Fabric softener in washer or dryer?

Emily Hurley

12 years ago

Do you use fabric softener in your washing machine or dryer? Is there a difference? Maybe you don't use it at all?

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Washer

Dryer

Both

Neither

Featured Answer

Delora Dickey

12 years ago

Some people are more sensitive to added chemicals than others and need to adjust their lifestyle accordingly. However, I recollect growing up in a small desert town where we children left the house in the morning and didn't come back until dinner time. We made entire home layout designs in the dirt, rode up and down hills, bugs, critters, snakes et al captured our attention. Weeds, pollen, and dust covered us head-to-toe. We had dirt, sand, & bacteria in every pore by the end of the day.

Our homes were clean, but not sterilized with bleach, micro-bacterial agents, etc. like so many do today. Dropped your lollipop? Rinse it off and keep going! In over 20 years, there was only 1 person we knew that had asthma - and he was a newcomer. No one had autism, or ADD, or allergies, or any other issues that are so prevalent today. People may blame todays ills on the chemicals in products. - but we had harsher chemicals in our products back then.

What we didn't have was an obsession with germs. I truly believe that we are slowly weakening our bodies immune defense system, via implementation of "leave no germ/bacteria alive" mentality. Some of the most deadly things out there are "natural" chemicals. Growing up amidst these things, I believe, left all of us quite healthy!

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Comments (192)

tw123456
12 years ago
Saltcity, You sound so fooooolish, and silly ;0), read what you just posted to me, I think you are the self righteous one, and what's more, I can tell that you are GREEN with envy of people who are willing and able to consume the things they want without feeling Guilty, as you apparently do.
Oh, one more thing, a reminder to you, don't butt in into other people's conversations, but I guess you just can't help your self, because you are just a busybody ;0))).
tw123456
12 years ago
kranno, I am sorry for the misunderstanding, but when I saw the word earth, I thought you were one of those environmentalists, who are always screaming about one thing or another, and trying to make everyone miserable.
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User
12 years ago
I was taught that proper etiquette was to never discuss religion or politics because they are so highly contentious. I'm thinking I am going to add fabric softener to that as well. Who knew?!
km kane
12 years ago
Kranno, I'll bet tw123456 was directing that rant to me. But I don't care, we do share the earth. And we do need to think about its health. As Margaret Meade said, "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

We no longer use ozone-depleting hydro-chlorofluorocarbons in spray containers, do we? We THOUGHT they were safe, until we saw the damage they caused. So we eliminated them where possible. And lots of other chemical we used to use. After all, we DO reserve the right to get smarter.

Ozone depletion was a globally significant issue, and it did contribute to climate change. So yeah, I believe in climate change, and that chemicals can be damaging.

Use products that work for you, but do remember that much of what we do affects others. And it's OK for those others to ask you to remember that. No need to get wildly angry about it.
tw123456
12 years ago
Since someone earlier had mentioned dryer sheets cause towels to be rough, I think I'll try using fabric softener along with the dryer sheets.
Sharyn
12 years ago
I wonder if the women who beat their clothes against a rock had this discussion?
Tes Scholtz
12 years ago
Oh probably, Sharyn! I can't believe some women had the nerve to beat their clothes against obsidian rocks when this nice piece of granite is just up the river!!
tw123456
12 years ago
Most likely Sharyn, Mother Earth lovers, must have constantly harassed the rock beaters, because they thought that the women were beating their clothes way too hard, and hurting Mother Earth's rocks. LOL
Bridget
12 years ago
Tw123456, sorry, did not know you were so touch. All I was trying to do was point out something's, make people think or maybe read some labels. Did not mean to start WWIII.
Call me a tree huger if you want. I do enjoy where I live, being able to walk in nature, seeing the rare wild flowers, the Pink Lady Slippers, Fringed Yellow Orchids, different Trillium. I also get to see black bears, foxes, coyotes and mountain lions, Great Horned Owl, falcons, hawks, red headed woodpeckers. June is the mating time of fireflies and I get to see the greatest light show on earth.

