7 Best Fabric Softener Consumer Ratings & Reports 2023

I always wondered why my clothes are not as sparkling, fluffy, and smooth as my collogues.

I thought maybe it is because I am a little cheap on detergents. I purchased the most expensive detergents but nothing happened.

And then it was revealed that it’s the fabric softener that makes your clothes soft, fluffy, and easy to iron.

I had never used one before. I did not want it to be revealed to my collogues that I don’t use fabric softener.

I Googled it, and this is where my journey of buying fabric softener started.

That Takes me to read through hundreds of web pages and thousands of customer reviews.

I decided to pen down this journey and help those like me get their clothes fluffy, soft, and smooth for easy ironing.

So, don’t take it any other post. It’s a hand-down experience, a journey.

In this post, I am going to review the best fabric softeners according to consumer ratings and reports 2023. So without further ado, let’s get started.

QUICK PICKS

Here are the top-rated products we picked out that you would be interested in depending on your budget…

Best Fabric Softener Consumer Ratings & Reports

I have compiled a list of the 7 best fabric softeners based on consumer ratings and reports 2023.

1. Mrs. Meyer’s Liquid Fabric Softener

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Do you like fresh plants and flowers small in comparison to chemical scents smell? If yes, then go with Mrs. Meyer’s designed fabric softener.

This softener not only softens your expensive clothes and prevents them from getting stretched due to static and positive ions but fills your home with the garden smell.

Its scent is extracted from plant sources, cotton extracts, and many other essential oils.

With this softener, you get rid of the same old chemical smell and add a breath of fresh air to your home and clothes.

It does not come mixed with harsh or harmful chemicals such as Parabens.

That means, that if you are hypoallergenic or have sensitive skin, this scent would not trigger your allergy.

An excellent alternative to chemically designed fabric softener for people with sensitive skin.

Mrs. Meyer’s fabric softener also includes many essential oils. These oils make your clothes as fluffy and smooth as you want, and also prevent them from friction or creating static cling.

Plus, one bottle goes a long way with you. One bottle goes with around 30 plus a load of laundry.

It is among one of the most affordable fabric softeners and helps you gently soften your clothes without leaving the harsh chemical scent.

So, in total if you don’t like harsh chemical extracted fabric softener, this is a great alternative.

It adds a fresh breath of air to your home and your clothes and makes you smell as fresh as flowers and plants.

2. Seventh Generation Fabric Softener

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If You have sensitive skin, a sensitive nose, and even the mildest of perfume causes you nausea, you need something free from fragrance or scent, like Seventh Generation designed fabric softener.

This softener is a great to-go option for those with a sensitive nose, or hypoallergenic people.

Keep in mind, that this product is made not using any animal-derived product.

If you don’t like consumable things to be made of animal-derived products, go with this option.

You can call this fabric softener a completely vegan product. It is good for those as well don’t like artificial dyes, fluoride, and other chemical additives.

It got essential oils mixed in it to reduce the static cling. Plus, your clothes would not have any stretches or cling. It makes them as smooth, and easy to iron as you see your colleagues.

I find this solution very affordable as well. One bottle goes a long way with you. With just one bottle you can wash around 42 loads of laundry.

It is a septic-safe and environmentally friendly fabric softener. If you like little scents in your clothes, there are mild scents and fragrance options to av available like vanilla and lavender.

It is one of the safest formulas to help you have fluffiest and static-free clothes.

3. Suavitel Fabric Softener

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If you are interested in buying one of the best fragrance fabric softeners, that has all the nuts and bolts of a premium fabric softener go with Suavitel designed Fabric softener.

As the name suggests this softener will awaken you with fresh morning sun each morning.

I found this softener incredible at softening cloths. The softness, smoothness, and fluffiness I experienced with this softener are overwhelming.

Plus, it is a HE-compatible softener, if you got a premium quality washing machine that only uses a specific fabric softener.

The most amazing aspect of this softener is its freshness and fragrance for over 45-days.

You wash your clothes with this softener once, and the fragrance lasts for over 45-days, isn’t it amazing?

Moreover, if you don’t like liquid softeners or looking for a bedding solution in dryer sheets, it got a dryer sheet option in the same fragrance.

Yes, you get all the benefits of a softener in a dryer sheet with the same fragrance.

The bottle of this softener shares 120-ounce fluid. With one bottle it easily helps you wash up to 102-loads of laundry.

So, without spending high, get a light and fresh fragrance solution for your bedding and clothes.

It’s not just the fragrance this softener is good known it. It mixes essential oils in it to prevent your clothes from stretching during the rinsing and washing process in the washing machine.

During ironing, you can feel the difference, you will experience a new scale of fluffiness in your clothes.

4. Snuggle Blue Sparkle Liquid Fabric Softener

Snuggle is one of the top names that has produced huge arrays of laundering products.

