The best fabric softener to buy is the Fairy Fabric Softener. Safe for the whole family, it’s hypoallergenic and has been dermatologically tested, which means it shouldn't irritate your skin. It also keeps your clothes feeling soft and smelling fresh for days. Next, we have arguably the most popular eco-conscious fabric softener in the UK. Ecover’s rapeseed oil-based fabric softener is available in three different scents. Orange, lavender, vanilla, and tea tree are all great options, but you can use any essential oil that you want! Cost per wash: 2p | Number of washes: 42 | Litres: 1.26L | Brand: Almat (Aldi) | Format: Liquid | Scent: Fresh | Skin type: Normal | Feature: Budget-friendly What we love

Dropps is partnering with Oceana, an international ocean conservation organization. Their goal is to prevent habitat destruction, overfishing, and threats to natural marine life. You could be a partner, too, while using this natural fabric softener. It consists of mineral-based natural ingredients and is free of all toxic and synthetic chemicals. The softeners are also cruelty-free. Cost per wash: 5p | Number of washes: 166 | Litres: 5L | Brand: Ecover | Format: Liquid | Scent: Apple and Almond | Skin type: Sensitive | Feature: Palm oil free, vegan-friendly, dermatologically tested What we love That said, “clothes can absolutely come out smelling fresh and clean without using fabric softener,” says Fulford. “It is not something you have to use on your clothes.”A coroner in Quebec has noted that terrycloth and fleece washed in fabric softener may be more flammable than if they were washed without it.

Modern fabric softeners are available with just about any scent you can dream of, including the classic clean linen, floral scents, and even more exotic scents such as tropical or coconut. They contain a compound called dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, derived from animal fat. Some popular household fabric softeners have also been called out for using palm oil! Early cotton softeners were typically based on a water emulsion of soap and olive oil, corn oil, or tallow oil. [ citation needed] Softening compounds differ in affinity to various fabrics. Some work better on cellulose-based fibers (i.e., cotton), others have higher affinity to hydrophobic materials like nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polyacrylonitrile, etc. New silicone-based compounds, such as polydimethylsiloxane, work by lubricating the fibers. Manufacturers use derivatives with amine- or amide-containing functional groups as well. These groups improve the softener's binding to fabrics. If freshly washed laundry is all the scent you need, you’ll love these fragrance-free dryer sheets from Seventh Generation. These super-soft sheets are 97 percent plant-based and made from recycled materials, according to the brand. Plus, it has a B rating from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The Sun’s news story here explains a little more about this and the mother who first discovered this warning and wanted to share her findings to warn other parents. Is fabric softener the same as fabric conditioner?A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines.