A fabric softener, also called fabric conditioner, is a product added to the laundry during the rinse cycle. This helps to soften and reduce the harshness of clothes when they are dried in the air. A fabric softener is different from laundry detergent, an agent that helps wash clothes clean. Both can reduce your clothes' scrubbing and drying time, but a fabric conditioner is a better option for sensitive skin.
Fabric softeners are used in machine-washed laundry to improve the feel of clothing. In contrast, air-drying your laundry causes it to feel harsher and crunchier than tumble-drying. Using fabric softeners can improve the clothing feeling by reducing static electricity and odor. Because of this, fabric softeners are used in clothes that must be ironed. Using fabric softeners also enhances the color retention of clothes.
A fabric softener is used in clothes to prevent the threads from falling apart or fading. It also prevents loose strings. However, most fabric softeners contain toxic chemicals that can harm your health and clothes. Choose fabric softeners made with natural ingredients to avoid the risk of damaging your clothes.
Another alternative to fabric softener is wool dryer balls. These balls simulate fabric softener's benefits without containing chemicals. Wool dryer balls work to create space between damp clothes, reducing the drying time and preventing wrinkles. These balls are available in many stores and online. They also reduce static and soften fabrics. A very big advantage is that wool dryer balls are reusable.
While softeners can decrease static cling and enhance the smell of clothing, they also have negative side effects. They can weaken synthetic materials like nylon and spandex. If you don't want to risk your workout clothes, you might want to use a laundry detergent specifically designed for this purpose.
Using fabric softeners in the laundry can keep your clothes from feeling uncomfortable and wrinkled. This product prevents clothes from pilling. Unlike dryer sheets, fabric softeners can also make your clothes smell nice by adding a pleasant fragrance. Three kinds of fabric softeners are available today: balls, liquid, and pods. The best alternative to fabric softener is vinegar. Instead of buying expensive fabric softener, try using distilled white vinegar.
What is a fabric softener made of?
Softeners are commonly hydrophobic and form an emulsion. While early formulations contained soaps, modern softeners are based on silicone-based anti-foaming agents and cationic and non-ionic surfactants. Other ingredients may include fragrances and colors.
Fabric softeners contain emulsifiers to penetrate the fibers of fabrics. There are macro-emulsions, micro-emulsions, and emulsion polymers. Depending on the fabric softener you're using, you'll likely have to add more or less of these to achieve the desired results. Micro-emulsions are water-soluble and can penetrate the fibers.
A lot of people use fabric softeners in their laundry. But they should know about the chemicals in fabric softener. The main ingredient in fabric softener is dihydrogenated tallow, a fatty material that gives clothes a "slippery" feel. The chemicals can also cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. They also irritate sensitive skin and aggravate asthma.
Another problem with fabric softeners is that they contain petroleum-based chemicals. They create a coating on your clothes that prevents water from penetrating the fabric. But that coating also locks in dirt and odors. These petroleum-based chemicals make some fabrics flammable when treated with fabric softeners. Many fragrances contain phthalates linked to skin irritation.
Although the active ingredient is an oily liquid, it is still not completely water-soluble. This is why fabric softeners contain a chemical called an emulsifier. This chemical stabilizes the softener liquid so that it will not separate into two phases. Those are the basics of fabric softener chemistry.
Quats are fatty materials that coat clothes in a thin layer of fatty material. Quats make fabrics feel softer and smoother and are associated with an increased risk of contact allergies. They can also be toxic to the environment and marine life. Even eco-friendly fabric softeners contain these compounds.
Liquid fabric softeners can cause also headaches. Dryer sheets also release chemicals, which can pose a health risk. Liquid fabric softener is slightly better than dryer sheets because it doesn't release chemicals into the air, making them less toxic.
What is the origin of the fabric softener?
Conrad J. Gaiser, a textile engineer, created the first fabric softener in 1965. Initially, soap and oil-based fabric softeners softened cotton by forming a thin coat over the fabric. Later, manufacturers began fabric softeners that seeped into the fabric and enhanced the absorption of chemicals.
Fabric softeners use chemicals from the silicone family, such as polydimethylsiloxane. These compounds have unusual flow properties and contain siloxane, a fluid that lubricates fibers and makes ironing easier. Silicone derivatives also soften fabric, while quaternary ammonium compounds kill germs. Those compounds are often found in laundry detergents.
The chemical compound that makes fabric softeners work comprises two different types of molecules. These substances are hydrophobic and non-hydrophobic. They attach to fibers through electrostatic attraction, giving the fabric a softer feel. Microemulsions have smaller droplets, which make them easier to penetrate the fibers. These chemicals are often combined with other chemicals, such as silicone-based anti-foaming agents.
