While many people use the cleaning product on a weekly basis, the Which? expert chooses to avoid it
A Which? expert has revealed that a common cleaning product used in most homes is ‘not allowed’ in her house. Rebecca Jakeman, a Which? senior researcher and writer, explained she never uses fabric softener in a blog post for the consumer champion.
“I’m a laundry expert, and it’s not allowed in my house,” Rebecca shared. “Many people rely on fabric softener for that fresh, clean scent and comforting touch. It can also help to reduce static, plus manufacturers claim it can help protect clothes from the stress of a wash cycle, and help prevent colour fade.
“But the reality is that its key perceived benefit – making clothes softer – is often short-lived and can come with hidden drawbacks.” Rebecca went on to explain that the ingredients used in fabric softeners can damage fabrics and cause skin irritation.
The cleaning product can also cause a waxy coating to build up on your clothes, making it harder for detergent to remove dirt and making the fabric more flammable, according to the expert.
She added that towels and sportswear items are often the worst affected, as fabric softener can make towels less effective at absorbing water and prevent the wicking ability of your gym clothes.
Breaking down the science behind the problem, Jus Rai, a Which? senior scientific advisor, explained: “Fabric softeners contain emulsifiers, which coat the fabric in a thin layer that repels water and works as a lubricant, making fabric feel soft.
“They also contain cationic surfactants – positively charged substances that cancel out the static charge that washing can create. Regular use can create a build-up of these substances, which can have a negative impact on some fabrics, such as reduced breathability of athletic wear or degradation of fibres in delicate materials such as wool.”
As such, using fabric softeners can shorten the lifespan of your clothing and towels, costing you more money in the long run.
When Which? shared an Instagram post discussing the drawbacks of using fabric softener, there were comments from social media users who have ditched the product and never looked back. In a video shared on the platform, a Which? team member said: “Stop using fabric softener. You’re wasting your money.”
Instead, he recommended keeping towels soft by adding them to the tumble dryer to spin for ten minutes before hanging them up outside, or soaking the towels in water and white vinegar before rinsing and then washing them as usual, noting that over time vinegar can cause damage to washing machines.
Commenting under the video, someone who gave up fabric softener shared: “We’ve ditched it completely and now only use white vinegar and a few drops of tea tree essential oil (in the softener department).”
