Fabric softeners can degrade garment performance
Concerns over skin irritation and safety
Fabric softeners, which are used to make clothes feel softer, reduce static electricity, and add fragrance after washing, have been warned to actually degrade the performance of clothing and even harm skin health.
The UK consumer group 'Which?' recently cautioned that excessive use of fabric softeners can diminish the functionality of garments and pose safety concerns.
Why Towels Get Stiffer the More You Wash Them...
According to Which? Chief Scientific Adviser Joost Leye, the softness perceived after using fabric softener is not due to a change in the fiber itself, but rather because a waxy coating temporarily reduces friction between the fabric and the skin.
If this coating layer accumulates through repeated washing, the fibers can gradually become rigid, causing the fabric to feel stiff or even crispy. In addition, as the fiber surface becomes coated, detergent has a harder time penetrating deep into the fibers, reducing the effectiveness of removing dirt and stains.
Reduces Absorption and Drying Performance... May Also Cause Skin Irritation
Experts point out that the most significant issue is that fabric softeners drastically reduce the absorbency and drying capabilities of textiles. The residue that makes clothes softer blocks the fibers, interfering with the process of water being absorbed or evaporating.
As a result, using fabric softener on towels can significantly decrease their absorbency, making them less effective at drying and less hygienic due to reduced cleaning efficiency. For the same reason, performance sportswear designed to quickly absorb and release sweat and moisture is also unsuited for use with fabric softeners. Washing waterproof materials like Gore-Tex or swimsuits made from Lycra with fabric softener can also degrade their original functionality.
Softening agents, fragrances, stabilizers, and preservatives contained in fabric softeners may cause skin irritation, and products with strong fragrances can worsen symptoms for people with sensitive skin or atopic dermatitis. Since fabric softeners are often based on fatty substances, they can also increase the flammability of clothing, which requires caution.
Which? recommends not using fabric softeners on flame-retardant products, specifying that curtains, upholstery fabrics, baby clothes, and many children's products fall into this category.
Alternatives: Vinegar and Baking Soda
Laundry experts at Which? suggest using white vinegar or baking soda as a pretreatment instead of fabric softener. They explain that soaking heavily soiled garments in a solution of white vinegar and water, or baking soda and water, before washing and then rinsing thoroughly with clean water can help reduce static and remove stains, while maintaining a more natural texture in the fabric.
However, they caution that mixing white vinegar and baking soda together will neutralize their effects, making them less effective. Experts emphasize that choosing the right washing method for the purpose and material of the garment is crucial for maintaining both skin health and the lifespan of clothing.
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