Fabric Softener Vs Conditioner Vs Dryer Sheets Vs Detergent

Our clothes are made of fabrics. Taking proper care of the fabrics ensures quality clothes for a long time.

There are different types of products that help to care for your clothes. They have different features to bring different results. Some of them are fabric softeners, fabric conditioners, dryer sheets, and detergents.

Fabric softeners and conditioners work equally and bring the same results. Dryer sheets have some limitations but also help to enhance the smoothness of the clothes softeners. Detergent is a cleaning agent, that makes sure your clothes are clean by removing stubborn dirt and oil properties.

In this article, we will dive into fabric cleaning and softening products. And at last, you will have a clear view of fabric softener vs. fabric conditioner vs. dryer sheets vs. detergent.

What Is the Difference between Fabric Softener, Fabric Conditioner, Dryer Sheets, and Laundry Detergent?

Fabric softeners, fabric conditioners, dryer sheets, and laundry detergent are common ingredients that people use for the purpose of laundry cleaning.

People often get confused about these products and interchange them. But these products have some basic differences. Let’s see the difference between these products.

Fabric Softener:

Fabric softener is one type of ingredient that softens the fabric and provides a scent to it. This product is used while running a washing cycle in the washing machine.

Generally, the product is used along with detergent, but the compartments are separate for detergent and fabric softener.

Fabric Conditioner:

Fabric conditioner performs similar purposes to fabric softener. Fabric conditioner also makes the fabrics soft and scented.

While running a laundry cycle, this conditioner prevents friction between fabrics and keeps them in their original shape.

Dryer Sheets:

Dryer sheets are thin layers of polyester sheets. Sometimes, these sheets are made with cellulose fibers. Though these sheets have similar properties to fabric softeners, these are not used with detergent.

Dryer sheets are used during the drying cycle. During the drying cycle, the sheets release their ingredients into the clothes.

Laundry Detergent:

Laundry detergent can be of different forms like powder, liquid, etc. Generally, laundry detergent removes dirt, dust, grease, oil, residue, and other excess things from the fabrics.

Moreover, it removes sweat, food particles, and difficult stains from the clothes.

What Is Fabric Softener?

You know that applying conditioner after shampoo makes your hair soft, shiny, flexible, and bouncy. Fabric softener mostly works like conditioner.

This fabric care product is specially formulated to make your clothes smooth, and comfortable and help to smell fresh for a long time. It is used in the laundry during the rinse cycle.

Generally, there are different types of fabric softeners available in the market. Among them, the liquid form is very popular because of its effectiveness and easy-to-use features. It helps to demolish the harshness of the clothes faster.

What Does Fabric Softener Do?

The lubricating chemical elements of fabric softener helps soften your fabric fibers. It helps to coat your wet fibers. It reduces the friction between fabric elements.

As a result, the static cling will reduce that protect your clothes from getting torn quickly.

Its anti-friction properties are undoubtedly a good factor for those who have really very rough skin.

Not only that, but also its softening elements protects your clothes from pilling, bobbling, color fading, wrinkling, and stretching. Protecting against all these, it will make your clothes last longer.

The fragrance is another plus point of this. During the rinse cycle of wash, its fragrance spread throughout the fabric that smells good.

Does Fabric Softener Clean Clothes?

No, fabric softener is not a cleanser product to clean your clothes. It won’t remove dirt, stubborn stains, and germs from your clothes; it will just keep your clothes softer and smell fresh and extend your clothing lifespan.

This softener is an optional after-care product. So, make sure to use good quality detergent to clean your clothes.

Consider using it during the rinse cycle of the washing machine. Don’t add fabric softener at the same time when adding detergent.

When to Use Fabric Softener?

There are certain situations for using fabric softener to get the best result. Generally, you can use fabric softener for increasing softness and adding a nice smell to your clothes.

However, it is wise to use softener for particular clothing. Here are some tips.

Clothing made from cotton or other natural fibers:

Use fabric softener on cotton or other natural fibers made clothing to keep them soft and sweet-smelling. Check your garment’s washing instruction labels to avoid any damage.

Towels made from cotton:

Use fabric softener to keep your cotton towels fluffy rather than rough. But don’t use it every time you wash, use it occasionally.

Bed sheets:

Add a little fabric softener when washing your favorite bed sheets to keep them soft, crisp, and aromatic.

Fabrics with bobbling:

When you wash your clothes, friction occurs on the fibers of your clothing surface. As a result, they clump together to form loose fabric balls over time. Use fabric softener to prevent these bobbles by strengthening the fibers.

When Not to Use Fabric Softener?

Fabric softener is prohibited in several situations. Oils and conditioners of fabric softener latch to the fibers of towels.

It’s slowly reducing their water absorption capacity. So, don’t use fabric softener on these types of towels. The use of fabric softeners in such fabrics will reduce their overall performance.

