Last Updated on August 8, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas
Add fabric softener during the rinse cycle of your washing machine. Typically, this occurs after the detergent has been rinsed out. Fabric softener helps soften and freshen clothes, reducing static and making them feel more comfortable.
Jump To A Section
What Is The Correct Time For Using A Fabric Softener During Washing Your Clothes?
| Step in Washing Cycle | Timing to Add Fabric Softener | Facts and Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Add Detergent | Start of the Washing Cycle | Detergent cleans clothes, but fabric softener enhances softness, reduces wrinkles, and reduces static. |
| 2. Main Wash | After the Initial Detergent Rinse | The Main wash removes dirt; the fabric softener maintains fabric quality. |
| 3. Rinse Cycle | Add Fabric Softener Here | During the rinse, fabric softener coats fibers, creating a soft, smooth texture and minimizing static. |
| 4. Final Rinse and Spin | Continues as Usual | Fabric softener doesn’t interfere with final rinsing or spinning. |
| 5. Complete Washing Cycle | Finish the Washing Process | Softened clothes are more comfortable to wear and easier to iron. |
What Fabric Softeners Are
Fabric softeners are chemical compounds that include several softening components. Generally, fabric softeners are liquids, and a fabric softener includes two or three softening liquids like- liquid soap, olive oil, corn oil, and some chemicals. Different types of softeners are there in the market for softening different types of cloth materials. Fabric softeners are mainly available in emulsion forms that include emulsifiers to keep the clothes soft during washing in washing machines.
Why Do You Need To Use Fabric Softeners?
Nowadays, most families have washing machines, and they do laundry using washing machines. You might have noticed that your clothes get harsh after each wash with the washing machine. The fact is that a washing machine puts huge mechanical pressure on the materials of clothes during every wash. That pressure makes clothes harsher and wrinkled. Apart from that, many families use mechanical dryers for drying washed clothes. If you also do so, your clothes are more likely to get wrinkled and hard due to the dryer’s heat. That’s why the usage of fabric softeners is highly recommendable for retaining the softness of your clothes.
A fabric softener forms layers or coatings over the clothes that protect the clothes from getting damaged during washes. This way, the clothes’ materials don’t have to bear the immense mechanical pressure of a washing machine during washes. That’s why clothes remain fluffy, comfortable, and soft if you use fabric softener during washes. Fabric softeners function appropriately, as the name suggests.
Sakura flower fabric softener promotional poster template. Pink petal blossoms Japanese branch aroma. Golden package realistic 3d silk light blue soft satin background vector illustration art
Apart from softening materials of clothes, fabric softeners often add charming fragrances to clothes. Many people use fabric softeners only because they love the smells of those softeners. Using fabric softeners while washing dirty clothes in the washing machine can make your clothes smell way better. If your clothes smell nice, you will feel confident to put on those more comfortably.
Fabric softeners also leave contributions to straightening the fabrics of your clothes. Often the fabrics of your clothes become hard to iron after washing in the washing machine. Fabric softeners straighten the fabrics of clothes and make it easier to iron those fabrics.
For these reasons, the usage of fabric softeners is extremely popular among people. You should also use fabric softeners in terms of keeping your clothes in good condition.
Fabric Softener VS Vinegar
Some people use vinegar to keep their clothes in good condition instead of fabric softeners. The following chart will show the differences between vinegar and fabric softeners.
| Fabric softener | Vinegar |
| Fabric softeners are more expensive in comparison with vinegar. | Vinegar is a common item and it is cheaper than fabric softeners. |
| Fabric softeners are more efficient than vinegar in terms of keeping your clothes good. | Vinegar is not as effective as fabric softeners are. |
| Fabric softeners include chemicals that can cause skin diseases and irritations. | Vinegar doesn’t cause any kind of harm and is safe to use. |
When Should You Use Fabric Softeners?
It is important to know when you should add a fabric softener inside the washing machine. Most washing machine users don’t have any idea about this. They apply fabric softeners during wash cycles and end up having lousy washing experiences. If you use fabric softener during the wash cycle, your machine’s wash cycle will eliminate the chemical components of the fabric softener. Therefore, adding the fabric softener wouldn’t benefit you anyway.
You should add a fabric softener during the rinse cycle of your washing machine. When the rinse cycle starts inside the machine, you should add a sufficient amount of fabric softener. That will help you retain the softness and the quality of the materials of your clothes.
Can Fabric Softeners Be Dangerous?
Usually, fabric softeners cause no problems, and they are safe to use. Some specific conditions are not favorable for using fabric softeners.
- If someone in your family has sensitive skin or allergy-related disease, try to avoid using fabric softeners. The chemical components of fabric softeners can cause rashes or allergies to such a person.
- Don’t use fabric softener while washing the clothes of a baby or infant. Infants have soft and sensitive skin types. That’s why the residual amount of fabric softener can cause harm to the skin of the baby.
- If you’re having irritations or skin-related issues while using your clothes, stop using fabric softeners. Otherwise, the condition might get worse.
What Are The Proper Steps To Use Fabric Softeners?
To get the benefits of fabric softeners, you need to go through the following steps.
- First of all, measure the proper amount of fabric softener that is required. If you have inserted a load of four to five kgs, 35 ml of fabric softener will be enough. You must do calculations and figure out what amount of fabric softener is necessary according to the load.
- After that, you have to dilute the fabric softener into a sufficient amount of water. Then pour the diluted fabric softener into the detergent drawer of the washing machine.
- Set your washing machine correctly so that it dispenses the diluted fabric softener once the rinse cycle starts. Your washing machine will take care of the rinsing process using the fabric softener.
These simple steps can help you keep your clothes in the right condition by using a fabric softener.
Bottom Line
If you don’t feel comfortable while wearing your clothes due to hardness, fabric softeners are the solution. You must use fabric softeners during washing your clothes washing machines to reduce the hardness of the clothes.
References:
https://www.getnimnim.com/blog/when-should-you-use-a-fabric-softener
https://www.laundryheap.com/blog/when-should-you-use-fabric-softener/
Emma is a graduate of Domestic Science or Family and Consumer Sciences (Home Economics) from the University of Wisconsin. She has 7 years of experience Working with the strategic section of BestBuy and now writing full-time for Homeeon.
From Managing the Home, Interiors, Cleaning, and Exteriors to Gardening and everything about Making A Home Liveable – is her passion and this Homeeon is the result of this.
Emma loves decorating her home with the best stuff found online. She cares about quality over anything and writes reviews about them here in Homeeon. Get in touch with her over Pinterest.
Keep reading her blogs.
