How do I get soft AND nice smelling laundry? PLEASE HELP!

[LilsMummyJ]

Those of you who have super soft and nice smelling laundry, what is your secret??
I use fairy non-bio gel detergent. I live in a soft water area.
Should I use softener or no softener? I keep seeing conflicting views. What about scent beads?
What settings should I use? Eco? Hot? Cold? Long wash? Quick wash? Does the spin speed matter? Extra rinse? Steam? It's so confusing!
Using the dryer definitely makes things softer but I can't really afford to use it daily and I am scared of shrinking things.
If it makes a difference, I have a hisense washer/dryer combo.

I feel like I've tried so many options and I just keep getting rough, scratchy laundry that doesn't even smell fresh 😭

I often get compliments on my clothing smelling nice - I would never personally go without fabric conditioner but I like clothes to have quite a strong smell after washing. I know a lot of others don’t like that! I use laundry tablets (I don’t think it matters which, currently using Asda own brand - two in each load) but use a decent amount of Lenor concentrated fabric conditioner each time. Currently love the Outdoorables and get a load when on offer at Asda! The lovely smell lasts most of the day :) I generally wash at 40 degrees and either line dry or dry indoors if weather is bad (results seem to be around the same) ☀️

Do you even use softener on towels? I hear you shouldn't but it's a lot of separating if I have to sort by colour and softener/no softener

Personally yes I do as I like the smell, hadn’t realised it was such a no-no until I read on here a few days ago that many people are horrified at people doing so! But I prefer the smell of it on towels and they stay fresh after a good few uses. Personally have never had an issue with them not drying properly! I go to the gym/swim a lot and love the smell of my washing powder when I get my towel out of my gym bag (saddo 🤣)

I like the smell of expensive perfume, not laundry powder. Why not go with perfume?

I asked a girl in work who always smells of lovely washing powder! She said no short washes, eco , quick etc don't get a good smell. Temp doesn't matter but use bio no non bio. I've tried and there is a difference. I was using the quick wash before and non bio.

I like perfume too but feel nice smelling laundry smells clean and fresh all day whereas perfume just smells nice for a few hours

Will try longer washes! I started using non-bio for my baby but will experiment with bio vs non-bio so long as the baby doesn't react to it. Thanks!

I use both? They’re two very different smells!

I used Ariel last wash. I wanted to use Halo or Zoflora with it as I am incontinent at times and had had a few accidents. However just the Ariel and then later Lenor tumble drier sheets made every smell lovely!

Depending on what I'm washing ,
I use Ecover colour liquid on black clothes
Aldi coconut powder or capsuals on anything else .

But I bought some small boxes of the Sainsbury 3-in-1 capsuals ( colour and Bio) for my DC to use when I was away as I didn't want them overdoing the detergent .
They smell SO nice , I bought a box of the Non Bio for delicates .

I know Capsuals aren't good for the machine but I do towels (white) in a hot wash with powder and my scrubs with a 60c and whatever powder I have handy

Fabric conditioner is Ecover .
Machine is a 10kg , I use one capsual or an eggcup size of powder with Astonish powder if stains .

I don't use a short cycle .

I use vinegar to soften and zoflora sometimes
for the smell, and if I’d like to tackle my teenagers’ smelly sports kit or anything else which is harbouring its own ecosystem.

I use Tesco non bio and then comfort heavenly nectar and everyone comments on my washing smelling divine!
But we live in a garden water area so have to use more each wash.
When we holiday in Cornwall my clothes smell lovely and are beautifully soft!

Have you tried the new fairy scent op? I think it's called silk tree and jasmine or similar. There's a matching fabric softener too if you wanted to stick with fairy.
For me, lenor is the best softener. I use it on towels, but every now and then I wash the towels using normal detergent but white vinegar in the softener compartment. It helps to keep them soft and removes product build up.
I wash most clothes on a long 30 or 40 degree wash. Towels and bedding at 60 degrees. I never use the quick wash unless I need one item clean in a hurry.
I'm currently using persil (powder for whites/lights, liquid for darks/coloured), and lenor outdoorable fabric softener and my laundry smells great for ages.

https://www.lakeland.co.uk/46220/wilton-london-laundry-liquid-1l-botanical-cedarwood

I think this smells lovely especially on bed linen dried outside.

I think they do a fabric conditioner in the same fragrance but I don't use it. I like scratchy towels - more exfoliating and dry me better. Can't stand soft slippy towels.