The brand has always come up with a unique and comforting solution to make people’s lives easier and more comfortable.

Snuggle is actually a bear that falls asleep in super-soft sheets. And the softener designed by the snuggle brand makes the things as soft and snuggle as you can imagine.

This fabric softener is one of the highest-rated products and produces a long-lasting smell that stays in your clothes for over weeks.

It is actually a formula that comes into existence with a white floral and bright green citrus notes blend.

The blend then mixes up to warm woody notes and soft musk for comforting and long-lasting freshness that you and your family will love.

One more thing, don’t take any other fabric softener. It is different and more affordable than others.

Take an example of its volume. The volume might look the same as others but it can handle up to 200-loads of laundry.

It is two times concentrated formula. That’s why manufacturers recommend using its dilution with water.

With this unique formula you are ensured with fresh and long-lasting fragrance plus, rescue wrinkles, and reduce static cling to your bedding as well as clothes.

Again, it provides two times more fragrance, freshness, and softness, so use half of what you use for others.

The formula is great for the standard machine as well as the HE washing machine.

Plus, if you don’t like the product for no reason, you can send it back within 30-days, and get your full money refunded.

5. Downy Ultra Laundry Fabric Softener

Who does not like the fresh smell from your bed and clothes? If you too are like me, and for you too, the fragrance of the softener is more important than anything, go with Downy Ultra Laundry Fabric softener.

With this Fabric softener, I am sure if you rinse your clothes using Downy Ultra Laundry fabric softener, you would not be able to come out of your bed.

Not only the fragrance this product provides, but it also prevents stretching, f adding, and appearance of your bedding as well as clothes.

This softener conditions your clothes and bedding while protecting them from the washing machine and its effects.

Just one cupful of this highly concentrated solution can help reduce static and wrinkles in your clothing and bedding.

More importantly, this biodegradable formula also increases product flammability. If you use more than recommended you get the more effect of it.

This softener is compatible with standard as well as HE washing machines. You can use this softener with your favorite detergent, it has no effect on mixing with your detergents.

This product comes in packs of two. Yes, it is an affordable solution. You would not have to worry about your laundry items, the pack can easily handle around 120 loads of laundry.

The most important aspect they all is if you don’t like the performance of this softener for no reason. You have a 30-days free warranty, you can send It back and get your money fully refunded.

6. Downy Fabric Softener Dispenser Ball

If you are interested in buying a dispenser ball instead of a regular fabric softener, a Downy designed Fabric softener dispenser ball is a go-to option.

These dispenser balls in comparison to waster softeners are very affordable, as well as environmentally friendly.

You don’t have to do anything just throw these dispenser balls into the washing machine and get these dispenser balls to do their tasks.

These are great options for those who live a very busy life. During the rinsing and washing cycles, these dispenser balls work automatically and offer a positive effect on your laundry.

They make your cloth as soft and fluffy as a regular chemical-induced Fabric softener.

Yes, the biggest issue with using a dispenser ball is you can’t use them with HE machines.

This can only be used with non-HE machines, if you want to get the most efficiency with this washing machine then use traditional non-HE machines.

One more thing, its moisturizing and softening properties are impeccable.

It softens your clothes and bedding and makes them fluffy and smooth good for ironing.

Plus, you don’t have to fill this product in the washing machine dispenser before washing.

It stays in the washing machine and automatically drains at the right time it feels during the laundry process.

In total, this fabric softener ball is an extremely useful, environmentally friendly, and affordable alternative to regular fabric softeners.

7. Friendsheep Wool Dryer Balls

Friendsheep is another top brand in the laundering business, with top-selling products on its chest.

If you prefer buying non-regular fabric softener options like softener balls, don’t overlook this option.

It is a classic softener option, that prevents your clothes from stretching and other damages.

It is an environmentally friendly option; no harsh chemical is used in the making.

For those with sensitive noses and skin, or for babies’ clothes rinsing and drying, this is the best option to get hands-on. It is a great solution for color-fading too.

Yes, with this softener rinsing balls, you would not have to wash colored and non-colored clothes separately.

Just let this ball into your washing machine, and put the laundry loads without any worry about color-fading.

With these rinsing balls, the drying time is decreased up to 40-percent.

Yes, they decrease your drying time and let you have your smooth, fluffy clothes come out of the drier faster than before.

These softener balls not only leave your laundry soft without harm but they are useable too.

The affordable option can be used after 1000-loads, you can reuse them without any trouble.

In a nutshell, if you want the right blend of affordability, reusability, and environmentally friendly softener option, this is the right option to get hands on.

Fabric Softener Buying Guide

Fabric softeners make your clothes soft and remove the static or rigidness caused due to rubbing and rinsing.

They help clothes get their right form, and make you enjoy a softer and fluffy feel. But not all fabric softeners are designed equal.

