# 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:** 10\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/41 "2011-01-26T04:53:08Z")
I’m glad to see I’m not the only person who objects to fabric softener because of the smell. I can’t understand how people put up with it – the least revolting way I can think of to describe it is “it smells like someone took a bunch of old clothes, sprayed them with a ton of perfume, and left them in a drawer for 10 years where they got progressively staler and bug-eaten.” ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/42 "2011-01-26T04:56:56Z")
I don’t even understand what the purpose is. I don’t use it and I don’t see any difference. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/43 "2011-01-26T16:02:43Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > 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. I just started doing exactly this (but with a top loader). For now I set my cell phone alarm and run down to add the vinegar, but my Downy ball is in the mail right now so I won’t have to by this weekend. I tried only using vinegar; everything was way too static-y. Half an unscented Bounce sheet to the rescue! Anyone have tips for getting out the gym funk from synthetic gym clothes? My favorite shirt is having armpit stank like no other, even if I hang it to dry before washing it and scrub the armpits a bit. I’m also using Tide Coldwater, which is the #1 Consumer Reports recommended detergent, so I know that’s not the issue. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/44 "2011-01-27T01:57:07Z")
> [@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. We’ve always left the door open. Maybe it depends on the model. ---
**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 27, 2011, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/45 "2011-01-27T03:20:38Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > \ > > Anyone have tips for getting out the gym funk from synthetic gym clothes? My favorite shirt is having armpit stank like no other, even if I hang it to dry before washing it and scrub the armpits a bit. I’m also using Tide Coldwater, which is the #1 Consumer Reports recommended detergent, so I know that’s not the issue. I wish I knew; I have some nice dressy shirts made of synthetic fabrics that have the same problem - they always seems to smell sweaty, and I’m not a sweaty person. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/46 "2011-01-27T03:51:02Z")
Have you tried using the Dryel stain remover on your synthetic armpits? I’ve used that with success, but gym clothes are supposed to be line dried, so that’s out of the question. ETA: tee hee, synthetic armpits. ---
**Author:** ![tygre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@tygre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygre)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/47 "2011-01-27T04:01:39Z")
Don’t use anything. I used to use dryer sheets in winter but have given those up and not noticed a difference. I convinced my husband to quit using fabric softener and he was surprised to find that his clothes, sheets, and towels were just fine without it. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/48 "2011-01-27T23:39:33Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I don’t even understand what the purpose is. I don’t use it and I don’t see any difference. If you wash them then plop into a dryer, you’re probably right. If you line dry, or even worse drip dry inside, then the stiffness is obvious. Then liquid softener can be useful. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/49 "2011-01-28T00:43:11Z")
I’ll have you know I do not “plop”. I “place”, or “put”, or “gently convey”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236/50 "2011-01-28T00:48:41Z")
Count me as another vinegar user. Downy destroyed a shirt I loved dearly, making it threadbare in places where it wasn’t even facing friction. Yuck. I also hate the smell. > [@lindsaybluth](#): > > Anyone have tips for getting out the gym funk from synthetic gym clothes? [Sport-Wash](http://www.atsko.com/products/laundry-care/sport-wash-residue-free-detergent.html). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-poll/568236.md?page=2)