What I don't have are boom boxes, car alarms, hearing pistol shots, police sirens, police screaming for someone to get out of the F***en car, light pollution. I am not asking anyone to move where I am, as a matter of I wish they would stay away.

What I do know is I can not use fabric softener, have not been able to for over 30 years, can not eat anything with preservatives. That GMO do cause problems that we are not fully aware of, yet.

All I was trying to do was to have, maybe, a few people think.
tw123456
12 years ago
Good morning kamkane, you are right, you are the ONE I was directing my comment to.
tw123456
12 years ago
Good morning kranno, I do apologize for the mix up in the posts, the mix up in the names was my mistake. As you can see, some of the letters are similar in both names.
Again, I do apologize.
kranno
12 years ago
While it has been interesting, I believe we have come to an understanding of one another. Right? I am signing off and putting my two cents worth in on other posts on Houzz. Maybe some of you will too.
Josephine Vella
12 years ago
ho ho ho wait a minute I never insulted anyone !I was saying what I do may I should`nt be bothered!!!!
eochu
12 years ago
After having no dryer at all for a year or so (line-drying everything in salty Caribbean air) I realized we really didn't need softener. Never used it in the 10 years since and never missed it. I'm another one who is sensitive to strong fragrances, but I'm certainly not about to tell my neighbors how to do their laundry. If I am walking by when they have their dryer running, I just hold my breath for a second.
tw123456
12 years ago
eochu, a good motto to live by, is, "live and let live".
km kane
12 years ago
Yep tw123456, didn't take much to figure out you were going after me. Still not sure why you have to go after anyone. So I'm with kranno, those comments are just too negative and acerbic to stay. I've learned as much as I need, and once the attacks start, it's degraded to the point of being unproductive. Have at it. Guess I'll know who to beware of from now on.
Bridget
12 years ago
Kmkane, I thought tw123456 was coming after me! I had a WTF moment(1/2 a second) and that was a bit over the top. At least tw123456 could have spelled your user name correctly. I am with you and kranno, moving on.

To tw123456:
tw123456
12 years ago
Good morning everyone ;0), are you getting flooded with rainstorms daily, we sure are, but I wish it would quit raining, so I can hang the laundry out on the line.
saltcitybabe
12 years ago
Last night I googled chemicals and their effects in fabric softeners. The article also stated how they effected the washer and dryer. There is nothing healthy about using the liquid or sheets. I know that some of you don't really believe that we, and the earth, and the atmosphere are suffering from all these unnecessary additives in what we put in, on, and around us 24/7. But, I and many of us are. The problem is, as much effort as some of us put into being proactive concerning all these issues, we are still subject to contamination by those who stubbornly cling to them. Have a great weekend. I am off to the gym, but first a stop at the paper recycling bin.
tw123456
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
No rain this afternoon so, we are having a big fish, clam, and lobster cookout/bake, then it's off to the demolition derby tonight. I hope everyone is going to have a great Fathers' Day weekend.
I forgot the frog gigging, and a pic of one of the demolition derbies we had been to.
saltcitybabe
12 years ago
whatever
tw123456
12 years ago
Good morning Ketan ;0), I am sorry I have not been able to post some pics of the deck, we are listing our house for sale, (have been very busy) and the painters will not be here for a few days, The deck needs to be power washed, and painted. I, in a couple of hours, will go out, and take a few pics for you to see.
maarivekki
12 years ago
basically we don't use driers in Italy. Saves a huge lot of power and nature resources!
partim
12 years ago
I wish my neighbor didn't use scented dryer sheets. It smells unpleasantly strong in my back yard when her dryer is running. I'd rather smell my own flowers.

My workplace is scent free. It is so much more pleasant than when people wore perfumes and highly scented products. But then, I remember when people smoked in the office - now that was really nasty, especially when I was pregnant.

