Bree-Anna Burick Jun 18, 2024 6 min read

Is Fabric Softener Bad for You? | Best Alternatives

If you're like the majority of people who do their own laundry, you likely use fabric softener alongside your detergent to give your clothes a softer look and feel. You might feel that fabric softener is an essential part of your laundry day, but you may have never thought about what it's actually doing to not only your clothes but your washing machine.

While you may have the best intentions of soft, clean clothes for yourself or your family, the question is arising more and more: is fabric softener bad for you?

What Does Fabric Softener Do?

Fabric softener is made from oils that melt during the wash or dry cycle then permeate and coat fabric fibers. This wax film can help neutralize static charge, which helps to prevent wrinkles and staticy clothing. Softeners can also help keep colors vibrant and help clothes smell good.

Depending on what kind of fabric softener you prefer, it can come in a few different forms.

Liquid fabric softener is added to the washing machine with detergent and coats the fabric fibers. The liquid softener helps clothes not only feel softer, but also helps them from stretching, color fading, and collecting fuzz.

Dryer sheets are another popular type of fabric softener, but these are added to the dry cycle. Similar to the liquid, dryer sheets also coat fabric fibers, but they help to reduce friction and static in clothing.

Dryer balls are similar to dryer sheets as they're used in the drying cycle, but they can be made of wool, plastic, or rubber. They not only help fluff your clothing, but they can speed up drying time as they help separate the wet laundry and allow for warm air to circulate better.

Regardless of which form of fabric softener you use, they're all intended to make your laundry feel and look better. But at what cost?

Drawbacks of Fabric Softener

Fabric softeners have long been hailed for their ability to add a cozy softness and fresh scent to laundry, but studies reveal potential downsides that could impact both your clothes and your health.

1. Impact on Your Linens and Washer/Dryer

Even some of the best fabric softener contains ingredients that can compromise the quality of your clothes over time. These products work by coating fibers with a layer of chemicals that can ultimately mat down fibers, reducing their absorbency.

This effect is particularly noticeable with towels and microfiber cloths designed to trap dirt and moisture. The waxes in fabric softeners can break down water-resistant materials found in athletic apparel, compromising their ability to effectively wick away sweat during workouts.

Because softeners are oil-based, they have been known to leave stains on fabrics and even trap existing stains.

Beyond fabric concerns, fabric softeners also leave residue in washing machines and dryers, potentially interfering with their proper function. This buildup can prevent drainage and increase wear and tear on pumps and motors, causing more frequent maintenance and repairs.

2. Health Concerns

Many fabric softeners and dryer sheets contain chemicals that have raised significant health concerns.

These chemicals, classified under federal law as carcinogenic, toxic, and hazardous to personal and environmental health, include:

Benzyl acetate, which is linked to pancreatic cancer
Benzyl alcohol, which can irritate your upper respiratory tract
Ethanol, which is associated with central nervous system disorders
Limonene, which is a known carcinogen
Chloroform, a neurotoxin and carcinogen

Synthetic fragrances used in these products can exacerbate health issues further. When heated in the dryer, these fragrances aerosolize and can be inhaled, potentially triggering respiratory problems.

For anyone with sensitive skin, exposure to fabric softener residues can cause irritation and discomfort, a concern heightened when dealing with items like baby clothing that remain in close contact with delicate skin.

3. Environmental Impact

The chemicals in fabric softeners not only affect your home but also pose risks to the environment. These substances are released into the air during use and wash off fabrics, eventually finding their way into water systems.

Once in oceans, lakes, or rivers, these chemicals can disrupt ecosystems and harm plants and animals.

When Not to Use Fabric Softener

If you're still not ready to part with your fabric softener, it's at least important to know when to not use it to keep certain fabrics and clothings in top shape.

Don't use fabric softener on:

Microfiber: Using fabric softeners can impair the fabric's ability to effectively trap dust and absorb spills.
Athletic Wear: Fabric softeners coat the fibers, diminishing the fabric's "wicking" capability, which is essential for keeping you cool and dry during workouts.
Children's Clothing: Children's sleepwear is required by law to be flame resistant. Using fabric softeners reduces this flame resistance, making them unsuitable for use on children's sleepwear.
Towels: While softeners can impart a pleasant scent and texture to towels, they can also reduce the fabric's ability to absorb water effectively.

3 Fabric Softener Alternatives

If the downsides of fabric softeners are all you need to hear, you may be looking for alternatives to use on your next laundry day.

1. Homemade Fabric Softener

One of the easiest ways to replace your old fabric softener is by making your own, and luckily you only need one simple ingredient - white vinegar. This affordable, natural fabric softener can help clothes feel soft and fresh, while also helping to remove residue from detergents.

To use white vinegar as fabric softener, add 1/2 cup into the washer at the beginning of the rinse cycle. If your washer has a specific compartment for it, pour your homemade fabric softener in there.

2. Aluminum Foil Dryer Balls

While rolling aluminum foil into balls might not make clothes feel softer, it can still help reduce static. The best part about these fabric softener alternatives is they are reusable and more environmentally friendly than dryer sheets.

Roll the aluminum foil into 3-inch balls and throw them in the dryer your next laundry day. When the foil starts to become smooth, throw them out and make new ones.

3. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a wonder when it comes to cleaning your home and eliminating odors, and now it can be used as your new, natural fabric softener too. This alternative can help soften and get rid of unwanted smells in your clothing.

Just add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your next wash cycle.