Do You Really Need Fabric Softener?
Part of our guide: Cutting Your Cleaning-Cupboard Bill Without the Grime
By the BasketLab team · updated 25 September 2026 · how we rank
I went the better part of two years without buying fabric softener and, honestly, I barely noticed. That's not a claim you hear often, because the stuff sits in every cleaning aisle like it's non-negotiable. It isn't. It does a real job on some loads and next to nothing on others, so it pays to know which is which before you keep topping up the Comfort.
No, fabric softener is optional. It coats fibres to make fabrics feel soft and smell fresh, but that same coating reduces absorbency and breathability. Skip it for towels, sportswear, microfibre and baby clothes. For everyday cottons it is a preference, not a requirement, and white vinegar or dryer balls do much of the same job for a fraction of the cost.
What fabric softener actually does
Fabric softener works by depositing a thin layer of lubricating chemicals onto fibres during the rinse cycle. That coating makes fabric feel smoother, reduces static cling and carries fragrance that lingers after drying.
The important part is that it is a coating, not a cleaner. It does nothing for hygiene or stain removal, and the same film that feels pleasant on a jumper is a problem on anything whose job is to absorb water or wick sweat.
When to skip it entirely
These are the loads where softener actively works against you.
- Towels. The coating repels water, so towels gradually stop absorbing and start smearing. This is the most common cause of "my towels have gone useless".
- Sportswear and technical fabrics. Softener clogs the wicking structure, so kit holds sweat and odour instead of moving it away.
- Microfibre cloths. Same problem: the coating fills the fibres that do the cleaning.
- Baby clothes and anything for sensitive skin. Fragrance and residue are common irritants; most guidance suggests a non-bio detergent and no softener.
- Flame-resistant childrenswear. Coatings can compromise the treatment.
- Waterproofs and down. Softener ruins the water-repellent finish and clumps insulation.
Cheaper alternatives that work
If you like soft laundry but resent the cost, there are two options that cover most of the benefit.
| Option | Cost | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| White vinegar (roughly 60ml in the softener drawer) | Pennies per wash | Softens by removing detergent residue, helps with odour, no coating, no lingering vinegar smell once dry |
| Wool dryer balls | One-off, lasts years | Separate fabrics in the dryer, cut static and drying time; no chemicals |
| Less detergent | Free (saves money) | Overdosing detergent is a leading cause of stiff, scratchy laundry in the first place |
| Nothing at all | Free | Perfectly fine for most loads, especially with a good detergent and a proper rinse |
One caution on vinegar: do not combine it with bleach, and check your machine manual, since a small number of manufacturers advise against regular acidic additives.
So when is it worth using?
Fabric softener earns its place on everyday cottons and bedding where you simply enjoy the feel and the scent, on clothes that come out of the machine stiff in hard-water areas, and where static is a genuine nuisance in winter.
That is a preference, and a perfectly legitimate one. The point is that it is a comfort product rather than a cleaning necessity, and knowing which loads to leave it out of will do more for your laundry than any brand choice.
Common questions
Do you really need fabric softener?
No. It is optional and does nothing for cleaning or hygiene. It coats fibres to make fabrics feel softer and smell fresh, which is a preference rather than a requirement, and it should be avoided entirely on towels, sportswear, microfibre and baby clothes.
Why should you not use fabric softener on towels?
The coating that makes fabrics feel soft also repels water, so towels progressively lose absorbency and start pushing water around rather than soaking it up. If your towels have gone useless, softener is the usual culprit.
What can I use instead of fabric softener?
White vinegar in the softener drawer (around 60ml) softens by removing detergent residue and costs pennies; wool dryer balls cut static and drying time with no chemicals. Using less detergent also helps, since overdosing is a common cause of stiff laundry.
Does vinegar damage the washing machine?
Used occasionally at normal dilution it is widely considered fine, and it can help with detergent build-up. Do not mix it with bleach, and check your machine manual, as a few manufacturers advise against regular acidic additives.
Is fabric softener bad for sensitive skin?
It can be. Fragrance and residue left on fabric are common irritants, which is why non-bio detergent with no softener is the usual recommendation for babies and anyone with eczema or sensitive skin.