The Best Fabric Softener
By putting a little care into the maintenance of the garments you own, you can help them last longer and feel better every time you wear them. Fabric softeners are a great way to freshen your clothing and make them more smooth and supple after they dry. Available in both liquid and dry form, fabric softeners are typically perfectly safe, even for the majority of delicate garments. We're here to help you find the right one for your needs.
What To Look For
When choosing our favorite fabric softeners, we focused on scent, ease of use, and cost value. Those criteria helped us land on a few standout picks. For example, Snuggles’ liquid fabric softener has odor-eliminating technology that leaves clothes feeling great and smelling fresh. Mrs. Meyer’s softener, on the other hand, is made from natural ingredients that are better for the environment as well as your health. Keep on reading to learn more about our favorite softeners and what makes them so great.
Downy Infusions Liquid Fabric Softener, 2-Pack
Cozy freshness
If you enjoy soothing and relaxing scents, Downy’s fabric softener has you covered. Infused with lavender and vanilla bean, it can complement your favorite detergents nicely. Just one cup is needed to help your clothes smell fresher and more rejuvenating, and each bottle has enough liquid for 83 loads. Best yet, it’s safe for all washing machines, so you shouldn’t have any accidents or face any issues adding it to your regular laundry routine.
Pros:
- This fabric softener does a good job of helping keep your clothes wrinkle-free after they’ve been washed and dried.
- We like that the scent is noticeable without being too overpowering.
Cons:
- If it sits unused in the bottle for too long, this detergent may become a bit thicker and clumpier, making it harder to pour.
Snuggle Liquid Fabric Softener
Odor eliminator
Snuggle’s fabric softener doesn’t just mask bad scents — it eliminates them. With a specially designed odor-fighting formula, it helps get stubborn odors out from fabrics as you wash them. Its super-concentrated formula will allow you to get 150 loads out of a single bottle. And because it’s a liquid softener, you can easily adjust how much you use for each load depending on its size.
Pros:
- The concentrated formula allows you to use it for more loads without requiring you to buy extra bottles, which would take up more space.
- The odor-eliminating formula does a great job at removing stubborn smells that get deep into the fabric.
Cons:
- The scent is fresh but faint, which may not be ideal for those who like a more pronounced smell.
Gain Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets
Static no more
Gain’s fabric softener sheets are designed to make your clothes feel great straight from the dryer. And while the friction from clothes rubbing together can lead to static build-up, these sheets absorb it to keep you shock-free. They have a light, breezy scent that smells fresh and lingers a while on the clothing. Each box comes with 240 sheets, and you can use one to three of them per load depending on how large or small it is.
Pros:
- We love that these dryer sheets eliminate static build-up, preventing nasty surprises when you pull out your laundry.
- They do a great job of making clothes soft and supple.
Cons:
- If you tend to do larger loads of laundry, you’ll need to use more sheets, reducing how many loads you can get out of a single box.
Downy Eco-Box Fabric Softener
Straight from the spout
Pour your fabric softener more easily with the help of Downy’s cleverly designed eco-box. It features a convenient spout on its side, so you can enjoy a no-drip experience every time you do your laundry. And what caught our eye is that its box is made with 75% less plastic, reducing waste by holding more liquid in a compact size. To increase the number of loads you can do before buying another box, this softener comes in a super-concentrated formula.
Pros:
- We love how cleanly the liquid softener flows from the spout. For those of us tired of liquid softener leaking and dribbling, this is a welcome change.
- The cardboard box design is much more environmentally friendly than plastic bottles.
Cons:
- The flow from the spout can be difficult to control at times.
Mrs. Meyer’s Liquid Fabric Softener
Less chemicals, better health
Mrs. Meyer’s liquid fabric softener makes your clothes soft and supple without harsh chemicals. Made without parabens or phthalates, it’s more gentle and safer than other alternatives. Instead, this softener uses plant-derived ingredients and essential oils to naturally clean your garments. Best yet, it leaves clothes smelling floral and fruity to help lift your spirits every time you smell them.
Pros:
- We love that this softener also reduces static even though it is added to the washing machine.
- It is biodegradable, so it can reduce your impact on the environment while making your clothes softer.
Cons:
- With 32 fluid ounces in each bottle, you can only do 32 loads with this softener.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are parabens and phthalates?
Parabens and phthalates are chemicals that are used as preservatives in soaps and cleaners. They’ve been known to be linked with harmful health outcomes like asthma, allergic reactions, and more. While they continue to be used in various products, it can be a good idea to limit your exposure whenever possible to prevent negative health consequences.
How do fabric softeners remove static?
Static is often formed in the dryer as clothes rub against each other. Dryer sheets can help absorb this static by being coated with positively charged ions to negate static cling. Liquid fabric softeners, on the other hand, lubricate the clothing’s fibers to help reduce this static as they dry.
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