Reusable fabric conditioner?

waqasahmed

I've seen this 

https://amzn.eu/d/3eoVpan

However, it isn't anywhere near as cheap as just buying some fabric conditioner from Lidl. 

Also, apparently it isn't needed? Though it does make things smell nicer at least 

https://ethicalunicorn.com/2018/11/06/you-dont-need-fabric-softener-heres-why-its-useless-bad-for-the-planet/

I grew up with my mum using both washing powder and fabric conditioner. Is fabric softener still required when using washing powder too? And does anyone know of a cheaper fabric softener, compared to what I already use?

London_1

White vinegar at 29p for a bottle in most supermarkets does the same job for a lot less cash.softens the clothes and leaves no smell. I line dry my clothes anyway so fresh air to dry them is free and smells better

JackieO xx

PollyWollyDoodle

I never use fabric conditioner - it’s not necessary in my view, and I dislike the smell. As Jackie O says, white vinegar will do the job but I only use that very occasionally on towels. Most of my clothes are years old so they don’t seem to suffer!  

waqasahmed

London_1 said:

White vinegar at 29p for a bottle in most supermarkets does the same job for a lot less cash.softens the clothes and leaves no smell. I line dry my clothes anyway so fresh air to dry them is free and smells better

JackieO xx

Leaves no smell? Really? It doesn't smell all vinegary? How much vinegar do you use btw? 

Sky_

An ecoegg (as in your link) is primarily for use in place of soap powder/liquid.  It leaves your clothes soft because there is no soap residue o harden them and because the mineral balls inside the ecoegg have a softening effect on the washing water. 

I've used an ecoegg for years and only use detergent for particularly dirty or smelly laundry, such as the dogs' blankets.  I use a teaspoon of vinegar as a rinse aid if I use detergent and there is only a slight vinegar smell when the clothes are first removed from the machine, but it disappears quickly.

comeandgo

Yup, another for using vinegar.  You do get a whiff when first opening the washing machine to take the clothes out but no lingering smell.  

katkin

A few drops off essential oil like lavender in with the vinegar gives wee waft of niceness.

I find using half as much as you think of washing powder (unless the laundry is really dirty) so there's no residue on the wash helps with softness too. Nothing quite beats line dried for a great smell either. 

JIL

Have you seen what fabric softener is made from? Especially the cheaper versions. Theres tallow in them. A fatty extract from animals. 
I do use fabric softeners but I get an eco version, tallow free and use it sparingly.

Emmia

I never use fabric conditioner (or white vinegar) clothes come out of the machine clean and smelling fine.

London_1

Personally I never use vinegar on my food as I can't abide the smell,yet I have no problem using white vinegar in my washing machine. I have been using it for probably about 20 odd years, and my towels and bedding stay soft, and also the clothes

As I line dry things my washing smells of fresh air.I don't own and never have had a tumble dryer as I find fresh air is better. But then I open a window for fresh air indoors as I dislike air freshner smells as well.

I put the smal amount into the little compartment of my washing machine as I would if it was conditioner.I only use half the amount of detergent,(I use Aldi's liquid non-bio ) as I top the detergent up with soda crystals, they cost about 70p for a kilo, not the commercial Calgon, just ordinary Soda crystals from the supermarket or Boots. The calgon is more expensive as you are paying for the advertising on Tv

My washing machine is around 10years old and is as good as the day it was installed 

JackieO xx

katkin

JIL said:

Have you seen what fabric softener is made from? Especially the cheaper versions. Theres tallow in them. A fatty extract from animals. 
I do use fabric softeners but I get an eco version, tallow free and use it sparingly.

They can also contain petroleum or palm-oil-derived ingredients. FC and the scent boosting pearl are harmful to aquatic / marine life, there's even a warning on the package. 

I can feel the coating FB leaves on the laundry. Don't know if its hearsay or what (or maybe I've read it on the label) but they can be flammable. 

Add to that the plastic / packaging that needs to be recycled and the cost - I really do not like using them!