# Which is easier on my clothes? Fabric softener vs. dryer sheets?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-easier-on-my-clothes-fabric-softener-vs-dryer-sheets/204252>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 28, 2003, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-easier-on-my-clothes-fabric-softener-vs-dryer-sheets/204252 "2003-09-28T05:50:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![BrianS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c6cbf5/32.png) [@BrianS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianS)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-easier-on-my-clothes-fabric-softener-vs-dryer-sheets/204252/1 "2003-09-28T05:50:38Z")

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Which is easier on my clothes? Fabric softener or dryer sheets?

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**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-easier-on-my-clothes-fabric-softener-vs-dryer-sheets/204252/2 "2003-09-28T14:54:32Z")

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They both do the same thing: coat the fibers of your clothing with an oil (or wax – basically the same thing).

So, neither type of softener is really ‘hard’ on your clothes like detergent or bleach would be. In fact, the softener is something of a protector of clothes.

However, you **are** oiling your clothes. This can lock in dirt and prevent the detergent from working effectively the next time it goes to be washed. And, personally, I don’t care for the perfumes often added to softeners.

The oiling can also make your clothes less absorbent. This may be good for an outer garment to repel rain and spills, but inner garments are supposed to wick away moisture. Also, this makes towels less efficient.

Also, I’m alway opting for less chemicals in daily life.

## Peace.

Alternatively, you just may want to avoid cheap (and synthetic) fabrics and buy clothing and towels that feel good and soft from the start (at least 200 thread count, i.e. percale or better).