# Fabric Softener Poll **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 19, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236 "2011-01-19T19:32:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/1 "2011-01-19T19:32:45Z")
What is your preferred way to soften your clothes? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/2 "2011-01-19T19:36:17Z")
Fabric _what_-ener? ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/3 "2011-01-19T19:39:17Z")
I’ve always preferred liquid fabric softener over dryer sheets. But for a long time, I had a washing machine that you had to catch at just the right time to add the softener. It didn’t even have an alarm on it to let you know when it was time! So I used dryer sheets. Now, though, I have a front-load washer that has a little drawer you pull out to put your detergent and softener in, and it dispenses them at just the right time. So now I use the liquid. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/4 "2011-01-19T20:13:05Z")
I used to do it when I didn’t have a working dryer and airdried (used liquid softener, during second rinse cycle). As **norinew** suggests, sometimes that didn’t work out quite like I hoped. I now use nothing because I rarely have problems with the consistency of my clothes. If it is uncomfortable I can pop it in the dryer for 15 minutes before wearing. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/5 "2011-01-19T21:39:40Z")
I dislike the smell of fabric softeners, and I dislike the greasy way it makes clothes feel. I consider fabric softeners to be a waste of money. However, I don’t judge people who like to use it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/6 "2011-01-19T22:08:30Z")
I had used all kinds of softeners, until one day when I had to do laundry and was out of softener. I did it anyway, and realized that I didn’t need it. ---
**Author:** ![expectopatronum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/expectopatronum/32/173_2.png) [@expectopatronum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/expectopatronum)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/7 "2011-01-19T23:27:05Z")
gain apple mango tango dryer sheets, usually 3-4 of them. that combined with their hawaiian aloha detergent makes my clothes smell like candy. amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/8 "2011-01-19T23:35:14Z")
I don’t use any softener at all for most whites and towels. Towels get coated and less absorbent, and while they smell nicely perfumed if softener is used I prefer actual towel qualities like absorbency more than pretty smells. Most whites here are socks and undies, they don’t seem to require softener either, since they’re often being washed with white towels and we’ve never noticed a lack. Liquid softeners in regular loads of shirts and pants makes a huge difference in wearability. Since I categorically refuse to iron and wear mostly cotton work shirts, softeners keep me looking somewhat presentable and I like the static reduction factor as well. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/9 "2011-01-20T00:21:34Z")
Liquid softener for non-towel loads, but only about a tablespoon or less. It works just as well as a cupful, without smelling up the whole load or over-coating the clothes. If I happen to have run out, I’ll use 1/3 of a sheet of softener, but they clog up the holes in the filter over time. I can’t stand smelling someone else’s fabric softener sheets on their clothes. If you use so much that people can smell it in a cloud of odor as you walk by, it’s too much - those sheets are really heavily perfumed. One time at the grocery store, the bagger put my package of Bounce next to a loaf of bread (bread was in a plastic bag). By the time I got home, the loaf of bread had picked up the smell of the Bounce and was inedible. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/10 "2011-01-20T00:48:02Z")
I use dryer sheets on everything, towels included. I could never tell that my towels “don’t dry enough” or whatever. I air-dry my shirts. I sort of wish I used liquid fabric softener in the washing machine so my shirts aren’t so stiff, but I don’t think my cheap-ass machine has a release for it. I do use Bounce Free, tho. Can’t stand the smell of fabric softeners. I washed my comforter at mom’s house a month ago and used her dryer sheets…the smell kept me up nights 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Credible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Justin\_Credible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Credible)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/11 "2011-01-20T02:20:00Z")
I use dryer sheets for everything except towels. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/12 "2011-01-20T02:54:07Z")
I cut all my dryer sheets in half. A half sheet works great, while I used to get stains on stuff from whole sheets. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/13 "2011-01-20T02:57:10Z")
Half a dryer sheet per load, because I hate getting zapped from all the static when I’m folding non-fabric-softenered clothes straight out of the dryer. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/14 "2011-01-20T15:19:38Z")
1/2 cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle of the washing machine. ---
**Author:** ![kapri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kapri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kapri)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/15 "2011-01-20T15:25:48Z")
I use half a dryer sheet and buy those that are scent-free because I don’t want my clothes to smell like anything. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/16 "2011-01-20T15:32:05Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I air-dry my shirts. I sort of wish I used liquid fabric softener in the washing machine so my shirts aren’t so stiff, but I don’t think my cheap-ass machine has a release for it. Have you tried the [Downy Ball?](http://www.downy.com/en-US/product/the-downy-ball.jspx) I’ve got one and have success actually using it in my little washing machine. I line dry all of my stuff so I don’t use the sheets, but I do put a sheet in the pocket behind the driver’s seat in my car. It’s cheaper, smells better, and is less obnoxious than those air freshener trees. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/17 "2011-01-20T15:49:54Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > Have you tried the [Downy Ball?](http://www.downy.com/en-US/product/the-downy-ball.jspx) … I consider it one of the great inventions of my lifetime. I bought a washer that I believed had a fabric softener holder. But it didn’t. I kept messing up the timing of adding the softener liquid. And then I discovered the Downy Ball. I have no idea how it works, but it works every time. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/18 "2011-01-20T16:52:15Z")
I use the Downy Ball, with Ecover brand softener; it’s very concentrated and doesn’t leave that feeling of residue that I’ve felt with other softeners, plus remaining scent, if any, is subtle. Occasionally I’ll alternate with some white vinegar mixed with a little lavender essential oil; I have them pre-mixed in a vinegar bottle next to the washer. The essential oil cuts any vinegar smell but isn’t noticeable in the clothing, and the vinegar helps cut through any detergent/softener buildup, from what I’ve read. One thing with the Downy Ball is that it may not open up if you’ve overstuffed the washer; since that also may mean your clothes don’t get cleaned properly anyway, it’s a habit to break. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/19 "2011-01-20T16:53:41Z")
Never use it. Hate the way it smells and feels. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/20 "2011-01-20T17:00:12Z")
I wash my clothes to get them clean, not to add wax and smelly stuff to them. Put me down as “none.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236.md?page=2)