Should you really be using fabric softener on your laundry? Commercials would have you believe that without it your clothes will be rough, smell unpleasant, become wrinkle-prone, and shockingly static. Some advertisements even include infants, subtly suggesting a possible impact on your little ones.
So, what exactly is this often pastel-hued liquid? It’s a blend of chemicals designed to form a film over each fibre of your clothing, thus making them feel softer, less static and stand more upright.
Wondering what it’s made from? According to Choice, an Australian consumer rights group, the primary components of a fabric softener are a conditioning agent, an emulsifier, and added fragrance and colour.
The ‘conditioning’ consists mainly of silicone or ammonia-based oily compounds that leave a soft, silky layer on your garments. While it might make your clothes feel softer, it can compromise their ability to absorb water, which isn’t ideal for items like towels.
In addition, fabric softener could potentially harm your activewear. The layer left by the softener on stretchable moisture-wicking materials can obstruct water and detergent from thoroughly cleaning the fabric, creating a bacterial breeding ground, as stated by detergent manufacturer Ariel.
Furthermore, Consumer Reports, a non-profit organisation, warns that softener could diminish the flame-resistant qualities of certain garments, like children’s sleepwear.
Although some clothing items bear a ‘no softener’ washing instruction, not everyone heed these labels.
The purpose of the emulsifier component is to aid the distribution of the oil-based conditioning agent onto your clothes, preventing it from floating on the water’s surface. This ingredient however could plug up your laundry detergent tray and enable the growth of mildew.
As for the fragrance component, its composition is undetermined, as legislation does not demand complete ingredient disclosure. Thus, even if your softener implies scents like ‘moonlight jasmine’, ‘satin cherries’ or ‘vacay vibes’, it’s largely unknown what chemical cocktail you’re essentially applying to your clothes and subseqently breathing in.
So, what’s the issue with this unknown fragrance?
The American Lung Association has expressed concerns regarding the adverse effects of some scented products, advocating for workplaces to employ fragrance-free entities. Fragrances, especially those found in scented cleaning commodities, have been linked to a variety of health issues such as headaches, upper respiratory indications, breathlessness and concentration difficulties. Certain odours, when encountered by individuals with asthma or allergies, can spark subsequent symptoms regardless of their intensity.
Besides the inherent features of softness, fabric softeners are laced with various chemicals to prolong their shelf life. At the end of every wash cycle, harmful materials like silicones and petrochemical substances are drained away, which may pose a substantial threat to aquatic life. Residues of these cleaning agents cling on to your laundered clothes, with a slight chance of these residues seeping into the wearer’s skin, based on a study by the Netherlands’s National Institute for Public Health and the Environment.
Annually, average European households conduct 365 laundry washes according to data from the Netherlands’ Institute. The cost-efficiency of fabric softeners varies greatly; household budget versions cost about 3 cents per wash, whereas high-end branded softeners may cost up to 15 cents a wash. Effectively, this contributes to a yearly expenditure of up to €56 solely on fabric softeners.
Consider the aftermath of plastic packaging waste and its subsequent disposal charges. The plastic film wrapping and the environmental burden that follows seem counterintuitive to the pristine,fragrant cleanliness promised.
Instead of using fabric softeners, one might consider alternatives such as white vinegar alone or in combination with baking soda. Not only does this clean your clothes, but it enhances the longevity of your washing machine too. Although its effectiveness on fabric softness is subjective, vinegar doesn’t compromise absorbency or irritate the skin, and leaves no residue behind. It seems more practical to prioritise absorbency over fluffiness when using towels, without introducing any extra chemicals.
Utilising vinegar won’t leave a scent of vinegar on your clothing, nor will there be any aroma akin to “morning silkwood” or any other fragrances coined by ChatGPT. This is likely advantageous.