This is where you should spend time deciding the one that suits you the most.

This section is designed to help you narrow down your option after weighing in on these factors or features.

The right Type

Fabric softeners traditionally come in two forms; liquid and sheets. But today we are welcomed with more than one type and option including dry balls.

There are many combinations liquid detergent and conditioner products.

Let’s learn about the three most used and commonly known forms to help decide the right type first.

1. Liquid Form

The liquid form is the most effective and commonly used form of fabric softener.

It comes in form of liquid and is often poured into the washing machine at the final stage before rinsing.

The softener softens the fabric fibers and makes your clothes less stretchy and feel softer to keep them reducing static, fading, and accumulating fuzz.

Fabric softeners are made of silicone oil. When you directly pour it into your washing machine on clothes, it can stain your clothes.

So, dilute it first in the water, or most of the machine comes with a compartment for fabric softener to dilute it first and then mix it into the machine gradually.

2. Dry Sheets

If you want a more economical option than liquid softener, go with dryer sheets. They are more affordable and environmentally friendly.

Dryers’ sheets are woven sheets coated with stearic acid and ascents and many other chemicals.

When you put these dryer sheets in your washing machine the film or coating of these dryer sheets mixes with the clothes and makes them less stretchy and fluffy.

The most important difference between the liquid softener and dryer sheets is stains. The dryer sheets don’t leave stains on your clothes.

But the film expelled by the dryer sheets often blocks the lint collector often, making you clear the lint collector before the next cycle.

4. Dryer Balls

If you are looking for more environmentally friendly fabric softeners, go with dryer balls.

They don’t come mixed with harsh chemicals and come in various sizes and shapes. The added benefit of using them is, that they cut the drying time.

They constantly agitate against the fibers in the clothes and linens and speed up the drying process.

The only negative point of buying them is they don’t come with fragrance.

This deficiency can be filled with some essential oils mixed during the rinsing process.

Machine Compatibility

Check if your formula or product is HE compatible. If you have a HE machine, then most of the liquid formulas might not work well with your machine.

Because HE machines only are compatible with specific formulas or brands. So, whatever formula you are buying check if it is HE compatible or not.

Fragrance

Fabric softeners come with fragrances. But maybe the fragrance does not go well with you.

If you are hypoallergenic, then harsh chemical scents smell can trigger your allergy.

In that case, you should go with a formula that has natural flows of plants extracted fragrance mixed into the formula.

Even if you are not hypoallergenic, it is always important to check the type of smell the fabric softener contains. Because in fabric softeners fragrance matters the most.

Static reduction

Although fabric softeners are designed to reduce static reduction, some may not have the efficiency.

So, always have a close eye on a fabric softener formula and check if it reduces the static reduction.

With the static reduction, your clothes will have a softer, and smoother feeling just like the way you want.

Color-Safe

Some fabric softeners can leave a stain or spot if added to the machine directly. If that’s your formula, don’t forget to dilute it in water before mixing.

Many modern machines come with a separate fabric softener compartment that mixes the formula gradually as needed.

Final Verdict

Fabric softeners are truly a lifesaver. Many use them for the fact of knowing their benefits, and many for the sake of using them.

The reality is, that a good fabric softener makes your clothes as fluffy, sparkling, smooth, and easy to iron as you feel proud of using them.

I was one of them who never used them before, but now I can’t imagine washing clothes without using my favorite one. I love fresh fragrance; it makes me feel positive.

In this long guide, we have reviewed some of the best fabric softeners.

We also helped you to pick a good as per your needs and mentioned the features that make them stand out.

We can hope that this guide will help you pick a great fabric softener.

FAQ

When to Add Fabric Softener?

It depends on the type of softener you are using. If you have a liquid fabric softener, and it is supported by an HE machine, you can add the softener to the dispenser or fabric softener compartment.

If it is a highly concentrated fabric softener, don’t forget to dilute it with water, because some highly concentrated fabric softeners can leave stains on the clothes.

The same goes with the other softener too a kind of sheet or ball fabric softener.

What does fabric softener do?

Fabric softeners are fabric conditioners. They form a coating or a film layer on the fibers to make them feel smoother, fluffier, and easy to iron.

Well, some detergents may have conditioning properties, like they soften your clothes and rinse them off too.

But, fabric softeners are designed to make your clothes fluffy and smooth, they don’t have detergents or cleaning agents to remove stains.

Fabric softeners come in mostly two forms; liquid and dry sheets. But now there are multiple types of forms available for different use and benefits.

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Jonathan Perry

With a deep passion for innovation and a keen eye for cutting-edge devices, Jonathan has become a trusted authority in the realm of gadget reviews. From smartphones to smart home devices, wearables to gaming accessories, Jonathan’s expertise spans across a wide range of gadget categories. Read Full Bio

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