What is fabric softener and what does it do?

Laundry day lover or loather, we’d like to bet that most of you can appreciate the sheer bliss of slipping into seriously soft sheets sporting fluffy, freshly washed PJs. And while this may seem like a luxury reserved solely for skilled launderers, it doesn’t have to be. With the help of fabric softener, you too can take your washing from rough and wrinkled to smooth and sweet-smelling. Today, we’re walking you through all you need to know about this household essential, covering all your FAQs (think: what is fabric softener? Do you need fabric softener? What does fabric softener do?) as well as some of our favourite fabric softeners on the market.

What is fabric softener?

Fabric softener is a conditioning agent designed to be used alongside laundry detergent during the washing process. It works by coating fabric fibres in a lubricating film that gives your clothing that soft and smooth texture we know and love.

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What does fabric softener do?

• Protects fabric—While clothes are in the washing machine, they undergo many different processes (i.e. washing, rinsing, spinning) that can be damaging over time. Fabric softener gives an extra layer of protection against this damage, therefore helping to prolong the life of your clothing.
• Reduces bobbling—When using fabric softener, less friction is created between items during the wash cycle, which reduces the chance of fibres balling up (bobbling).
• Improves fragrance—while detergent alone freshens up your washing, fabric softeners contain perfume bubbles that latch onto your clothing to give it a long-lasting fragrance.
• Reduces creasing – Fabric softener’s smoothing qualities reduce the stiffness that causes clothes to wrinkle, resulting in fewer creases and a smaller ironing pile!

How to use fabric softener

1. Separate your laundry

The first port of call is to separate out the items that work best with fabric softener, e.g. natural materials like cotton and linen. Fabric softeners can hinder the effectiveness of flame-resistant clothing and moisture-absorbing fabrics like microfibre, so be sure to wash those separately.

2. Check where your fabric softener dispenser is

In most washing machines, there is a dispenser draw where you put your laundry detergent and fabric softener. Typically, the fabric softener section will be marked by a flower or star icon. If you’re unsure, it’s probably time to dig out the washing machine manual!

3. Measure out the correct amount of fabric softener and add it to the dispenser

While most fabric softeners recommend using the product cap to measure the perfect amount of product (e.g. one cap), others may differ, so it’s worth checking the product packaging before adding it in.

For newer washing machines, you can add fabric softener at the start of the wash, and it will dispense it just before the rinse cycle. But for those with an older model, you may have to go old school and add it in manually just before your machine rinses.

Note: Fabric softener needs to be diluted, so always add it via the dispenser draw, never directly into the drum.

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