Home & Garden Home Why You Don't Need Fabric Softener By Katherine Martinko Katherine Martinko Senior Editor University of Toronto Katherine Martinko is an expert in sustainable living. She holds a degree in English Literature and History from the University of Toronto. Learn about our editorial process Updated September 4, 2020 Laundry dried outdoors smells fresher and is easier to fold, as well as being better for the environment. esemelwe | Getty Images Home Natural Cleaning Pest Control DIY Family Green Living Thrift & Minimalism Sustainable Eating It's bad for the clothes, your health, and the planet. There is no good reason to use it. It has been said before on TreeHugger, but is always worth repeating: Fabric softener is a waste of money and bad for your clothes and the environment. A great writeup by ethical fashion blogger Verena Erin looks at this issue once again and explains why we'd be smart to simplify our laundry routines. How Fabric Softener Works Fabric softeners had their heyday fifty years ago, when laundry detergents were not as effective and left clothing rough and scratchy. That's no longer the case. Modern detergents do a fine job at cleaning and softening adequately, so we really don't need to be adding softener, whether it's in the form of liquid in the washing machine or a dryer sheet. Erin explains how softeners work: "They [cover] the fabric in a thin, lubricating film. This coating prevents static by making the garments slippery to reduce friction and the softener adds a positive charge to neutralise the negative static charge. It also helps to separate the fibres making things like towels fluffier. Additionally they are typically scented and designed so the scent will remain in the fabric." The Dangers of Fabric Softener This may sound fine, but as Erin points out, this introduces a host of harmful chemicals to our bodies. There's evidence that softeners make clothing more flammable, and we know they contain Quaternary ammonium compounds, or 'quats', which are linked to respiratory and skin irritations and harmful to marine environments. The Environmental Working Group says softeners contain fragrances and phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors, as well as preservatives and colors that are linked to skin irritations and cancer. Erin says that some fabric softeners contain palm oil and petroleum-derived ingredients, and are not cruelty-free: "An ingredient found in some fabric softeners is Dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride which is derived from animal fat." Softeners are not even good for clothing. They can stain whites and leave residue in machines. The soft coating builds up over time, impeding absorption, which is why athletic wear should never be laundered with a softener. Fortunately, you can get soft, fluffy laundry without fabric softener. If you rely on a dryer, Erin suggests swapping dryer sheets for wool or felt balls or balls made of aluminum foil. The natural lanolin oil in wool helps to soften clothes. You can also try adding a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. If you want to know exactly which products are safe to use, check out the Environment Working Group's Guide to Healthy Cleaning.