A great fabric softener will leave your clothes, bedsheets and towels feeling and smelling incredible. But the right fabric softener for you will depend on lots of factors, from the size of your household and the age of your children, to your skin health and personal preferences. Here, we’ll break down what to look for when choosing a fabric softener for you and your family’s laundry needs.
If you have a large family or a tight budget (or both!), then you’ll want to get the best mileage possible out of your fabric softener. New Sta-soft® Ultra Concentrate can help, packing 4x more softening power and fragrance into one small capful. One 500ml value pack provides 20 washes, saving you even more money. And because it’s ready to use straight from the bottle with no diluting, it saves you time, too.
Fabric softener can be helpful for sensitive skin because it coats fabrics with a smooth, lubricating film and reduces friction. This is especially beneficial for fabrics like cotton and wool, which can otherwise become rough or stiff after washing.
That said, if you have sensitive skin, you’ll know that some ingredients in fabric softener and other personal care products can cause you irritation. To reduce that risk, avoid harsh or strongly fragranced products and choose a hypoallergenic fabric softener like Sta-soft® Ultra Concentrate Sensitive instead. It’s dermatologically tested and contains a gentle floral fragrance, with no dyes or unnecessary fillers.
A baby’s delicate skin needs the utmost care, so consider a specially formulated fabric softener like Sta-soft® Baby Fabric Conditioner for your little ones. It contains hypoallergenic ingredients to protect their sensitive skin, and a light, gentle fragrance that will soothe babies without overwhelming them. And you won’t have to buy separate products, as Sta-soft® Baby Fabric Conditioner can be used by the rest of the family, too.
Most materials can be made softer, cosier and more comfortable with a fabric softener. However, always check the label of your clothing and fabric softener to make sure they’re compatible. And if you’re washing the following materials, consider skipping the softener altogether:
Flame-retardant clothing. Fabric softeners can weaken the special fire-retardant coating designed to reduce flammability.
Water-repellent materials. These materials also contain a special coating that might be damaged by fabric softeners, affecting their waterproof properties.
Microfibre. Fabric softeners can cause cloths and towels made from this material to lose their grip and absorbency.
Sports and athletic wear. These are often made with sweat-wicking materials, but fabric softeners can cause these materials to trap moisture instead of removing it.
Swimsuits, sports bras and spandex. Fabric softener can cause these tough materials to dry more slowly, which can leave them smelling musty.
Looking for ways to minimise your impact on the environment? Concentrated fabrics like Sta-soft® Ultra Concentrate pack more washes into a smaller container size, saving up to 60% plastic compared to a standard equivalent.
On the other hand, a refillable dilute like Sta-soft® Lavender Fresh Refill allows you to reuse plastic containers you already have. You simply buy a refill sachet containing 500ml of highly concentrated solution, pour it into your existing container and add water to make 2 litres of fabric softener – no new bottles required.
The right fragrance can work wonders for your mood and your confidence. We know that fragrance is a highly personal choice, though, which is why we offer a broad range of scents to suit your personality and tastes. Here are just a few you can choose from:
Lavender Dream. Lavender is shown to improve stress levels, encourage relaxation, and even promote good sleep. Try this blend of soothing lavender and sweet vanilla to see why this is our most popular scent!
Ocean Fresh. Bring back memories of breezy beach days with this clean, fresh ocean-inspired scent.
Spring Fresh. Capture that fresh first-day-of-spring feeling all year round with this crisp, clean fragrance.
Water Lily Sensations. Hit pause on your busy day and let the tranquillity of nature wash over you with the delicate scent of water lilies.
Aromatherapy Vitality. Get a burst of energy every time you catch this bold, bright blend of zesty citrus, refreshing herbals and uplifting florals.
Aromatherapy Passion. Set the mood with this sensual, seductive blend of peach, berries, vanilla and jasmine.
Aromatherapy Indulgence. Treat yourself to everyday luxury with this decadent aromatherapy blend of gardenias, orchids, vanilla and peach.
You can choose from the full range of Sta-soft fabric softeners here. And if you’re still wondering which Sta-soft® scents are right for you, check out our article Choosing the Right Fragrance: A Guide to Sta-soft® Scents.
