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Everything You Need to Know About Laundry Softener

Laundry is personal. Some people love laundry softener. Others, not so much. Here are some staff recommendations that you can’t find at the grocery store.

Discussing fabric softeners is always a polarizing conversation!

Some people love the extra scent while others can’t stand the added perfumes. Some people prefer liquid fabric softeners while others opt instead for dryer sheets. All options have their pros and cons.

It’s a personal decision. You have a lot of options. But, be sure to stay away from the mainstream brands found in grocery stores. You can do better! There are some great new options we’ve found online.

Here are our staff picks.

Everything You Need to Know About Laundry Softener

Our Favorite Liquid Laundry Softeners

Take a look at our ‘Staff Picks’ collection our favorite liquid laundry softeners.

  1. The Laundress New York, Fabric Conditioner
  2. Botanical Origin Plant-based Fabric Softener
  3. Mrs. Meyers Liquid Fabric Softener
  4. ATTITUDE Liquid Fabric Softener
Best Laundry Softeners on Amazon | Best Liquid Fabric Softener | The Folde Laundry Service

Staff Picks: Our Favorite Laundry Softeners

The Laundress New York, Fabric Conditioner

The first laundry softener that we recommend is a high-quality product from a well-known name in cleaning. It is a high-quality concentrated fabric softener that makes clothes very soft, taking care of their fibers, achieving an unbeatable result to the touch. In addition, the Laundress New York Fabric Conditioner laundry softener has been dermatologically tested on its founders, Gwen and Lindsey. You can read more about their story here.

It is an exciting option because its fragrance is light, and it does not include any dye in its composition – while most laundry softeners include added scents and perfumes. Thanks to this softener, you can achieve natural hypoallergenic softening. In addition, it also performs a much more efficient drying, and with this product, you can do up to seventy washes.

The Laundress Fabric Softener | Laundry Softener Recommendations | The Folde Laundry Service
Laundry Softener We Recommend

The Laundress

Staff Picks: It’s not laundry softener – it’s fabric conditioner. That’s how you know it’s fancy. Just an ounce of fabric conditioner per load leaves my clothes much softer than supermarket brands. The feel is also better. However, I do find that all The Laundress products have a strong scent which I would describe as anything but fresh and natural – artificial really. But, still smells quite good!

Staff Picks: Our Favorite Laundry Softeners

Botanical Origin Plant Based Fabric Softener

This lesser-known option is a plant-based laundry softener that will last much longer than other laundry softeners. Its longevity is due to its unique composition – which makes it up to ten times more durable. Botanical Origin offers two scents: Fresh Jasmine & Wildflower and Orange Blossom & Citrus.

While this isn’t for you if you are looking for a scent-free option. It is perfect for you if you are looking for a laundry softener that adds a fresh scent to compliment your laundry detergent. The high-quality professional composition does not use dyes because dyes certainly don’t clean or freshen. In fact, some dyes are not easily degradable in water.

It works with standard washers, high-efficacy washers, and even with hand washing.

Best Laundry Softeners | Botanical Origin | Laundry Service Recommendations from The Folde
Laundry Softener We Recommend

Botanical Origin

Staff Pick: I have permanently switched from the chemical loaded well-known brand. The fresh scent is wonderful and not overpowering at all. I like that it’s a fresh citrus and not a heavy floral. My laundry feels wonderfully soft. This complements my plant-based detergent perfectly.

Staff Picks: Our Favorite Laundry Softeners

Mrs. Meyers Liquid Fabric Softener

Mrs. Meyers offers a liquid laundry softener that will provide maximum freshness and a garden-fresh aroma while reducing static from your clothes.

Taking care of your clothes and protecting their fibers has never been simple. But since the laundry softener is made without parabens, phthalates, or animal-derived ingredients, it makes it easier to trust than the more mainstream brands.

In addition, thanks to this softener, it will be much easier to iron the clothes because the fabrics will be much softer and fluffier. With this softener, you will get up to 32 load washes.

Mrs Meyers Laundry Softener | The Folde Recommendations | Laundry Service Reviews Laundry Softener
Laundry Softener We Recommend

Mrs. Meyers

Staff Pick: My dermatologist told me that any dryer sheets, even the unscented ones, release particles that can trigger allergies. In addition to allergies, I have eczema that is sensitive to some additives in household cleaners and cosmetics. They suggested using only unscented liquid fabric softener. I love the scent, and I haven’t had any adverse reactions to it.

