Best fabric softeners

Conventional wisdom suggests that you should use fabric-softener sheets in the dryer to lessen static cling, but we found that liquids you use in the washing machine reduced the static charge in a load of synthetic clothing slightly better than sheets did.

Our tests of 12 liquids, eight sheets, a dryer ball, and a reusable dryer cloth revealed one excellent product, Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions liquid, and debunked the belief that fabric softeners, especially liquids, leave towels far less absorbent. (See our Ratings of fabric softeners, available to subscribers only.)

The loss of absorbency was very noticeable with only Snuggle Concentrate and liquid Snuggle Exhilarations. (More laundry detergents are being formulated with a softener. But in past tests, we found that they left clothes less soft than those laundered with separate detergent and softener.)

Other findings from our tests:

• Products differed mainly in their ability to soften clothes. Some liquids were very good; the dryer sheets were so-so at best.

• The reusable Method Softener Infused Dryer Cloth and the Dryer Max Dryer Balls scored just fair overall. Testers said that laundry dried with them felt more scratchy or stiff than most.

• Costs range from 2 cents per use to 26 cents; we rated some of the lower-priced products very good.

• Past tests have shown that even the best fabric softeners can build up over time, especially on fleece and flannel, which can reduce the flame resistance. Most products warn against use on flame-resistant clothes or kids' sleepwear.

The Consumer Reports take. The best overall softener was Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions liquid (9 cents per load). The manufacturer claims that its package has recycled content and that its ingredients are biodegradable. If you prefer dryer sheets, consider Bounce (5 cents), Gain, (4 cents), or Kirkland Signature (Costco), just 2 cents per load in the 492-sheet pack.

Among the best fabric softeners we tested, many liquids do one load per ounce; Touch Liquid weighs 64 ounces but delivers just 21 loads. The Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions, Ultra Downy with Febreze, and Ultra Downy concentrated liquids give you a few more loads than regular products for the same weight.

If scent bothers you, try Ultra Downy liquid or Bounce sheets, the only conventional products we tested that come in an unscented version.

Essential information: Visit our washing machine page for expert advice on buying and using this appliance. See the full list (in alphabetical order) of tested fabric softeners below.

LIQUIDS
Ecover • Final Touch • Great Value (Wal-Mart) Everyday Elegance #7250 • Method • Mrs. Meyers Clean Day • Nice n Fluffy Escape • Purex Ultra Soft (Plus Renuzit) • Snuggle Concentrate • Snuggle Exhilarations • Ultra Downy • Ultra Downy With Febreze • Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions

SHEETS
Arm & Hammer Essentials • Bounce • Cuddle Soft • Downy Simple Pleasures • Gain Joyful Expressions • Kirkland Signature (Costco) #177806 • Snuggle Exhilarations • Suavitel

OTHER SOFTENERS
Dryer Max Dryer Balls • Method Softener Infused Dryer Cloths

Comments

[CJHale]

Unfortuneatly scented fabric softener users don't realize that there are many people who become sensitive to the fragrances in fabric softeners.(Watch out...you may be next. It is suspect that the constant exposure to fragrances can trigger the allergy). The fabric sofener "scents" which cause headaces, nausea and even neuologic symptoms, are in the air from dryer vents as well as on the clothes of 7 out of 10 people who are near me. I can't expect to go for a walk in my neighborhood for some "fresh air" unless the walk is long after everyone is sleeping.
Please, consumers, state representatives and manufacturers, think again about all the "scents" that are destroying "fresh air" for thosse of us with asthma, allergies and sensitivities.

[Corkey SJ]

where can I buy Final Touch fabric softener?

[Nancy]

I purchased the Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions based on your report on fabric softeners, but the bottles' label does not say it is a fabric softener, nor does it say it's a clothes washing detergent.
Is this actually a detergent with fabric softener in it? If so, why is it not labeled as such?
I hope I haven't purchased the wrong item. I hope you can resolve my confusion.
Thank you.

[Daniel]

Nancy: There is both a detergent and a fabric softener sold under the name "Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions." The fabric softener is clearly labeled as such; the detergent is not (the word "detergent" is in small type toward the bottom of the label). The two products have somewhat differently shaped bottles as well. My local supermarket carries both items, so it was easy to see what was going on. Your retailer seems to carry only the detergent---and in that case, it can be rather confusing. Have a look at http://www.gainlaundry.com/static/products.asp to see the differences between the two.

[Cathy]

WHERE can I purchase Final Touch Fabric softener??? I am having
a very difficult time obtaining it. The major stores (Kroger,Meijer,
WalMart,etc.) do not stock it. Please tell me where in the Toledo,Ohio area I can purchase this product.

[Stefanie]

Hi, I'm trying to find ingredients for Cuddle Soft liquid fabric softener. I'm allergic to lanolin and wool and I think that this is the culprit making me itch like crazy from head to toe... Please, if you can help me find the ingredients in this, send me some info! Thanks, Itchy and Scratchy

[Mark]

I have yet to find Ultra Gain fabric softener in Manhattan, and I've looked in over 10 different businesses (not locations) - grocery stores, drugstoes, houswares stores. The detergent is everywhere, but Downy seems to crowd everything else off the shelf. Downy and Gain are both P&G products, so it's not as if they don't have the distribution channel.

[Mark]

Update - just happened to find some in a Rite Aid in lower Manhattan, one I'd looked in before. So maybe Gain Ultra Fabric Softener will get expanded distribution following on CR's positive review.

I should note though that it's the normal scent. I'm assuming the scent is not going to affect the product's efficacy. I'm not keen on the Joyful Expressions scents (they're fruity)

[Keith Anderson]

Hi,
My new wife puts a small pot of fabric softener on the stove and sets it to simmer. She does this to mask the smell of the stinky fish she is cooking. I have never heard of anyone doing this. My question is...... are the fumes toxic?

Any information would be appreciated.

[Annon]

Keith, I would definitely recommend that she stops doing that, fabric softeners do contain harmful chemicals.

[royra]

you can buy final touch at a Sentry grocery store if you have them there?

[Ellen]

Dryer sheets use a kind of meltable wax to hold the chemicals in place until released. This wax coats the filter and, over time, reduces the airflow and makes the drying process take longer and longer. If using them, rinse the filters regularly to remove the build-up.

[Janice]

I am vacationing and washed clothes in a stackable washer and dryer. Does a wonderful job. However, when I removed my clothes from the dryer today, I had large (very large) spots on my blouses and shirts. The spots look like melted wax. I read the directions on the box (Great Value Spring Fresh fabric softener sheets), and it says if spotting should occur: wet fabric, rub spot with a pure bar soap. then rinse and rewash item". Is this a regular problem? Or has anyone else had this happen?