When you wash your laundry with detergent, sometimes not all of the detergent washes out. This is particularly true if the detergent makes lots of suds. Leftover detergent in your fabric can be unpleasant in several ways: First, it can be scratchy. Second, you may be allergic to it, causing a rash or other allergic reactions. Third, if you perspire, you may feel soapy and slimy.
Fabric softener neutralizes the detergent in your wash so that it can be more effectively rinsed out.
Consequently, you don't want to add fabric softener to your wash before the rinse cycle, because if it neutralizes your detergent, your clothes won't get clean. However, detergents with their own built-in fabric softener work differently, and you should not be concerned about neutralization in that case.
| Brand | Comments |
| Downy | Downy is available in a variety of scents, as well as a version free of dyes and perfumes. Refill cartons are also available, but apparently not for the free of dyes and perfumes version. I find the free of dyes and perfumes version to be less commonly available, so you may have to shop around for it, and according to literature from the manufacturer, it's only available in the United States. |
| Snuggle | Despite the irritatingly cute bear logo, I find this to be an excellent fabric softener. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a scent-free version of it. |
