Best Fabric Softeners for Fresh Clothes Every Wash
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Downy Simple Pleasures Liquid Fabric Softener -
Gain Ultra Concentrated Liquid Fabric Softener -
Downy Ultra Concentrated April Fresh Scent Fabric Softener -
Gain 2x Ultra Joyful Expressions Apple Mango Tango Fabric Softener -
Seventh Generation Fabric Softener -
Buyer's Guide
For most of us, laundry is a chore we dread. But, one way to make the job a bit more enjoyable is the right supplies. For your convenience, you'll find our recommendations for the best fabric softeners in 2022 below. We've selected a few new products, with scents you may have never heard of, and included a few of our old favorites as well. Each one of these fabric softeners will leave your clothes smelling fresh and clean and feeling ultra-soft and comfortable. If you've never used a fabric softener before, you have likely never experienced clothes that feel so soft before! Simply pour it in during your washing machine's rinse cycle to get the softest, freshest smelling clothes you've ever worn.
Detailing the Best Fabric Softeners of 2022
Downy Simple Pleasures Liquid Fabric Softener - Best Fabric Softener Overall
If you're tired of the same smelling fabric softener, try something completely different with Downy Simple Pleasures Fabric Softener. Available in five luxurious scents, you'll love the way your clothes smell and how soft they feel when you use this fabric softener. With scents like Lavender Serenity, Almond Cream Bliss, Orchid Allure, Water Lily Radiance, and Spice Blossom Dare, you're bound to find a fragrance that suits you. Try something exotic and musky with Orchid Allure, or enjoy the clean refreshing scent of Water Lily Radiance. Each Downy Simple Pleasures Fabric Softener scent is unique and different than anything you've ever experienced before. Not only do they smell heavenly, but they leave your clothes feeling soft and fresh with just a small cap full.
Gain Ultra Concentrated Liquid Fabric Softener - Runner Up
This is a fairly new product that just hit the market. Consumers that enjoy the fresh, clean scent of Gain laundry detergent, can now get that same fragrance for their liquid fabric softener. That's TWICE the clean scent as before! Best of all, it softens laundry without having to use a lot of product. The jug has a built-it measure cup, with indicator lines that tell you how much fabric softener to use for the size of load you're washing. By adding just a bit to each wash, your laundry comes out smelling and feeling great. Clothes, blankets, sheets, and towels will smell cleaner and feel softer than ever before with NEW Ultra Gain Fabric Softener in Original Fresh scent.
Downy Ultra Concentrated April Fresh Scent Fabric Softener - Honorable Mention
Downy Ultra is one of the best selling fabric softeners on the market. Consumers enjoy the fresh scent of Downy April Fresh, which has been a favorite for many years. When you add a cap full of Downy to your rinse cycle, you're are, quite literally, adding a cap full of softness to your wash. This container has a built-in measure cup right inside the lid, which features an indicator line so you add just the right amount of fabric softener to each load. Clothes come out feeling ultra-soft, even if you have hard water in your home. To use, just wait for your washing machine's rinse cycle to begin and pour in the product. Then, allow the cycle to continue.
Gain 2x Ultra Joyful Expressions Apple Mango Tango Fabric Softener - Consider
Gain Joyful Expressions Apple Mango Tango Fabric Softener has one of the most unique scents around. Lightly scented with the fragrance of fruity mango and tart apples, clothes come out smelling absolutely wonderful! Use with Gain Apple Mango Tango laundry detergent and your laundry will smell fresh and fruity all day long. The scent is pleasant, without overpowering, and the fabric softener leaves clothes feeling super soft and comfy. The formula is compatible with all washing machine types, including HE. To use, simply pour into the measure cup (built into the cap) and add to your rinse cycle.
Seventh Generation Fabric Softener - Best Fabric Softener
Seventh Generation Natural Fabric Softener is an eco-friendly choice as it doesn't contain the same harsh chemicals that many other fabric softeners do. The formula is unique in that it is canola-based, and free of harmful dyes. This is a non-toxic, biodegradable, and hypo-allergenic liquid fabric softener that does not contain any animal ingredients and has not been tested on animals. Those with sensitive skin or skin allergies, may benefit from using Seventh Generation Natural Fabric Softener, as it will leave clothes feeling static free and soft, and smelling fresh. It also won't irritate most skin types.
Buyer's Guide
With so many types and brands available in the market, choosing the best fabric softener for your clothes can be a tedious task. Well, don’t worry! We are going to solve all your confusion in this comprehensive buying guide. From buying considerations to key factors to look for, we will cover everything.
