A laundry specialist has shared unexpected guidance for those doing their washing. Victoria Purcell, an expert working with consumer organisation Which?, has urged UK households to abandon one product that could harm your garments, while others suggest it might also cause damage to your washing machine.
Why Fabric Softener Should Be Avoided
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the consumer specialist stated: "Should you use fabric softener when you wash your clothes? It might surprise you to hear the answer is no. It can work for a short period of time on new clothes, but over time it can damage the fibres on your clothes, leaving them feeling stiff and crispy rather than soft. It can cause skin irritation, too."
Instead, Purcell recommends soaking clothes in a mixture of white vinegar and water before rinsing and placing them in the drum. She advises keeping fabric softener away from towels, as it can reduce their absorbency. The best way to soften towels is with a quick spin in the tumble dryer or drying them outdoors on a warm, breezy day.
Expert and Community Warnings
The expert is not alone in recommending against fabric softener. The widely-followed cleaning forum r/CleaningTips on Reddit warns: "Fabric softener ruins machines with tons of build-up over time, it can create huge mould and mildew problems in front loaders, and almost all the fabric softeners on the market are made with some type of synthetic wax/fat or animal fat. And... it's not even good or beneficial to any type of fabric!"
The NHS also cautions that individuals with eczema should steer clear of using it. The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust website advises: "People with eczema should take special care with the items that come into direct contact with their skin. Fragrances (perfumes) and detergents can cause skin reactions. Air fresheners, candles, wax melts and diffusers are also irritants and use should be avoided. To help keep this under control you could: Use non-bio washing powder when washing clothes. Use your washing machine's second or 'extra rinse' setting if it has one. Do not use fabric conditioner."
Public Opinion on Fabric Softener
Which? canvassed over 1,000 members for their opinions on fabric softeners. Roughly half revealed they incorporated it into some, most or all of their washing loads. Approximately one in five indicated they included it in every single wash. Around half stated they employed it to achieve softer clothes, while about a fifth cited the fragrance as the primary advantage.
The principal worries of readers who avoid fabric softener relate to the detrimental environmental impact and the potential risk of fabric damage. One reader remarked: "It really doesn't make a difference to my laundry." Multiple respondents also noted towels dry less efficiently and create greater build-up in washing machines.
Not everybody agreed with the Which? expert's guidance. One X user named Syrius responded: "Laundry expert? Dry outside on a warm breezy day can result in towels that resemble starched tablecloths. If dried outside, best to get them in when slightly damp and then 10 mins in the tumble dryer for best results, soft water also helps."
Four Reasons to Avoid Fabric Softener
Which?'s website outlines four primary reasons to avoid fabric softener. The first relates to skin irritation, with the consumer group cautioning that the majority of softeners contain some form of fragrance or scent. These can trigger reactions in those with sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema. Fragrance-free alternatives exist, though the selection remains limited.
The website also raised concerns regarding the potential for heightened flammability. The watchdog stated: "The fat-based nature of fabric softeners may make clothes more flammable, and they shouldn't be used on any clothes labelled as flame-resistant. This includes curtains and upholstery, baby clothes and lots of children's items – always check the label."
Two additional concerns were highlighted: stiff clothing and diminished cleaning efficacy. Which? explains that the waxy residue left on garments by fabric softener builds up with each wash, leaving them feeling stiff rather than soft. These accumulated layers also hinder detergent from penetrating fabric fibres during a wash cycle, ultimately rendering it less capable of eliminating dirt and stains.
