Why use fabric softener when washing?

While doing laundry, the housewife may wonder: why do you need fabric softener? Is it worth adding it or can you do without it? Of course, things will become clean thanks to washing powder. But using a mouthwash will soften them and even protect them, so it’s best not to give it up.

Pros of air conditioners

Fabric softeners have a positive effect:

• soften the fabric;
• repel dirt and moisture;
• simplify the ironing process after washing;
• keep colors bright;
• remove static electricity;
• gives things a pleasant smell.

All this is achieved using cationic surfactants. It is they that settle on the surface of the fabric and thus create a protective film that prevents dirt from penetrating into the fibers of the material. After that, stains, if they appear, will be easier to wash off. Rinse aids often contain silicone. These components make the fabric tender and soft, pleasant to touch. Pills rarely appear on the processed product, and it wears out less. Colors do not fade.

But not all things should be washed with this product. For example, stains may remain on silk, and shapewear may lose elasticity.

Advice

It is better to wash outerwear without conditioner, so as not to lose its water-repellent properties.

Rinse aid makes the surface of things smoother, so that the iron glides over it easily. Therefore, it is enough to simply smooth it out perfectly without any folds or creases.Many air conditioners have an antistatic effect. This is a particularly important property for synthetic fabrics, which are easily electrified. This is clearly noticeable in winter, when the air is dry due to heating.

Another answer to the question of why such a product is needed is the aromatization of laundry during washing. Manufacturers offer a large selection of scents, from fresh to sweet floral. This may not always be an advantage, since many people cannot tolerate such fragrances. In this case, the best choice is a product without any fragrance. This can be a baby mouthwash, they are usually hypoallergenic and odorless.

How to use it correctly?

Fabric softeners should be used correctly so that all their properties are fully realized. To do this, you need to study the instructions and use the appropriate amount of product for washing. It can vary significantly depending on whether the product is concentrated or not. If you take less of it, then the film will not be able to form, which means there will be no effect. If you overdo it, you will hardly be able to rinse completely; the fabric will become unpleasant to the touch. Where to fill the air conditioner in the washing machine? For this purpose, modern machines have a special compartment, different from where we put the powder. If you plan to hand wash, simply add rinse aid to the water during the final rinse.

When choosing a detergent, you can choose a universal one or one designed for specific fabrics. For example, there are rinses for woolen products; they make things especially soft and fluffy, and help them maintain their shape.There are fabric softeners that will enhance your whiteness, some even contain starch to keep your shirt collar looking neat.

What to look for when choosing?

Despite their positive qualities, fabric softeners may contain components that are hazardous to health. Therefore, it is advisable to study the composition before purchasing. In small concentrations, these elements do not affect humans, but it is still worth paying attention to their presence and using the product carefully.

• A-terpineol. Gives the product a lilac aroma. Can suppress the functioning of the nervous system and brain, causing depression.
• Benzyl alcohol leads to dizziness and nausea. Used to make the product smell like jasmine.
• Ethanol leads to brain dysfunction and visual impairment.
• Chloroform also depresses the nervous system.
• Linalool. It makes the air conditioner smell like lily of the valley. Causes disturbances in muscle coordination and sometimes provokes cancer of the reproductive organs.

Of course, these side effects can be scary. But you don’t have to rush to give up rinse aids during the washing process. The main thing is to use according to the instructions, avoiding overdose. In small quantities, these components have no effect on the body. Or you can buy a children's conditioner; it contains practically no harmful substances. And if you want to soften, protect and scent the fabric, but don’t want to use chemicals, then you can try making the product yourself. For example, simply adding two tablespoons of vinegar to the washing machine compartment. Then add a little essential oil to provide a light aroma.

Fabric softeners can help maintain and even improve the quality of clothes after washing if you choose the right product. Which rinse aid is the best and whether it is needed at all, each housewife determines for herself. Most of these products are similar in their action and composition, especially if they are in the same price category. So you have to focus on your own preferences, the capabilities of your wallet and the presence or absence of the need to wash children's clothes.