The good wicking property for which athletic wear or sweat-proof fabrics is so popular; fabric softener will reduce its wicking performance. Softeners should not be used on flame-resistant clothes. It will decrease this effectiveness.

Children’s skin is super sensitive. The ingredients found in softeners may harmful to them. So, it’s better not to use it in baby clothes, especially pajamas.

Pros and Cons of Fabric Softener

Everything has pros and cons; there is nothing that is 100% perfect. Let’s take a look at fabric softener’s pros and cons.

Pros:

• Makes clothes long-lasting.
• Makes clothes soft.
• Keeps fabrics wrinkle-free.
• Retains the color and shine of clothes.
• Reduces friction between fibers during the wash.
• Reduces fabric surface resistance.
• Prevents the tendency to shrink.
• Speeds up water evaporation which helps clothes dry faster.
• Removes bad smells and adds a fresh fragrance.
• Makes ironing easier.

Cons:

• Not suitable for all types of fabrics.
• Can reduce the water-absorption capacity of some towels.
• Chemical preservatives and dyes can irritate sensitive skin.
• Artificial fragrances may cause health risks to some users.

What Is Fabric Conditioner?

Fabric conditioner is a laundry product that is mostly available in liquid form and makes clothes magically smooth, softer, and long-lasting.

Apart from this, this will help your clothes retain their shape, and add protection against color fading and bubbling. Some of the fabric softeners will add an amazing fragrance to your clothes.

During the laundry process, the fabric conditioner penetrates deep into the fibers, decreases friction, and provides your clothes with powerful protection while detergent removes all dirt and grime.

It works well not only in the washing machine but also in hand-washed clothes. Don’t forget to check the packaging instructions and care label to apply properly without any damage.

Is Fabric Conditioner the Same as Fabric Softener?

Fabric conditioner and fabric softener are almost the same products, just known by different names. Their ingredients, qualities, functionality, and field of use are all the same.

The only slight difference you can find is their fragrance. Also, keep in mind that some of the fabric conditioners come with some extra features (made by different manufacturers) but they can be also available in fabric softeners.

There are many similar things are known by different names in different countries. Let me give you a simple example.

Walkers is a popular snack food in the United Kingdom. But the same product is called Lay’s in the United States. They are the same chips except for the names and flavors differences.

Likewise, millions of consumers in the United States know this laundry additive as a fabric softener.

The same product in the United Kingdom is known as a fabric conditioner. So, both are the same things except for their names and fragrances.

Is Fabric Conditioner the Same as Laundry Detergent?

No, fabric conditioner and laundry detergent are not the same products. Fabric conditioner is a softening product used to keep your clothes smoother, comfortable, and smelling fresh.

On the other hand, laundry detergent is a super cleaning agent that removes your everyday dust, stubborn stains, sweat odors, and more. Laundry detergent is not responsible to make your clothes soft. It works only to clean and helps to bring back the lost beauty.

Fabric conditioner can be used after using detergent. It adds more quality to the recently cleaned clothes. It enhances the smoothness of the fabric and allows the fabric to last longer with shiny beauty.

Can You Use Fabric Conditioner as Detergent?

Detergent is a chemical stuff used to clean clothes and dishes. On contrary, fabric conditioner is not any cleansing product; it helps to soften the clothes.

So, the definition implies that you can’t use fabric conditioners as detergents. They have different chemical structures and they are used to attain different results. Detergent is used while cleaning clothes and conditioner is used after cleaning them.

Is Fabric Softener the Same as Detergent?

No, fabric softener and detergent are neither the same product nor an alternative to each other. Fabric softener is only used to add fragrance and make your clothes softer.

It doesn’t have the power to remove dirt, stains, and sweat from your clothes. In short, it doesn’t contain any ingredients to clean clothes except to keep clothes smooth.

On the other hand, detergent is specially formulated to keep clothes clean. Chemicals like alkalies and sulfates in it remove dirt and stains from clothes.

It also contains enzymes that break down dirt bonds. Apart from cleaning, it also helps to retain the color of fabric for a long time.

What Is Laundry Detergent?

In short, laundry detergent is a type of cleanser resulted from bar shops made with animal fat and lye which are available in powder and liquid form. It has two options.

Natural detergents are made from plants and synthetic detergents are usually petroleum-based. This cleaning agent is super effective in removing dirt and grime, and stubborn stains from clothes.

Each manufacturer or different brand has different secret ingredients or formulas to produce it. Generally, the cleaning power of a detergent varies depending on how and what amount of the ingredients are combined.

Laundry detergent has gained wide popularity over time because it’s easy to use in the washing machine and can be metered automatically into it without any hassle.

However, you can also make your own laundry detergent at home which is an easier way that will take some time and effort but definitely save money.

