March 2008
Best fabric softeners
Conventional wisdom advises using fabric-softener sheets to lessen static cling, but we found that overall, liquids reduced
the static charge in a load of synthetic clothing slightly better than sheets did.
Our tests of 12 liquids, eight sheets, a dryer ball and a reusable dryer cloth revealed one excellent product, Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions liquid, and debunked another piece of conventional wisdom: that softeners, especially liquids, leave towels far less absorbent. There's a trade-off, but the loss of absorbency was very noticeable with only Snuggle Concentrate and liquid Snuggle Exhilarations. Other findings among the Best fabric softeners:
CR's take. Best overall was Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions liquid, 9 cents a load. It also claims that its package has recycled content and that its ingredients are biodegradable. If you prefer dryer sheets, consider Bounce (5 cents), Gain, (4 cents), or Kirkland Signature (Costco), just 2 cents a load but you have to buy a 492-sheet pack.
Among the best fabric softeners we tested, many liquids do one load per ounce. To limit trips to the supermarket for heavy bottles, think twice about Final Touch liquid, which weighs 64 ounces but does just 21 loads. Concentrated liquids—Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions, Ultra Downy with Febreze, and Ultra Downy—give you a few more loads than regular products for the same weight.
If scent bothers you, try Ultra Downy liquid or Bounce sheets, the only conventional products with unscented versions.
Our tests of 12 liquids, eight sheets, a dryer ball and a reusable dryer cloth revealed one excellent product, Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions liquid, and debunked another piece of conventional wisdom: that softeners, especially liquids, leave towels far less absorbent. There's a trade-off, but the loss of absorbency was very noticeable with only Snuggle Concentrate and liquid Snuggle Exhilarations. Other findings among the Best fabric softeners:
- The main difference among products came in the ability to soften clothes. Some liquids were very good; the dryer sheets were
so-so at best.
- Costs range from 2 cents per use to 26 cents, and some of the lower-priced products were very good.
- Method Softener Infused Dryer Cloth and Dryer Max Dryer Balls scored just fair overall. Testers said that laundry dried with
them felt more scratchy or stiff than most.
- More detergents are being formulated with a softener. But in past tests, they left clothes less soft than those laundered
with separate detergent and softener.
- Past tests have shown that even the best fabric softeners can build up over time, especially on fleece and flannel, which
can reduce flame resistance. Most products warn against use on flame-resistant clothes or kids' sleepwear.
CR's take. Best overall was Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions liquid, 9 cents a load. It also claims that its package has recycled content and that its ingredients are biodegradable. If you prefer dryer sheets, consider Bounce (5 cents), Gain, (4 cents), or Kirkland Signature (Costco), just 2 cents a load but you have to buy a 492-sheet pack.
Among the best fabric softeners we tested, many liquids do one load per ounce. To limit trips to the supermarket for heavy bottles, think twice about Final Touch liquid, which weighs 64 ounces but does just 21 loads. Concentrated liquids—Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions, Ultra Downy with Febreze, and Ultra Downy—give you a few more loads than regular products for the same weight.
If scent bothers you, try Ultra Downy liquid or Bounce sheets, the only conventional products with unscented versions.