Times have changed.
kranno
12 years ago
Do you work outside the home? Maybe we are spoiled in the U.S. to have dryers and other modern conveniences, but most of us have had to work. When I was first married, I remember using a wringer washer and hanging clothes outside on the line. Hope I never have to go back to that scenario.

When I worked before retirement, there was one employee that used way too much perfume, I believe, to hide body odor. So I understand someone not liking fabric softener odor mingling with the outside fresh air. But these neighbors must live extremely close.
partim
12 years ago
I don' t know whether you'd say we are extremely close, our houses are about 12 feet apart. We live in the city, not in the country. Their dryer vent discharges from the side of their house in my house's direction.

The smell is strong enough that the other day my husband got a fit of sneezing from the strong smell and we decided to stop gardening and go indoors until the dryer stopped.
tw123456
12 years ago
partim, I think your husband did the right thing, when he went in the house. When people complain about certain tv shows, those people are always told to switch the channel, because there are others who want to watch those shows.
partim
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I think it's quite different from the TV show analogy. The neighbor's actions prevented our enjoyment.

We weren't happy to have to go in the house because our neighbor is dumping completely unnecessary stinking chemicals into the common air. My husband and I both work, and the weekend is the only time that we have to enjoy gardening.

We didn't do the right thing by choice, we were driven into the house.
kranno
12 years ago
We live in the city too and our closest neighbor is probably about as close as yours. I love the dryer smell, but understand if you do not. This issue is the first I have ever heard anyone have problems like mentioned on here and I am 72 years old.
tw123456
12 years ago
saultcity, and Bridget, I thought you two were leaving this thread.
Partim, do you know if your neighbors also work during the week, because if they do, then it is the only time they have to do their chores. I have a feeling you are going to say that they don't, or one of them does not.
Also, do you think your neighbors like seeing out there all the time, because you being outside, might be annoying them too, just saying.
partim
12 years ago
My neighbor does not work during the week. The mother is fortunate to be able to stay home with her young children. It would be nice if the laundry was done during the week but this is their choice of course.

I don't know the point of your asking whether they can see us from their yard. We cannot see each other because of where we planted our trees 27 years ago. Unfortunately there is no way to "screen" the outdoors for smells.

They are lovely neighbors. I'm not a curmudgeon who complains nonstop about people.

