Pros and Cons of Fabric Softener – Do You Really Need It?
That super smooth feeling and nice scent you get when the laundry pile has fabric softener is a feeling unlike any other. This product is something most laundry rooms will have. Yet it is also the thing that brings about much debate amongst people and feedback from experts in laundry services in Dubai Marina and all over the country. What is it about it that leads to never-ending discussion about the pros and cons of fabric softener?
What’s Your Fabric Softener’s Role in Washing?
The simplest way to know how chemical ingredients in fabric softener work is to imagine conditioner on your hair. Your fabrics get a thin layer of product after you rinse your clothes.
The chemicals in it reduce the friction between fibers and lead to that well-known clothing softness. That soft feel does come at a price when there is residue buildup in fabrics and the fibers get harsher as time goes on. People also tend to overdo the softener in search of the incredible texture and smell.
How Different Fabrics React to Softener Use
Whether or not you should use fabric softener does not have one definite answer. One reason for this is that not every fabric reacts the same way to softeners.
Cotton fibers have this natural waxy coating that wears off a little in every wash. That is why a mild softener on cotton can create a layer that smoothens the fabric and makes it flexible.
Wool fibers will not react the same when exposed to softener because they have a scaly finish. The product may make the fabrics rougher than they were before and it will cause itching.
Polyester and even blends where cotton and linen content are higher do not really mix well with softener. It’s because synthetic fibers do not absorb stuff the same way natural fibers do.
Know These Pros and Cons of Fabric Softener Before the Next Wash Cycle
All a softener does is make the clothes soft and smell amazing, and what can be bad about it, right? We’ve established that there’s a chemical layer that serves as a fabric conditioner when you use it. And like with any chemical use there have to be side effects. So let’s look at both the upsides and downsides of the product to make a fair decision about using it.
The Pros of Fabric Softener
It takes as little as one-eighth of a cup of a product, and you can make a small load of clothes softer and smell amazing (if you go for the fragranced type).
Nicer Texture
Clothes, bedding, towels, and more. You get this new-like feeling in some of your items when you go for a softener. It will remind you of using high-quality fabric for the first time.
Static Reduction
Static charges building up on your clothes and household stuff is pretty normal, especially when it gets cold and dry outside. But what if you can cut that static charge buildup? That is what a softener does by absorbing that and keeping you safe from those mini shocks.
Pleasing Scent
A softener that has a little bit of perfumed product, and you can sense it long after the wash and dry cycle is over. This is more of a preference thing, but scent enhancement can be truly transformative when you want to remove musty odor from towels. This comes in handy after keeping them locked up for a long time or leaving them damp by mistake and accumulating smells.
Fewer Wrinkles
Better smoothness and less friction mean that your clothes may come out of the dryer with fewer wrinkles for you to deal with!
Fabric Durability
Say you are using a softener on a forgiving fabric like cotton that gets a protective layer and faces less friction. This means less wear and tear and better chances of lasting longer!
The Cons of Fabric Softener
The question for people who want to look beyond just a soft feel and good smell will always be: is fabric softener bad for clothes? Fabric softener is optional and it does have some fallout that you should consider when making an informed choice!
Harsher Texture with Time
At first your clothes and towels feel soft and amazing. As time goes on and you layer on chemicals, these become kind of stiff. You will enjoy the smooth texture after the first couple or so washes. Then it is scratch-city from there on out.
Fabric Incompatibility
You want your clothes to feel softer and smell fresh at home, but you cannot get that result with a softener on every fabric. Many dry cleaners around Dubai avoid using it on delicate or high-end garments as buildup can ruin texture and make the whole thing less breathable.
Towels Stop Absorbing
Your towel and microfiber kind for cleaning will face fiber damage when you pile on layers of softener. That takes away their quality of absorption and makes them tricky to use.
Environmental Effects
Your usual store-bought fabric softener will have non-biodegradable chemicals that come with a severe side effect of poor environmental impact when they go down the drain.
Skin and Eye Allergies
Yes, it is not very common but the chemical layer from a fabric softener or the scent from a heavily perfumed kind will trigger allergic reactions in some people.
Balancing Pros and Cons of Fabric Softener with Correct Use
Does fabric softener work? Yes. Does it have side effects? Also yes. It is safe to say that fabric softener is one of those things where too much of a thing is bad. So if you decide you want it to be a part of your laundry routine, there are a few ways you can be a responsible consumer.
Stepping away from a fabric softener when you have things like towels and sportswear in the cycle is also how you stay careful. You can always go for a bit of white vinegar or eco-friendly options if it’s really necessary to soften the fabrics a bit.
Bottom Line
The balance of pros and cons of fabric softener is all about not overdoing the use of the product when you do your laundry. There are times when you have clothes and other stuff that feel too stiff and you can turn to expert help rather than dumping endless conditioner!
Maham Laundry can help you with any clothes and bedding and towels that need a refresh without harsh chemicals. Book a laundry pickup today and rest easy knowing we give you back new-like fabrics back without residue layers and with softness intact!