What Does Laundry Detergent Do?

Simply put, just like shampoo removes dust, dirt, and oil from your hair and keeps your hair follicles clean; laundry detergent removes all kinds of dirt and grime, stains, and odors from your clothes.

Every day your clothes can pick up a lot of dust, dirt, food particles, hair, skin cells, sweat, and more. The detergent penetrates well into the fabric fibers to remove all these messes and others nasties.

This powerful cleanser not only cleans clothes but also does many other good things. It is used for removing stains from upholstery and wall, cleaning floors, bathrooms, and oven racks, washing the car, and unclogging the drain.

When to Use Detergent?

You definitely don’t want to use detergent all the time. So, one should have an idea about when to use it. Let’s find out.

If your clothes are too dirty, they can cause permanent stains over time if not removed. So, it’s better to use laundry detergent to remove this dirt.

The ideal solution for grease or oil-stained clothes is laundry detergent. It helps to release and break down stubborn stains from deep within the fabric. Consider using liquid detergent in this case.

If your clothes are smelly like smoke from sweat or other reasons, use laundry detergent to remove them.

When Not to Use Detergent?

In several situations, detergent should not be used. Here are some tips on this.

Lightly Stained Clothes:

The use of laundry detergent on lightly stained and light clothes may have negative effects. Use gentle soap to clean them.

Delicate Fabrics:

Detergent should never be used for some delicate fabrics such as wool and silk. This can slowly break down its fibers. Wash them in cold water using a mild soap.

Dark Color Clothes:

Using laundry detergent on dark-colored fabrics will look dull over time. Try to avoid using it in dark colors.

Pros and Cons of Detergent

Detergent is one of the most used cleaning products throughout the world. It provides a lot of benefits. But it has some drawbacks also.

However, you might often be confused about whether you should use the alternative of detergent or not.

You should compare the pros and cons to be sure about using detergent. So, let’s see some pros and cons of detergent.

Pros:

• Removes difficult stains.
• It is affordable.
• Enhances clothes’ life.
• Removes insoluble salts from the clothes.
• Doesn’t affect the skin much.
• Usable in different types of water.

Cons:

• Not environment friendly.
• Pollute water and soil.
• Alkali in the detergent can affect the fabric.
• Removing foam is difficult, so more water is needed.
• Low-quality detergent fades away the fabric.

What Is Dryer Sheets?

A dryer sheet is a very thin piece of fabric. This thin layer works as a fabric softener or conditioner.

Generally, the dryer sheet contains liquid softeners and lubricants. The thin layer is mainly a layer of cellulose fibers or polyester. It also contains fragrance.

People use dryer sheets in their dryers with a load of laundry. The ingredients in these sheets make the fabrics or clothes soft and fragrant.

The freshness of clothes will enhance with the use of these sheets. Moreover, liquid softener preserves the softness and quality of fabrics.

What Do Dryer Sheets Do?

Dryer sheets perform some excellent tasks. For example, these sheets act as a softener. They hold the softness of your clothes and prevent stains. They also make clothes easy to iron.

Moreover, dryer sheets create protection against the static electricity of the dryer. You might know that static electricity in the dryer is not safe. So, dryer sheets are important to use on the dryer.

Besides, these sheets will release fragrance during the drying cycle. This will provide freshness and an amazing scent to the clothes.

People also use dryer sheets for other purposes, like they keep these sheets on drawers, luggage, and other bags. These sheets keep the closed area fresh where you keep clothes.

When to Use Dryer Sheets?

Using dryer sheets gives pretty good results in many cases. Here are some tips about under what conditions it works best or should be used.

Dryer sheets almost work the same as fabric conditioners but in a different method. It softens the cloth by applying a very thin layer on the fabric.

Also, be careful that it will not work efficiently in the washing cycle but it works well in the drying cycle.

A dryer sheet is not good for synthetic fabric. You should use dryer sheets for clothes made with natural fibers such as cotton shirts, socks, and pants.

When Not to Use Dryer Sheets?

Using dryer sheets in some cases is not a wise decision at all. Let’s find out when not to use it.

Cotton and microfiber towels:

As we mentioned earlier, dryer sheets act like softeners. It can reduce the water-absorbent capacity of towels over time. So, dryer sheets should not be used on towels.

Athletic wear:

The ingredients of dryer sheets lessen the wicking capacity of athletic wear. Alongside this, it can also reduce stain absorption ability. It’s better to avoid using it in such clothes.

Water-repellent fabrics:

Dryer sheets can also reduce the water-repellent properties of some fabrics. So, keep this feature available, you shouldn’t use it on certain fabrics.

Flame-resistant fabrics:

Pajamas, nightgowns, and especially baby sleepwear should be flame-resistant. The use of dryer sheets in such garments can affect their flame-resistant ability which can cause damage rather than a safety cover.