Staff Picks: Our Favorite Laundry Softeners

ATTITUDE Liquid Fabric Softener

This laundry softener with an advanced deodorizing capacity makes your garments more comfortable, soft, and fresh. This plant-based fabric softener does so without causing any harm to your skin or the environment.

It has a wildflower smell and is a liquid laundry softener that has been dermatologically tested. Since it is hypoallergenic, ATTITUDE Liquid Fabric Softener does not include dyes, artificial fragrances, or other skin irritants. This product can be used in the cold water cycle of both HE (High-Efficiency) and ordinary washers.

Attitude Laundry Softener | The Folde | Laundry Softener Reviews
Laundry Softener We Recommend

ATTITUDE

Staff Pick: It’s quite strong when you sniff the bottle, but it’s not overpowering on your clothes. I like that it’s a better option than regular fabric softeners. I would definitely recommend this to friends.

Everything You Need to Know About Dryer Sheets

Our Favorite Dryer Sheets

Take a look at our ‘Staff Picks’ collection of our favorite dryer sheets.

  1. Stoneworks Dryer Sheets
  2. Frey Dryer Sheets
  3. Biokleen Dryer Sheets
Stoneworks Dryer Sheets | Dryer Sheet Reviews | The Folde Laundry Service

Dryer Sheets We Recommend

In general, we recommend laundry softener over dryer sheets. But, if you’re shopping for dryer sheets, here are our favorites.

Stoneworks

Dryer Sheet Reviews

Staff Pick: I picked them on a recommendation from my friend who is a buyer in the natural products industry. I was looking for something for both anti-static and light scents.

Frey

Dryer Sheet Reviews

Staff Pick: These smell exactly as advertised. I’m a female, who really likes earthy smells rather than floral, and these are perfect. They are very strong, which is perfect for my bedding.

Biokleen

Dryer Sheet Reviews

Staff Pick: They smell nice and leave the laundry smelling nice and less static. I also really like that they are perforated down the middle, so you can use a half sheet for smaller loads.

Everything You Need to Know About Laundry Softener

What does laundry softener do?

Laundry Softeners for clothes or textiles are chemical or natural products used during the machine washing process of garments. Generally, they are presented in liquid form, and their application is more precise. However, there are also powders and crystals. They are made up of surface-active substances that adhere to the fabric’s fibers to give them a series of different qualities, such as good smell, sponginess, and, above all, good smell.

These are the properties that a textile softener provides to garments during washing:

  • Lasting fragrance even after clothes have dried.
  • Protects from bad odors
  • Reduces static electricity on some fabrics such as wool or knitwear
  • A sensation of softness on the skin and to the touch
  • Facilitates subsequent ironing of garments
  • Provides sponginess to the tissues
  • Promotes rapid drying
  • Maintains the color, shine, and original softness of the clothes for a more extended period
  • Reduces the risk of wrinkles
  • Gives volume

The softener is the product that gives freshness, sponginess, and a good smell to the clothes during washing. It is also responsible for the fact that the garments do not have wrinkles when they come out of the washing machine and that it is easier and faster to iron after hanging and collecting the laundry. In addition, many are hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and dermatologically tested so as not to irritate.

They even remove static electricity from many fabrics and textile fibers. In short, it is an essential element if we want our t-shirts, shirts, and jackets to have a pleasant fragrance. This flower concentrate offers all this and much more. We have chosen it as the best fabric softener in this comparison based on users’ opinions on Amazon. It facilitates ironing, leaves a very intense fragrance, and is sold in a savings pack of 10 units with a capacity for up to 530 washed.

Laundry Softener or Dryer Sheets?

Laundry Softener vs. Dryer Sheets

Both fabric softeners and dryer sheets help eliminate static and wrinkles while making clothes feel softer and smell better. However, they work in different ways.

Liquid fabric softener is added to the wash cycle and permeates into fabric fibers. In addition to other benefits, liquid fabric softeners may also keep clothes from stretching, fading and accumulating fuzz.

However, liquid fabric softeners may stain clothes because they are made from oil. They also can build up in a washing machine’s dispenser, requiring frequent cleaning. If you are not using a dispenser or a softener ball, make sure to add liquid softener during the final rinse when the tub is full of water to avoid staining.

Dryer sheets reduce static and increase the cottony feel of fabrics. Dryer sheets are coated with stearic acid, which melts in the dryer and coats clothes to provide these benefits. In some cases, staining also has been reported, so do not overfill your dryer, and place the dryer sheet on top of the clothes after loading the dryer. In general, we recommend laundry softener over dryer sheets. But, if you’re shopping for dryer sheets, here are our favorites.

