After one month without fabric conditioner, the experiment revealed that towels absorbed water more effectively, sportswear stayed fresher, and the washing machine remained clean, with very few downsides.
The experiment
For many households, fabric conditioner is a staple of the laundry routine, promising softer clothes and a fresh fragrance that lasts for days. It's often added without much thought, simply because it's what I've always done. However, in recent years, I've questioned whether fabric softener is necessary or just an extra expense. Some experts even suggest that it can reduce towel absorbency, shorten the lifespan of certain fabrics, and leave residue in the washing machine. Curious to find out whether it made a difference, I ditched using it for one month to see how it would affect my laundry.
Initial observations
It felt strange not pouring fabric softener into the compartment on the first few loads, and the difference in smell was noticeable, but it didn't seem to have any impact on the laundry. T-shirts and leggings were perfectly normal after drying, and bedding actually felt a little softer once it had dried.
Towel and sportswear improvements
The biggest surprises came when using my bath towels. After four washes without fabric conditioner, they actually seemed to absorb water more effectively. They weren't quite as fluffy straight from the cupboard, but they dried the skin much faster. Workout clothes also benefited from the experiment, and they actually seemed to stay fresher even after being used.
Scent and savings
Initially, I thought I'd miss the long-lasting scent left by fabric conditioner. But I quickly became used to laundry smelling clean rather than heavily scented. Although skipping the product only saves a small amount of money per wash, the savings add up over time. Families who do multiple loads each week could reduce their food shop bill by removing this product.
Expert advice and final verdict
The experts at Persil recommended using fabric conditioners every other wash for hand towels, bath towels, microfibre clothes, and tea towels. They added that fabric conditioners can also help those with sensitive skin as they reduce the risk of scratchy, rough materials. After one month, I found there were very few downsides to washing without fabric conditioner. While some clothes felt slightly less soft, towels and sportswear worked better for me. My washing machine also stayed nice and fresh, with no buildup in the drawer.