Pros and Cons of Dryer Sheets

There are both pros and cons to using dryer sheets. Let’s know some basic pros and potential cons of them.

Pros:

• Keeps clothes softer and adds fresh aromas.
• Keeps your clothes safe from wrinkles.
• Ensures resistance to future stains.
• Keeps clothes lint-free.
• Comes with user-friendly features.
• Makes ironing easy.

Cons:

• Not ideal for all fabrics.
• Reduce water absorbency ability.
• Affects the fast-drying ability of clothes.
• Causes irritation on sensitive skin.

Comparing Fabric Softener Vs Dryer Sheets Vs Fabric Conditioner Vs Laundry Detergent

Fabric softeners and fabric conditioners work in the same way and for the same result but they have different names in different areas.

Fabric softener is a popular name in the USA and conditioner is widely used in the UK. They both come with the same chemical ingredients and construction. Both of them soften the fabrics.

Dryer sheets also help to soften the clothes but you need to use them in the drying cycle. So, fabric conditioner or softener is used in the washing cycle but a dryer sheet is used in the drying cycle.

And laundry detergent is entirely a new item than others. It is used to clean your clothes with the help of anionic surfactants. Generally, it can’t be used independently. Mixing it with water and then using it on the fabric helps to remove oil and dirt.

We have tried to compare all of these fabric softening and cleaning items below. Let’s check them out.

Fabric Softener Vs Conditioner

Generally, there is no significant difference between fabric softeners and fabric conditioners. Both of them are made of the same ingredients. So, their functions are also the same.

People in the United States (US) prefer to call it fabric softener. While in the United Kingdom, it is well-known as a fabric conditioner.

As the name implies, fabric softener is supposed to soothe the fabric and revive its freshness. Hence, it reduces the friction between the cloth surfaces while washing them.

Similarly, fabric conditioner is supposed to do more than that. It’s meant to protect the fabric from color fading, bobbling, and stretching, besides keeping it soft and fresh.

However, you can call it softener or conditioner; it’s the same thing with different names. It is a trendy washing element.

It maintains the original shape of the cloth and reduces the risk of color fading and bobbling. It often comes with a flavored smell that gives you a vibe of freshness.

But you should be careful about using it on towels. It can damage the towels gradually if used frequently. Experts recommend using it after a certain time, not frequently.

Fabric Softener Vs Laundry Detergent

Sometimes, people don’t understand the different purposes of fabric softener and laundry detergent. Both of them have different roles to play in your clothes. Let’s see how their functions differ from each other.

Definition

Fabric softeners contain elements that soften the fabric and lubricate the surface for the process of washing.

On the other hand, laundry detergent removes all kinds of dirty materials from the clothes, such as sweat, oil, soil, and others.

Working Procedure

Fabric softeners lubricate and soften the fibers in the fabric. It contains chemical elements which are cationic (positively charged ions). They cause the threads to loosen up because of electromagnetic induction.

On the contrary, laundry detergent has long molecules containing a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. These surfactant molecules work to remove dirt.

For example, the head gets attracted to the water molecule, and the tail is attached to dirt, dust, grease, oil, etc. Thus, detergent cleans the fabric.

Purpose

The primary purpose of fabric softener is to keep the fabrics soft and fresh. Contrarily, the primary purpose of detergent is to remove dirt, grease, dust, and other residues.

Fabric Softener Vs Dryer Sheets

People often need clarification on different laundry cleaning ingredients. For example, fabric softener and dryer sheets are two different things. There are also some fundamental differences between these two.

Function

The primary function of fabric softener is to lubricate the fabrics and keep them in shape. Moreover, it provides a fresh and refreshing scent to the fabrics.

On the other hand, a dryer sheet is an alternative to fabric softener. Dryer sheets release refreshing ingredients while you run a drying cycle.

Running Cycle

You should use fabric softener while you are running a washing cycle in the washing machine. But you must not use dryer sheets in the washing cycle. Dryer sheets are supposed to use on the dryer.

Usable Materials

Though the purposes of fabric softener and dryer sheets are similar, you can use them for different materials.

For example, fabric softeners should not be used on microfiber clothes, towels, sportswear, etc. Fabric softeners will weaken these materials.

But you can use dryer sheets as an alternative to fabric softeners. You can use dryer sheets with microfiber materials, sportswear, and towels. You should use the dryer sheets during the drying cycle.

Final Words

To keep your clothes neat and clean with original beauty, you will need to take care of them. No doubt, you use your fabric carefully but some ingredients are essential with your care to get the best from the fabric.

This guide should help you to understand what are laundry detergent, fabric conditioner, fabric softener, and dryer sheets.

Moreover, you now know when to use them for the best results. So, you are now completely ready to take proper care of your clothes and enjoy them mostly.