Can fabric softener replace laundry detergent?

Quick answer: no. Fabric softener is for softening and adding scent after clothes are clean. It doesn’t remove dirt and sweat like detergent does. If you use softener alone, clothes may smell nice at first but stay dirty and start to smell again quickly. To save a step, use a 2-in-1 detergent.

How the three differ

	Detergent	Fabric softener	2-in-1 detergent
Removes dirt	Yes	No	Yes
Softens fabric	A little	Yes	Yes
Leaves scent	Depends	Yes	Yes
Used in	Main wash	Final rinse	Main wash

Why softener shouldn’t replace detergent

• It doesn’t clean: dirt, grease and sweat stay on the fabric.
• Smells return quickly: fragrance masks odours at first, but clothes aren’t clean, so they smell when worn.
• Residue builds up: using lots of softener all the time can leave a coating on fabric and in the machine.

Should you skip softener altogether?

You don’t have to use it. Fabric softener is an extra step that:

• Makes clothes softer and easier to iron.
• Helps scent last longer after drying.
• Some types add benefits such as helping protect against mildew when drying indoors. For example, SPY 5-in-1 Fabric Softener has scent beads, softens fabric and helps protect against mildew.

If you’d rather not buy two products, choose a 2-in-1 detergent such as SPY Ultra Clean Plus, which washes and softens in one step.

When to add fabric softener

• Washing bedding, towels or knitwear you want softer.
• Humid weather, when clothes dry slowly indoors. See: Clothes smell musty after drying indoors
• You like a stronger scent than a 2-in-1 detergent gives.

A note on towels

Fabric softener leaves a thin coating on fibres, so towels may absorb water less well if you use it every time. For towels, use a little or only occasionally.

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Read more: How to use fabric softener in top- and front-loading machines