Fabric Softeners
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Fabric Softeners
Fabric softeners help make your clothing, linens, towels and other items feel softer to the touch and smell fresher and cleaner. Today’s market is brimming with fabric softener options — sheets, liquids, pellets, bars and crystals — from brands such as Downy, Gain and Suavitel. A primer on what fabric softeners do and how to use them can make it easier to choose the right one for your needs from a sea of great options.
What Do Fabric Softeners Do?
Fabric softeners coat fabric surfaces, causing the threads on the surface to stand up, giving them a fluffier and softer feel. Fabric softeners also bind with the fabric to reduce the electrostatic charge, so clothing has less static cling. Certain fabric softeners may help reduce wrinkles and make fabrics easier to iron. Most fabric softeners also diffuse fragrance into clothing, so it smells great, even after being stored for short periods of time, although there are unscented fabric softeners for users who prefer no scent. The best fabric softener for you depends on your preference for use. Dryer sheets simply go in the dryer with your wet laundry, while liquid fabric softener is added during the rinse cycle.
Are Fabric Softeners Bad for You?
Fabric softeners are considered safe for use unless the user is allergic to any of the chemicals used in the manufacture of the product. Always check labels for ingredients that you or your loved ones are allergic to prior to purchase, and report any suspected negative reactions to products such as fabric softener to your doctor.
Are Fabric Softeners Safe?
Fabric softeners and dryer sheets are safe for most people. If you have concerns about the safety of your fabric softener, reach out to your medical professional.
Are Scent Boosters Fabric Softeners?
Scent boosters aren't the same thing as fabric softeners. Scent boosters typically come in crystal or bead format and are added to the laundry for the specific purpose of adding fragrance to your clothing, sheets, linens and other items. Depending on their quality, scent boosters can leave your laundry smelling clean and fresh for a long time. They dissolve easily, and if your laundry is already soft, you can use scent boosters in place of fabric softener to enjoy scented laundry without using additional softener.
Shop all your laundry needs — from fabric softener and scent boosters to laundry detergent and bleach — at CVS.com.
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