The case for fabric softener: when to use it and why

Sure, you could wash your clothes with just detergent. But just like you wouldn’t skip conditioner after shampooing your hair, fabric softener offers an extra level of care that elevates your everyday laundry routine and provides important fabric care benefits.

So how does it work? Fabric softener contains “positively charged” conditioners that are attracted to the “negatively charged” surfaces of your fabrics. The softener acts like a protectant that neutralizes the charge and smooths and softens the fibers.

This has a cascade of positive effects or “pros”:

• Unparalleled softness and fluffiness.
Fabric softener makes clothes softer to the touch and more comfortable against your skin. This is especially noticeable with towels, bedding, denim, t-shirts, and cozy clothes like sweatshirts (especially if you use it starting with the first wash), which are often made of natural fibers like cotton that are prone to damage and can become rough and scratchy over time.

Bath towels, for example, become softer and fluffier with the use of fabric softener, but not weighed down. That’s because they maintain their ability to absorb water, while the fabric softener traps air between fibers and prevents the fibers from becoming matted down.

Fabric protection.

The tumbling and agitation of the washing process inevitably leads to wear and tear on your clothes. The average top-loader washer can spin clothes as fast as 50 miles per hour and thrash them 3,000 times every single wash. With its protective properties, fabric softener helps safeguard the fibers of your favorite clothes against damage, reducing pills and fuzz. At the same time, fabric softener helps lubricate fibers so they can move and flex more easily, preventing clothes from stretching out of shape.

Fade prevention.

Contrary to popular belief, not all clothes fading is due to dye loss. Instead, when clothes experience abrasion like during wear or during washing and tumble drying, the surface becomes fuzzy, which makes colored items look less vibrant. By conditioning fabric fibers, fabric softener prevents this fuzzing that can cause clothes to look faded.This helps keep your clothes, especially dark clothes, looking vibrant.

Reduced static.

Fabric softener helps neutralize the electrostatic charge that causes static cling, which is especially helpful when you’re laundering athletic wear or clothes made with synthetic fibers that are susceptible to clinging. Say goodbye to shocks and clothes sticking together—just clothes that are comfortable to the touch and ready-to-wear right out of the dryer.

Wrinkle prevention.

Fabric softener helps relax and lubricate fabric fibers, making clothes less susceptible to wrinkling. This means less ironing and smoother-looking clothes. This is a major time-saver for those who prefer to skip the ironing board. (Pro tip: If you do choose to iron, fabric softener can even help the iron glide more smoothly across clothes, making ironing easier.)

Unbeatable fresh scent.

A recent study shows that pleasant scents can offer emotional benefits, such as improving mood, relieving anxiety, or evoking nostalgia. Our fabric softeners come in unscented formulas as well as scented ones that make your clothes smell fresh with long-lasting scent, so you can experience the delight of your favorite scent anytime.

By incorporating fabric softener into your wash cycle you can enjoy clothes that are softer, cozier, and more protected— keeping the clothes you love today looking and feeling their best tomorrow.