Everything You Need to Know About Laundry Softener

When should laundry softener be used and why?

In particular, you should apply a fabric softener during the last rinse of the clothes. The reason is that if poured into the drum first, the water can gradually neutralize its effect. However, this does not mean that you have to be careful to put it in the box at the exact moment. You can do it at the beginning of the laundry in its specific compartment, and the machine will take care of dispensing it at the right time.

In addition, although they are usually sold separately, you have the possibility of purchasing a softening detergent and thus save space in your kitchen or laundry room.

Everything You Need to Know About Laundry Softener

What types of softeners are there?

  1. Ecological softener: it does not contain harmful chemicals to the environment. It can be homemade or industrial, but its impact in terms of pollution must always be zero.
  2. Concentrated softener: It has less water in the mixture and a higher concentration of surface-active substances. This means that you can get the same results using less quantity in each wash.
  3. Hypoallergenic fabric softener: This is the type of fabric softener recommended for allergy sufferers. They do not irritate the skin when wearing garments treated with it.
  4. Biodegradable softener: They have chemical substances in their composition, unlike the ecological ones. However, these degrade quickly in nature without generating a negative impact. It also usually comes in recyclable containers.
  5. Softener for professional use: It is used in dry cleaners and laundry.
  6. Delicate softener for specific garments: Here, we could include, for example, baby softeners, bed linen softeners, wool softeners, etc.

Everything You Need to Know About Laundry Softener

How does laundry softener work?

When washing clothes and introducing laundry softener, it adds a thin layer of chemicals because they are designed to “grease” clothes, making them softer. Softeners cover it with a light, lubricating film to do this. This coating prevents static electricity by making garments slippery to reduce friction.

The laundry softener adds a positive charge to neutralize the negative static charge. Once washed, clothes are less likely to wrinkle or lint, thanks to the anti-static nature of the fabric softener. In addition, it adds a perfume plus that makes it very pleasant.

Everything You Need to Know About Laundry Softener

Tips for choosing the best laundry softeners

If you are looking for high-quality laundry softeners that will provide you with the best results while respecting the skin of all your family members, even the smallest ones tend to be more sensitive to cleaning products. Here are the points to consider finding the perfect fabric softener.

First of all, you should assess the perfume or the smell of the softener you choose. We do not recommend selecting laundry softeners that have potent odors because, in the end, we will end up boring them. Also, it would be best if you chose very artificial softeners that cannot damage the skin with their perfumes or fragrances.

Secondly, you must assess the concentration that the softener you will choose has. Concentrated laundry softeners have the same effect as average fabric softeners but take up much less space, undoubtedly the best option. Many people believe that as fewer products is applied, the result will be smaller, but this is false because concentrated laundry softeners certainly have the same effect as regular laundry softeners.

It would be best if you were also worried about always choosing the correct dose. The laundry softener containers usually tell you how much you should apply in each wash and how many washes you will be able to do with that laundry softener. So before choosing one or another product, check this point to be able to select the laundry softener to wash the clothes that suit you the most. When using any laundry softener, try to follow the manufacturers’ advice. In some cases, it will seem to you that adding more laundry softener will make your clothes look better, but this is false. The only thing you will do is waste the product.

Also, you should always select laundry softeners that include the hypoallergenic seal because they are quality laundry softeners that can be used even with people who have the most sensitive skin, such as babies. If the product indicates “dermatologically tested,” better than better because it will have many more quality guarantees.

You can also consider some extras when selecting the perfect laundry softener. For example, there are currently some softeners that incorporate different active components in their composition that will help to drastically reduce the electricity in the clothes, making it much easier to iron them.

Finally, we recommend that you consider that the container is reasonably practical when selecting the perfect laundry softener. Although it is not the most important thing, without a doubt, an excellent and suitable quality container with an ergonomic design will make the application and use of the product much more practical without wasting any softener when we are going to use it.

Give Your Clothes a Softer Feel

You already have all the information you need to buy the best fabric softener for your clothes. Using this fabric softener will make your clothes softer and give you a greater sense of well-being when you put them on every day. Its soft and silky effect will make you feel clean and comfortable. In addition, that unique aroma and sensation of freshness deposited in your clothes are released, and you will always notice it close by. In this way, the fragrance is another of the most notable advantages, along with the softness.

Delivery Laundry Service | The Folde | Tips for Using Laundry Softener

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