big bottles

I used to use it and then I stopped to see if I noticed the difference and I don’t, so don’t buy it now.
We line dry when possible, but tumble towels as I like them fluffy. DD’s clothes do go in the drier quite often as she is 2 and gets through a lot of laundry and I lose the will to live hanging it out!

I used to use it every wash but stopped a year ago and haven't noticed a difference in the feel of the laundry. Maybe less fragrance but everything just as easy to iron as before.

I only use fabric softener very very occasionally if I wash something which might get static in it, fleece material, petticoats, that sort of thing.
I prefer my towels a bit rough & the over dosing softener (which is very common) can make washing smell terrible. Likewise I think it contributes to a smelly washing machine.

Have never used it - don't see the point. Clothes need to be clean, not impregnated with weird textures & scents. Also asked the laundry to stop using it when they do my sheets.

I don't use it and the smell of it makes me feel a bit sick in other people's houses or on secondhand clothes etc.

It works by coating the fabric with an oily film. Why would you want to do that?

But then, my towels come out crunchy and I just go with the Puritan scratchy vibe until they soften up through use.

No. I used to use it around 20 years ago but then stopped and don't miss it.

I just got used to the towels not being as soft.

A bit. Otherwise I have to beat the clothing with a rolling pin to get them to fold (I live in a flat, we have no outside space to dry). I use an unscented one, Ecover usually.

I use it on Bedsheets only and even then it's half the suggested amount. 1 bottle will last a year or more.

I used to use it when I first moved out of home, more because my mum had always used it but not for years now. I’m in a soft water area and she’s in a very hard water area, so not sure if that makes a difference. I’ve been using the anti bac laundry additive for years.

I used to notice deodorant build up under arm pits but haven’t had that since stopping the fabric conditioner.

Like many, used to use it and stopped. I do use soda crystals in every wash because the water is so hard.

Not used it for ages. It’s really not good for your machine and there is very little difference in the feel of the laundry unless it a really hot day and the sun dries it in 10 seconds.

No, don't like the smell, overpowering.

Yes I use it because my clothes are less soft when I don't. I only use half the dose though which makes enough of a difference. I don't use it for towels though. I like the smell and feel of it.