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?

Haven't used it for years but did buy some yellow Lenor the other day for the bedding.

Since the DC are away at uni, bedlinen sits unused in the airing cupboard for weeks and loses its line-dried freshness, so I'm trialling the softener to see if the linen retains an gentle scent.

I feel like it's a Mumsnet thing to not use fabric softener, everyone I know uses it. I have started using it again after a while, sometimes I still also use vinegar. It makes my washing smell and feel much nicer.

I have also started using those scented bead things in some washes too <ducks for cover>

Bad for the environment but I use Fairy pods with the softener built-in.

I use a laundry disinfectant when washing DD's PE kit and socks.

I've never used it and didn't notice the difference. DH always used it so we started when we moved in. I persuaded him to switch to vinegar after a few months. It's terrible for the environment and he's loved fish so was easily persuaded.

I don't use it as I think it's what makes washing machines develop black mould. No fc, no mould.

We do this - for the exact same reason it gets rid of teenage boy smells!

I use the dettol anti bac laundry cleanser and just put it in the conditioner drawer

Yes, otherwise clothes come out stiff and scratchy, horrible.

I don’t use it. I always used to but ran out a few years ago and didn’t really see a difference so decided not to bother anymore!

Yes, what @CloudCatz said. We do live in a very hard water area so don’t know if that makes a difference. Also cuts down on ironing.

I don't use it on towels but use the non scented Comfort or Fairy on clothes

It does make a difference if the water is hard or soft, soft water probably doesn't need it

I live in a hard water area and have never used it. My mum never used it so my clothes just feel normal to me, maybe someone else would think they were scratchy or whatever but I don't know any different. If I want to smell of something I use perfume.

Fabric softener and a tumble dryer sheet.

I like the smell and the feel.

Yes, only a few drops though just to make it smell a bit nicer and take the edge off the scratchiness with towels/woollens

Nope not used in decades. Just use washing liquid like Ecover.

My neighbour uses those beads and must use the whole bottle every time, you can smell her washing coming down the road if it’s out on the line. I bought them once but they were too strong for me.

Yes but only about a quarter of the suggested dose. I camt stand it when people have clearly used loads of really stinky stuff

They are the worst culprit for smells. They reek.

Those who are using white vinegar - where do you buy it? I have a white vinegar spray I sue for armpits occasionally but haven't seen it in other packaging

I use Sainsburys own brand white vinegar. It's just down the vinegar aisle.

Doesn’t washing clothes in vinegar make them stink?!

Do the clothes smell like fish and chips if you use vinegar?

I've never used it. I hate the smell and the feel of clothes washed in it. I don't mind a scratchy towel, and live in a soft water area anyway. Even with washing powder I choose the one I can most tolerate the smell of.

I use it every wash. We went through a period of using the dettol antibacterial instead to try be more hygienic and not so much smell
and 100% honest could not work out why our washing smelt like it had had a washing cycle of putrid! Like the washing machine needed cleaning. Visitors would mention and try to give us tips to less smelly clothes when washing. We cleaned the washing machine regular, left it open to dry, did less washing incase it was over use. Had a small lightbulb of “let’s stop the dettol” and never smelt since. If anything now the house smells lovely when using conditioner. So absolutely, yes. And our clothes, towels and bedding are wonderful.