What Does Fabric Softener Do? Plus, When to Use It

Learn how fabric softener actually works, and when you should—and shouldn’t—use it.

Fabric softener, also called fabric conditioner, is a laundry product containing lubricating ingredients designed to make clothes feel softer, reduce static cling, and add a fresh scent. When added to a laundry load, it deposits chemical ingredients into fabric fibers. Some fabric softeners also help fight wrinkles and combat piling, fading, and stretching.

Before you start your next load of laundry, learn what exactly fabric softener does, how it works, and when to use it.

Kinds of Fabric Softener

Fabric softener is available in various forms, including scented, unscented, liquid, powder, and dryer sheets. Each type has its application method, but all aim to achieve similar softness and static reduction results.

Add liquid or powder fabric softeners to the washing machine’s rinse cycle by pouring it into the machine’s dispenser. If your machine doesn’t have one, you can buy a separate ball-shaped enhancer that goes into the drum of the washer with your clothes. This method disperses the fabric softener evenly in water, coating fabrics thoroughly.

Dryer sheets, mostly made from a non-woven synthetic fiber, are coated with fabric softening agents, such as a fatty acids, quaternary ammonium salt, or silicone oil-based softener solutions. When added to the dryer, the heat activates the softening chemicals, which then transfer to the clothes, making them soft while reducing static.

What Is Fabric Softener Made Of?

Fabric softeners contain various ingredients that play specific roles in improving the feel and performance of fabrics. Some formulas are proprietary—meaning the quantity and type of ingredients will depend on the brand. Some common ingredients include cationic surfactants, which are positively charged molecules that attach to negatively charged fabric fibers. This attachment reduces static cling and makes fabric feel softer. Silicones also add a silky feel to the fabrics, further enhancing their softness.

Emulsifiers are important ingredients that help blend the softening agents with water. The three main types of emulsifiers are micro-emulsions, macro-emulsions, and emulsion polymers. Micro-emulsions create very fine mixtures, resulting in a smooth blend. Macro-emulsions are creamy oil and water mixtures, similar to hand lotions or hair conditioners. Emulsifier molecules surround the oil or silicone droplets, allowing them to mix well with water. Emulsion polymers are larger molecules that help keep the mixture stable. These emulsifiers ensure the fabric softener works effectively by combining all ingredients evenly.

Many fabric softeners also contain fragrances that make clothes smell fresh and clean. Unscented options are ideal for people with allergies. Finally, preservatives and dyes enhance the product’s shelf life and appearance, ensuring it remains effective and visually appealing over time.

Related: 7 Common Laundry Mistakes That Can Damage Clothes

How Does Fabric Softener Work?

Fabric softeners coat clothing fibers with a layer of electrically charged chemical compounds. This coating makes the fibers on clothes to fluff up, making fabric feel softer to the touch and gentler on the skin. The coating also neutralizes the electric charges that can cause your clothes to shock or cling. However, fabric softeners can reduce the performance of some specialty items, such as flame resistant children’s sleepwear and fit-dry workout gear. Before using fabric softener, always check the care label.

Add liquid or powder fabric softener to the fabric softener dispenser in your washer before selecting the laundry cycle, load size, and water temperature. Or, add one or two dryer sheets—depending on the load size—to wet laundry before running the drying cycle.

Benefits of Using Fabric Softener

The primary benefit of fabric softener is its ability to make clothes feel softer against the skin. It also reduces static cling, so clothes are less likely to stick together or to your skin. Additionally, softer fabrics often wrinkle less and are easier to iron. Not to mention, some of the fragranced softeners leave towels, sheets, and clothing smelling like they were professionally laundered.

Reasons Not to Use Fabric Softener

Repeated use of fabric softeners can leave a residue that builds up on fabrics, reducing their absorbency and breathability. Avoid using fabric softeners on towels, workout clothes, athleisure apparel, or other garments known for wicking moisture. Another downside of softeners is that their chemicals and fragrances can irritate sensitive skin or exacerbate allergic reactions.

Fabric softener can also affect your washing machine. Build up can combine with laundry detergent soap scum to leave a film on the agitator drum. This means your washing machine will need a periodic scrubbing if you use the liquid and powder types frequently. Some of the most common chemicals in fabric softeners can also damage the environment, especially ocean and aquatic ecosystems.

Related: Can Using Fabric Softener Hurt Your Washing Machine?

What Materials Can You Use Fabric Softener On?

Fabric softeners work well for many natural fiber items like cotton bed sheets and clothing, but not all fabrics respond favorably. The lubricants in fabric softeners can leave behind a film that impacts the safety and effectiveness of certain materials, such as flame-resistant clothing, microfiber towels, and athletic wear. When treated with fabric softeners, these items may lose their flame resistance, absorbency, or moisture-wicking properties.

Alternatives to Fabric Softener

Several options are available for those seeking natural or less chemically-intensive alternatives. For starters, dryer balls are an eco-friendly alternative, typically made from natural fibers like wool or synthetic materials like rubber or plastic. While they don’t contain chemicals that soften clothes, they bounce around in the dryer, helping to fluff and soften fabrics. They also reduce static by equalizing electrons, prevent clumping and wrinkling, and even reduce drying time.

Instead of store bought options, you could also DIY your own fabric softener. Add half a cup of white vinegar or half a cup of baking soda to the wash cycle. Both help soften fabrics. For fragrance, add a few drops of essential oils, like lavender or eucalyptus, to two dryer balls and toss them in the dryer with your wet laundry. These natural alternatives often work just as well as conventional softeners, and there’s no plastic bottle to throw away.

Related: The 6 Best Dryer Balls of 2024 Cut Down On Drying Time and Eliminate Static

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