Buying Considerations for the Best Fabric Softener
There are a lot of factors you need to consider before buying the fabric softener for your beloved clothes. However, all these considerations depend on your needs, requirements, and personal preferences. Want to know about those factors? Here you go:
Formula & Type
Above, we have mentioned our favorite liquid fabric softeners, but there are other options too: dryer sheets, dryer balls, and dryer cloths. You just need to consider and identify which type suits your needs the best. Still, liquid fabric softeners are the most common and versatile choice!
Organic or Chemical?
Almost 70% of fabric softeners have chemicals and other substances in their formulation that can be harmful to both the skin and the environment. However, there are some purely organic and eco-friendly fabric softeners as well. So, if you are someone who loves the environment or has sensitive skin, opt for an eco-friendly, organic, and best fabric softener.
Compatibility with HE Washers
If you have a High-efficiency (HE) washing machine, then most of the fabric softeners, especially the liquid ones will not be suitable for you. HE washers only work with specific and special formulas of fabric softeners. So, if you have a high-efficiency washing machine, make sure to purchase the best fabric softener that is HE compatible as well.
Types of Fabric Softener
There are different types of fabric softeners available in the market, each with its own unique uses and features. From liquid to solid, there is a huge variety. You just need to figure out which best fabric softener you need according to your requirements and personal preferences. Liquid fabric softeners are the most common type, and the main focus in our above list as well. Still, we are listing down all the types and their uses available to help you get a better understanding.
Liquid Fabric Softeners
Liquid fabric softeners are the most common and the most expensive one out of all the types. Moreover, they also work the best for softening your clothes and eliminating all the odors. You can also use liquid fabric softeners for other purposes as well, such as removing hard stains and eliminating the static shock in clothes.
Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets are a budget-friendly option in the group of fabric softeners, but they are effective too. They also allow the clothes to dry faster when you finish washing them while leaving a subtle and pleasant fragrance. Moreover, dryer sheets also stop the color spotting from one fabric to another.
Dryer Balls
Dryer balls are considered to be the most organic, natural, and eco-friendly out of them all. Also, they have a refined and aesthetic appearance as well. As dryer balls are completely organic with no harmful chemicals, they are the safest option for your skin. The best part is that they are very inexpensive and allow your clothes to dry quickly. However, keep in mind that they do not eliminate odors.
Dryer Cloths
Dryer cloths fabric softeners are specifically designed to reduce and eliminate the static energy from your clothes. Moreover, they efficiently soften your clothes and make them more comfortable to wear. Also, they are extremely easy to use; just throw a dryer cloth sheet into the washing machine while doing laundry and you are good to go!
Key Features to Consider
Now that we have gone through the basic considerations, here are a few key features you should try to find in the best fabric softener you are going to purchase:
Fragrance
Fabric softeners come with all sorts of scents, but not each of them is nice. So, always make sure that the fabric softener you are going to buy has a subtle yet pleasant fragrance that you will love!
Static Reduction
Not every fabric softener comes with the feature of static reduction, so make sure to have a close eye on product formulas if you want your clothes static-free.
Color-Safe
Some fabric softeners can leave a trail of spots and stains on your clothes, especially the cheap and low-quality ones. So, always make sure to opt for a high-quality product with color-safe formulation to keep your precious clothes in a top-notch quality!
Conclusion
Now that you have gone through every detail, we hope you understand how important it is to use a fabric softener for your clothes. Practically all fabric softeners have an economical price and won’t disturb your budget. Just make sure to keep all our tips, recommendations, and considerations in mind, and we believe you will find the perfect fabric softener for your laundry needs.
Fabric Softener FAQs
Q: What is a fabric softener?
A. Fabric softeners are cloth cleaning products that provide you with a lot of amazing benefits. They soften your clothes, make them comfortable to wear, and leave a hint of fragrance in them while eliminating all the odors. Moreover, they excellently prevent your clothes from discoloring.
Q: Why should you use the best fabric softener?
A. The main and sole purpose of using a fabric softener is to make your clothes soft and comfortable to wear. Washing your clothes can make them super dry, and here is when a fabric softener comes to the rescue: it not only softens your clothes but removes static electricity and odors as well.
Q: Can Fabric Softeners damage your washing machine?
A. The answer is yes and no. The ingredients and substances in fabric softeners do get stuck in your washing machine, dryer, and water hoses, but if you opt for a proper care routine and clean your washing machine, fabric softeners will cause no damage. If you have a high-efficiency washing machine, be careful of non-HE fabric softeners.
