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 use one form sensitive skin. I've never not used it, probably because my Mum always used it. I thought it was something to do with living in a hard water area.

Yes, I'm in a very hard water area and my clothes would stand up on their own without it.

Only use half the recommended amount though.

I've never used it. Waste of money and plastic.

No, I don't like fragranced laundry it gives me a headache, don't like the floppy feel of clothes that have been washed in it and it is unnecessary chemicals going into the environment. We live in a very hard water area.

I've recently stopped using it and haven't noticed any difference apart from the scent. Several repairmen have said over the years that It's a gimmick and that it just cloggs the machines up.

Yep me too. Not really a fan of fabric conditioner

I never use it, it makes me itchy. I also don't feel that it's necessary for everything to be scented, too many different scents fight with each other (shower gel, moisturiser, anti-perspirant, shampoo, conditioner, fabric conditioner and a perfume/after-shave is just a sneeze-inducing muddle when combined).

Yes, the same. Also don't use on sports clothing like polyester football kits.

Never use it. Hate the smell

No, I hate the smell and I think it makes towels feel slimy.
I also have a tumble dryer so I dry towels in there when I fancy a softer rub down or if I'm feeling extravagant 😂

This absolutely no need otherwise

No, I bought some once years ago because my husband complained about scratchy towels, but you’re not supposed to use it on towels anyway (and that explains why at PILs I feel like the towels don’t actually dry me!).
I do use the laundry disinfectant, or white vinegar and regularly clean the machine as were in a hard water area. And I just give the towels an hour on tumble before I hang them up and that fluffs them enough for me.

Not anymore, stopped a few months ago, i use laundry cleanser instead, everything still feels soft.
Towels i was told start on the washing line then finish in the tumble dryer, if you have one of course, works well

I live in an extremely hard water area so always use it. I always use fairy as I love the smell and really notice if I put less in than normal if it was running out.

I'm extremely fussy about how my clothes smell and when our machine broke, I was using my mums and brought round our powder & conditioner so it still smelt nice and like our clothes.

My mum uses bold & I can't stand the smell of my clothes when they've been washed in it.

When DC were young, they were great at working out which of their friends had left school jumpers etc at ours as they could tell whose it was by smelling it!

I use it but only on towels.
Never had a problem with it, as long as you make sure you air the machine and clean it regularly including a machine clean wash and I also use Limescale remover.
It definitely makes a difference, towels feel so soft.

Don't use it at all.

Interested in laundry disinfectant, vinegar, soda crystals and antibacterial stuff instead. I've never heard of these and have always just used softener but I am in a hard water area and My machine does seem to get clogged up. So where and when do I put any of the above in? In the softener drawer or direct in with the clothes into the drum?

I'm surprised that so many people like to use it on towels. On the few occasions that I've accidentally used softener on towels, I don't like that they won't dry me properly.

Ran out of it one day two washing machines ago. Washing the clothes made no discernible difference. Don't get gunked up machine. I am in a soft water area

I use it for skirts and shirts as we have very hard water so things come out less wrinkled and I don't need to iron them if I use softener

It's definitely not needed, but I do prefer the smell. Actually I use the pods now as the smell is even stronger but I have noticed my machine gets really full of soap - takes ages to shift the suds and I have to do maintenance washes more often. So not very eco friendly.

In the UK I used to use white vinegar in place of fabric softener as I found that made things smell even nicer. It's hard to buy where I live now.

Never used it, don't really know what it's meant for .

Petticoats??? Why am I getting images of Little House on the Prairie?

I use it, but way less than recommended dose. I have to say I hadn't realised about Tallow and the underarm deoderant thing (I do have stinky pits so have to do a 90 wash for t shirts often with white vinegar to give the machine a good clean through as well).

Maybe I will experiment with not using and see if there's a difference.

What anti bac products are people using?

I was toying with a dettol one the other week but in the end put it back.

Suggestions welcome.

I use dettol or fabulosa do one