Condition Your Fabric And Feel The Difference
Fabric softener (also called fabric conditioner) is a chemical compound that prevents static cling and confers many other desirable properties to laundry that has been machine-washed. They are available as solutions and solids, sometimes impregnated in "dryer sheets."
Varieties
Many modern washing machines have a dispenser, which can add liquid fabric softener to the load of laundry automatically on the final rinse; in launderettes it may need to be added manually. Some brands of washing powder have fabric conditioning mixed in which is claimed to save money when compared to buying ordinary washing powder and fabric softener separately. Some manufacturers claim their products make ironing easier and/or make clothes dry faster. All liquid fabric softeners are designed to be added to water – either by adding the product directly to the final rinse water or by 2:1 (water:softener) dilution in an automatic dispenser. Even diluted fabric softener will cause spotting when poured directly onto clothes and can ruin them.
Dry fabric softeners are typically supplied in the form of dryer sheets, which are added to clothing in the tumble dryer to soften the fabric and prevent buildup of static electricity in susceptible fabrics. Many alternative uses of dryer sheets have been suggested by users such as dusting, and removing hair from clothes.
Mechanism of action
Fabric softeners work by coating the surface of the washed fabric with a thin layer of chemical compounds that are electrically conductive, thus preventing buildup of static charge and improving their feel. Other functions are improvements of iron glide during ironing, increased stain resistance, and reduction of wrinkling and pilling. They also reduce the drying time for clothes, saving energy. Many contain fragrances. Cationic fabric softeners are added to the final step of the wash cycle, lest they interact with the detergents used in the actual cleaning.
Other compounds may be included in the formulation of fabric softeners, e.g., to provide additional functions; acids or bases for maintaining the optimal pH for absorption to the fabric, electrolytes, carriers (usually water, sometimes water-alcohol mixture), and others, e.g. silicone-based anti-foaming agents, emulsion stabilizers, fragrances, and colors. A relatively recent form on the market are the ultra-concentrates, where the amount of carriers and some other chemical compounds is substantially lower and much smaller volumes are used.
Cationic softeners bind by electrostatic attraction to the negatively charged groups on the surface of the fibers and neutralize their charge; the long aliphatic chains are then oriented towards the outside of the fiber, imparting lubricity.
Whether you use liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets, fabric softeners work well at softening fibers, reducing static, and adding a bit of fragrance to your laundry. But using it on certain materials can actually have a negative effect on the fibers. Here are four times you should skip it:
1. Microfiber
What's great about microfiber is that its intricate fibers have the ability to trap dust and absorb spills. However, if you toss it in the wash with fabric softener, you could end up destroying the effectiveness and durability of its fibers.
2. Athletic Sportswear
Many types of athletic wear have wicking technology to absorb sweat from your skin and keep you cool when you're working out. If you use fabric softener on these garments, it'll leave a coating that will prevent them from wicking.
3. Flame-Retardant Clothing
To reduce the risk that kids' sleepwear will catch on fire, it's required to be flame-resistant. Washing your children's pajamas and nightgowns with fabric softener will make them more flammable. We repeat: It will make them MORE FLAMMABLE.
4. Towels
While everyone loves to dry off with a soft towel, liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets can reduce the absorption factor of terry cloth and other fluffy fabrics.
Varieties
Many modern washing machines have a dispenser, which can add liquid fabric softener to the load of laundry automatically on the final rinse; in launderettes it may need to be added manually. Some brands of washing powder have fabric conditioning mixed in which is claimed to save money when compared to buying ordinary washing powder and fabric softener separately. Some manufacturers claim their products make ironing easier and/or make clothes dry faster. All liquid fabric softeners are designed to be added to water – either by adding the product directly to the final rinse water or by 2:1 (water:softener) dilution in an automatic dispenser. Even diluted fabric softener will cause spotting when poured directly onto clothes and can ruin them.
Dry fabric softeners are typically supplied in the form of dryer sheets, which are added to clothing in the tumble dryer to soften the fabric and prevent buildup of static electricity in susceptible fabrics. Many alternative uses of dryer sheets have been suggested by users such as dusting, and removing hair from clothes.
Mechanism of action
Fabric softeners work by coating the surface of the washed fabric with a thin layer of chemical compounds that are electrically conductive, thus preventing buildup of static charge and improving their feel. Other functions are improvements of iron glide during ironing, increased stain resistance, and reduction of wrinkling and pilling. They also reduce the drying time for clothes, saving energy. Many contain fragrances. Cationic fabric softeners are added to the final step of the wash cycle, lest they interact with the detergents used in the actual cleaning.
Other compounds may be included in the formulation of fabric softeners, e.g., to provide additional functions; acids or bases for maintaining the optimal pH for absorption to the fabric, electrolytes, carriers (usually water, sometimes water-alcohol mixture), and others, e.g. silicone-based anti-foaming agents, emulsion stabilizers, fragrances, and colors. A relatively recent form on the market are the ultra-concentrates, where the amount of carriers and some other chemical compounds is substantially lower and much smaller volumes are used.
Cationic softeners bind by electrostatic attraction to the negatively charged groups on the surface of the fibers and neutralize their charge; the long aliphatic chains are then oriented towards the outside of the fiber, imparting lubricity.
Whether you use liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets, fabric softeners work well at softening fibers, reducing static, and adding a bit of fragrance to your laundry. But using it on certain materials can actually have a negative effect on the fibers. Here are four times you should skip it:
1. Microfiber
What's great about microfiber is that its intricate fibers have the ability to trap dust and absorb spills. However, if you toss it in the wash with fabric softener, you could end up destroying the effectiveness and durability of its fibers.
2. Athletic Sportswear
Many types of athletic wear have wicking technology to absorb sweat from your skin and keep you cool when you're working out. If you use fabric softener on these garments, it'll leave a coating that will prevent them from wicking.
3. Flame-Retardant Clothing
To reduce the risk that kids' sleepwear will catch on fire, it's required to be flame-resistant. Washing your children's pajamas and nightgowns with fabric softener will make them more flammable. We repeat: It will make them MORE FLAMMABLE.
4. Towels
While everyone loves to dry off with a soft towel, liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets can reduce the absorption factor of terry cloth and other fluffy fabrics.
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