My only point is about the use of dryer sheets, and that using them does affect other people if your dryer vents outdoors.
User
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
After reading throught these comments I happened to stop in at Home Goods and came across "woolzies," dryer balls. At $13.00for three, I thought they were pricey but purchased anyway. Love them, I do believe drying time is cut down.
saltcitybabe
12 years ago
advira, I stop at Home Goods every Tuesday after my line dance class. Will look for them. Someone mentioned wadding up tin foil and tossing that in the dryer.
tw123456
12 years ago
Last week I helped a friend by cleaning her gas range trivets, and the plates under them with a heavy duty oven cleaner, while she was out of town, and yes she sure was surprised.
Boy, talking about bad scents, and fumes, was good I was able to open the doors and windows to get all those fumes out, and get the fresh air in.
steiner
11 years ago
I mainly stopped using them for the health issues but my biggest concern is the fire hazard. After cleaning dryer vent pipes in many different houses I've owned I can see how it creates a sticky lint mess. It's amazing how fast the critter cage on the vent cover clogs up when using dryer sheets versus not using them. I also have found several mummified critters in vents that did not have the critter cage over the vent cover.
I have started using some of these more natural remedies like my grand parents used. Don't miss the chemicals or scents at all. I dry most everything on low heat and it seems to take the same amount of time, isn't as wrinkled, isn't baked to death and saves energy. I have your basic model washer and dryer and they do the same if not better than the high tech models which I've had in the past. Do you really need a computer to run these and the repair bills are ridiculous.
The only good use of cheap Lilac scented dryer sheets is for mosquito repellent.
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Gilmans Kitchens and Baths
11 years ago
No fabric softener in either washer & dryer. I air dry all my more delicate items, and the rest really doesn't cling. Saves $$ and is healthier that way.
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FurreverYours
11 years ago
Either one since I happen to love the clean linen smell. #BeSeenBeSafe
Momof5x
11 years ago
I use it as it makes ironing towels much easier, also prevents static and is help with quality of water in some places. I heard using the dry ones is best in a dryer. I use liquid one though as hang washing outside.
Shannon
11 years ago
I use felted wool dryer balls. They help soften the clothes and also shorten the drying time. I have very sensitive skin and am migraine prone. I avoid chemicals whenever possible.
saltcitybabe
11 years ago
Fabric softener can also adhere to the plate of your iron. I didn't know one ironed towels.
chloebud
11 years ago
Neither for me, too. Someone mentioned OxiClean...love their products.
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Interior Affairs -- Vickie Daeley
11 years ago
Dryer sheets...are great!
suezbell
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
When I add fabric softener, I only add a small bit of unscented to the FIRST rinse and this is mostly to cut the soap suds and make the clothes rinse more fully. That way the clothes are not as stiff as they might be without softener -- they don't have the softener smell but then they don't have all the softener oil left on the towels impeding absorbancy or making clothes itchy to sensitive skin either.
Judy Henry
10 years ago
I use detergent, fabric softener and bleach and never had any problems with either of them. I guess I'm not sensitive.
ritting28
10 years ago
I add distilled white vinegar in the washer softener dispenser. Works great.
Lisa Gauldin
9 years ago
I use odoban as my detergent and softener, it works great, smells awesome and does not gunk up my washer ( that is a wonderful bactrial breeder ;) ) I use it at an antifungal strength for the rest of my household cleaner, it is good for deodorizer ( which is what I bought it for in the first place), it's at home depot, very reasonable in price, lavender, clean linen, citrus, and eucalyptus scents , I like them all, not overpowering but the scent lasts, I also use proffessional grade clorox from home depot.
e p
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
No fabric softeners for me - 1. I think it makes clothing feel weird and greasy 2. it stinks to high heavens (along with detergents like Tide and Gain - you can smell people who them a block away... ). Unscented detergent and no dryer sheets for me thanks.
gmom70
6 years ago
I have Maytag like in the picture (red ones). My repair man said use the fabric softener in washer but when you buy the bottle, right away open it and fill with water to the top. Thin it down, it does not need to be as concentrated as it is. After I have used it down I then add still more water and thin still more.
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
6 years ago
This is an old thread. And very odd to see such back and forth about environmental issues. I'm really surprised to find multiple people who have no interest in the subject and being hostile to people who do.

But today, even though it's only a few years since this thread was published, I think there is even more reason to make smart decisions about the products we buy and bring into our homes. If you don't care about the environment, I would think you would care about your family's health. We are all overloaded with chemical exposure in our homes, at work and in the environment. Products made by companies whose primary concern is not anyone's health and well being. Profit is the bottom line. PR departments that cover up their lack of safety concerns.

I haven't used fabric softener for decades, and after reading about it's effects on the website ewg dot org, I have even more reason not to use it. It is the Environmental Working Group that evaluates all kinds of products and the water we drink, etc. I've made a lot of changes to what I buy in the past two years, but fabric softener has been off my list for decades. I have always hated the fragrance added to clothes. When I pull clean clothes out of the wash or dryer, I want them to have no odor at all. Just clean. I do add white vinegar to the rinse cycle instead of softener. It helps to remove detergent residue and is supposed to do a little softening.
suezbell
6 years ago
Adding fabric softener helps neutralize soap but it does leave its own residue.

For only those clothes that would be uncomfortably stiff with out it, add fabric softener to the FIRST rinse.

Adding fabric softener to towels will decrease how much moisture they can absorb.

Adding fabric softener to pillow cases can make your hair be more oily.

Fabric softener in washer or dryer?

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