The secret to fresher, softer, longer-lasting clothes
Regular use of fabric softener during washing gives clothes a fresh and pleasant scent, as well as protects them from the aging process. This way, your favorite clothes look like new and last much longer.
Fabric softener is an aqueous solution of cationic surfactants, with organic and inorganic components. Cationic substances are used in small quantities and have a softening function. They are distinguished by their fragrance and concentration.
Fabric softener gives the textile a freshness, a pleasant scent and softness to the touch. In addition, it protects the material from losing its shape and fading of color. It also has an antistatic effect and makes ironing easier.
How does the softener work?
The principle of action of the softener is similar to that of hair conditioner. The main ingredients, cationic substances and silicone, “fix” to the textile fibers after washing and form a protective layer.
This layer prevents limescale build-up, color fading, and fiber degradation due to hard water, mechanical friction in the washing machine, or wear. As a result, clothes retain their original appearance longer, are easier to iron, and do not accumulate static electricity, reports Telegraph.
Concentrated or regular softener?
Concentrated fabric softener is a more advanced version that is dosed in smaller amounts, but offers better protection for textiles and is more economical for the same amount of clothes.
From an ecological point of view, concentrated softener is also a better choice, because its production requires fewer natural resources, especially water. The transport of concentrated products requires less logistics, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Due to lower consumption, less plastic packaging is used, which further contributes to environmental protection.
It is important to note that fabric softener should also be used when washing at low temperatures. Washing at 30 °C and below is gentler on textiles and helps preserve the ozone layer, as it saves energy that would otherwise be spent on heating water, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
How to use softener correctly?
The fabric softener only starts to work in the rinse phase, at the end of the washing cycle, so it is important to pour it into the special compartment of the washing machine drawer.
The golden rule is to follow the instructions on the packaging and the correct dosage. For example, for 4–5 kg of laundry, 35 ml of fabric softener is recommended - one capful. If you add too little, the effect will be lacking; if you add too much, the fabric softener will not be completely rinsed out and the laundry may remain unpleasant to the touch.
The fabric softener is suitable for a wide range of modern fabrics. The exception is woolen fabrics such as fleece, velvet, chenille and terry.
Is it safe to use fabric softener if you are allergic?
If you suffer from allergies, choose fabric softeners marked "dermatologically tested" and combine them with hypoallergenic detergent, preferably certified by the European Center for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF).
For people with sensitive skin, using fabric softener is especially important, because it reduces discomfort while wearing and makes the fabric softer.
However, keep in mind that there may be individual intolerance to certain ingredients. This applies to everything we come into contact with, including softeners. If, for example, you are sensitive to a certain fragrance, read the product's composition carefully and make sure it does not contain problematic components. /Telegraph/
