# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/21 "2011-01-20T17:50:09Z")
I got one of those Downy balls free at some point and bought some wonderful smelling softener. Vanilla lavender I believe. I thought since I hang dry my clothes it might be nice. But everything felt greasy! Smelled great but it wasn’t worth that feel. Now I just go straight for the lavender scented Gain clothes soap. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/22 "2011-01-20T17:55:28Z")
I can’t find a Downy ball to save my life; I’d love to put my white vinegar in it for softener. As is, I just try and time it. Really helps the loads with gym clothes, as those can’t be used with softener. I use dryer sheets maybe every other time I dry clothes. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/23 "2011-01-21T06:56:35Z")
Never use it, can’t stand it. The stuff makes my back and shoulders break out and the list of ingredients is basically the same as the laundry detergent my washer just rinsed _out_ of the clothes. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/24 "2011-01-21T08:30:25Z")
Liquid softener on synthetics and woolens. Vinegar on towels and sheets. No softener on cotton or linen clothing. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/25 "2011-01-21T12:47:03Z")
Liquid softener once in a while. Vinegar most of the time. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/26 "2011-01-21T12:49:08Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > Never use it. Hate the way it smells and feels. Seconding this, wholeheartedly. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/27 "2011-01-21T14:21:07Z")
I have a box of generic dryer sheets for thems that feel they have to use them, when they do their own laundry. When I do laundry, I don’t use any fabric softener. I think it’s a waste of money and don’t like the idea of putting yet another jug of chemicals into the water supply, just because someone needs a ‘softer’ towel to dry their butt. I do have a bottle of Downy, though, because over Christmas Mr. Sali got a couple of stiff heavy twill shirts from Cabella’s. He washed and washed and washed them, and they were still stiff as boards. After some internets research, I bought the Downy, filled up a pail with water and a LOT of fabric softener, and let them soak overnight. The next day I ran them through the washer for the umpteenth time, and to my surprise it worked - they were nice and soft and comfy! Stayed that way, tool. ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/28 "2011-01-21T14:50:44Z")
None. I add a bit vinegar instead for the rinse cycle which helps with detergent residue. This book has some good advice on these kinds of topics > **[Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House: Mendelson, Cheryl:...](https://www.amazon.com/Home-Comforts-Science-Keeping-House/dp/0743272862)** > > Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House \[Mendelson, Cheryl\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House ---
**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 21, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/29 "2011-01-21T15:17:01Z")
> [@beagledave](#): > > None. > > I add a bit vinegar instead for the rinse cycle which helps with detergent residue. > > This book has some good advice on these kinds of topics > > [Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House: Mendelson, Cheryl: 9780743272865: Amazon.com: Books](http://www.amazon.com/Home-Comforts-Science-Keeping-House/dp/0743272862/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1295621366&sr=8-4) I love that book! It’s a fabulous home-care manual, with tons of great information on so many different things. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/30 "2011-01-21T15:26:55Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I use dryer sheets on everything, towels included. I could never tell that my towels “don’t dry enough” or whatever. I’ve noticed this occasionally, but it seems to be correlated with, ironically enough, the expensive fabric softener sheets. When the dollar store has an overstock of the name brand stuff, I’ll pick it up, only to find that my towels push the liquid around instead of suck it up. I don’t have that problem with the cheap sheets. If my washer wasn’t two floors down, I’d use the vinegar in the rinse technique, but as there’s no alarm, and I couldn’t hear it if there was, and I’m not willing to stand down there for 30 minutes to get the timing right, I use the sheets. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/31 "2011-01-21T16:03:35Z")
**WhyNot** , you should get a Downy ball. It releases when the rinse cycle kicks on, kickstarted by the water filling back up. Some people can find them at Wally World or Target, but I haven’t been able to lately, so I’m getting one on Amazon [here](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VA2VV0/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ALRIT3VUWRH34). ---
**Author:** ![Sally\_Mander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@Sally\_Mander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sally_Mander)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/32 "2011-01-21T16:14:50Z")
I use Bounce in the dryer, but I tear the sheets into thirds. A third of a sheet works just as well as a whole one. And _never, ever, ever_ on towels. I spent the weekend at my mother’s a few months ago and convinced her to stop fabric softening her towels. None of them worked like towels are supposed to work! They had no absorbency at all. ---
**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 25, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/33 "2011-01-25T19:11:01Z")
How the Downy Ball works: > **[How does the Downy fabric-softener ball work?](https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-hints-tips/cleaning-organizing/question677.htm)** > > The Downy fabric-softener ball has to be one of the simplest inventions ever. Learn how this fabric-softener ball uses Newton's first law of motion with the help of this article. ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/34 "2011-01-25T19:24:53Z")
I don’t use it. Just never felt the need, and I’m not fond of the smell. But I might try the vinegar in the rinse now, just to see how it goes. I’m using vinegar for more things as time goes on. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/35 "2011-01-26T02:20:45Z")
My high-efficiency washer has a place to put softener, so I’ve started using vinegar in the washer and half a Bounce sheet in the dryer. I don’t find it makes my clothes or towels greasy or non-absorbent, but we have spectacularly hard water here - I think I’m just normalizing my washing with a bit of both. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/36 "2011-01-26T02:38:00Z")
Only use it via the washer dispenser well with towels, sheets and the like ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/37 "2011-01-26T02:48:52Z")
I voted liquid, but I just found out my wife switched to dryer sheets (unscented, half a sheet). When she used liquid, she used much less of that than they said to use. No fabric softener on towels. She switched from liquid because it was making our washer (a front loader) smell, a sort of moldy scent. Apparently that’s a common complaint with front loaders. She says it’s much cleaner and no smell since she stopped using it. Never had this problem in the older top loader. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/38 "2011-01-26T03:26:33Z")
With a rock, down by the Old Mill. > [@NinetyWt](#): > > However, I don’t judge people who like to use it. 🙂 I do, despicable low lifes. (joke) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/39 "2011-01-26T03:34:30Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > I voted liquid, but I just found out my wife switched to dryer sheets (unscented, half a sheet). When she used liquid, she used much less of that than they said to use. No fabric softener on towels. > > She switched from liquid because it was making our washer (a front loader) smell, a sort of moldy scent. Apparently that’s a common complaint with front loaders. She says it’s much cleaner and no smell since she stopped using it. Never had this problem in the older top loader. I’ve heard that front loaders need to be left open to dry after use so they don’t smell musty - I’ve done that since we got ours, and it’s never smelled musty. I’ve never heard that fabric softeners had anything to do with it, just the moisture left inside the washer. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/40 "2011-01-26T04:38:09Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I’ve heard that front loaders need to be left open to dry after use so they don’t smell musty - I’ve done that since we got ours, and it’s never smelled musty. I’ve never heard that fabric softeners had anything to do with it, just the moisture left inside the washer. Definitely. Leave your front loader open after a wash to prevent the mildew smell. We learned that the hard way. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236.md?page=3)