"Fabric softener works by coating fibers, which makes fabrics feel smoother and reduces friction - the thing that causes wrinkles and static. The downside is that the coating can also trap residue over time, affect absorbency, and irritate sensitive skin. That's where fabric softener alternatives come in. I wanted to see which pro-recommended methods actually worked, so I tested seven popular fabric softener alternatives to find out which ones worked best."
"They required zero extra steps, worked with any detergent, and left my laundry soft, low-static, and relatively wrinkle-free. To keep things as consistent as possible, I tested each method using a different cotton pillowcase pulled from my linen closet. While the pillowcases varied slightly in age and size, all were 100% cotton and had previously been washed in my home using my usual dye-free, scent-free detergent pods."
Fabric softener coats fibers to reduce friction, making fabrics smoother, less wrinkled, and less static, but the coating can trap residue, reduce absorbency, and irritate sensitive skin. Seven popular fabric softener alternatives were evaluated for effectiveness. Baking soda and vinegar delivered solid results, while wool dryer balls proved the easiest and most consistent alternative, requiring no extra steps and working with any detergent to leave laundry soft, low-static, and relatively wrinkle-free. Tests used different 100% cotton pillowcases per method, photographed before and after, with evaluations of wrinkles, static, softness, and overall feel.
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