Can You Use Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener at the Same Time?

Your clothes create an impression of you. It is, therefore, very important to ensure that they are properly washed and kept neat.

But sometimes, they may get wrinkles and shrinks. That will throw you in a sea of thoughts.

If you are considering having fabric softeners to solve your problem, this article is for you.

So, Can You Use Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener at the Same Time?

No. owing to their different chemical composition, laundry detergents and fabric softener should not be used at the same time. The best you can do is to put laundry detergent in a different compartment and fabric softener o the other. Also, it is important to ensure that they are released at different times to avoid possible interactions between the two chemicals. A combination can harm your clothes as well as the laundry machine. Your health is also put at grave risk.

Keep reading this article to understand why you should not use laundry detergent and fabric softener at the same time.

We have also added other tips on how you can use these detergents differently to achieve optimum and quality laundry work.

What Does Laundry Detergent Do?

With endless commitments that we face every day, our clothes collect a lot of dirt.

These could be food particles, sweat, skin cells, and specks of dust particles straying in the air.

Depending on the type of work, our clothes can accumulate a massive amount of dirt.

Well, it means a thorough cleaning agent should be used to clean your clothes.

And that is exactly what a laundry detergent does. It helps to perfect the cleaning property of water.

Just as shampoo cleans your hair pretty well, a laundry detergent will help to lift all the dirt on your clothes.

What Does Fabric Softener Do?

As the name suggests, fabric softeners freshen and soften up clothes.

Special types of fabric softeners have been designed with additional properties to pile and stretch clothes. They also help to avoid fading of clothes.

So, if you have been experiencing problems with the stretching of clothes, you want to add a fabric softener to the laundry.

This is the surest way to protect all those clothes you love.

Things You Should Consider When Washing With Detergents and Fabric Softeners

1. Nature Of The Cloth Material

Some clot materials may wear and tear when chemicals like softeners and detergents are added to them.

So, perhaps you should be moderate when washing such clothes with detergents and softeners.

O you may have to stop using them completely.

2. Quantity And Strength Of The Detergents

Also depending on the clot materials, you may have to ration how you apply fabric softeners and cleaners during your laundry work.

Other clothes require even stronger detergents and fabric softeners to get them cleaned and softened optimally.

Read the care labels on your clothes to get the job done efficiently.

3. Read The Laundry Machine User Manual

If you have no idea how to use these detergents and fabric softeners, then you should make good use of your washing machine manual.

It has all the information you have to know regarding the particular machine. This includes the application of chemicals like detergents and simplified application and washing procedures.

How Can You Use Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener At The Same Time?

For safety purposes, it is not a good idea to put laundry detergents and fabric softener in the same compartment during the washing process.

Do not mix these softeners with detergents. Here are simple steps to get the job done as efficiently as possible.

1. Use The Laundry Detergents First

You want to clean your clothes as usual.

To start with adding laundry detergents in the washing compartment.

They will help remove all dirt from your clothes. Do not use too many detergents on your clothes as they may cause them to wear down.

Also, depending on the nature of materials your clothes are made of; do not apply strong detergents to your laundry. Strong detergents equally cause wear and tear on the clothes. Allow plenty of water to fill the rinsing compartment.

2. Add Fabric Softener

After filling the compartment with water, add your preferred fabric softener.

Be careful not to add them directly to the clothes.

Add only the amount of softener suggested on the container.

Different fabric softeners come in different strengths and types. You should not add just too much of it. It can lead to staining and spots on the clothes.

How to Use Fabric Softener in Laundry Work

Well, it seems we have all mastered key steps to follow when washing with detergents, but maybe not for fabric softener.

In this section, we are going to help you understand how to use fabric softener to achieve optimum results. Read on.

1. Shop For The Appropriate Fabric Softener

Of course, you need to get an ideal fabric softener.

Some softeners are designed to work on tough fabric materials.

So, if you are purchasing for the sole purpose of softening such tough materials, you should buy a softener that is strong enough for the task.

2. Check Your Clothes’ Care Levels

Before proceeding to use fabric softeners, it is important to check whether they can be washed with the same chemicals.

Some cloth materials may be harmed by fabric softeners.

Well, there is no point in fabric softeners only for them to cause a tear on your clothes.

If you should not use fabric softeners on your clothes, simply avoid using them.

Clothes manufacturers often indicate that on the clothes. And you have to pay attention to that.

3. Dose The Fabric Softener With A Cap

If you are working on medium loads of laundry, it is recommended to fill the softener to the first line of the cap.

You fill it up to line three if you are working on huge loads that require intensive softening.

4. Pour The Fabric Softener Into The Laundry Compartment

Your laundry machine user manual should be your ultimate guide if you have no idea where to start.

Usually, the gain is poured into a drawer in the washing machine. Such drawers are often denoted with a star or flower symbol.

The ideal placement is key to quality softening since it is a guarantee that the fabric softener will be released into the washing machine at an appropriate time.

As we mentioned earlier, the softener is applied on the rinse step of your clothes after they have been thoroughly cleaned with detergents.

5. Dry Your Softened Clothes

You should dry the softened clothes as soon as they are out of the washing machine.

If you opt to use a dryer, then again dryer sheet is an ideal drying tool for you.

Apart from softening your clothes, even more, they help to add a cool scent to your clothes.

You should, however, be cautious not to dry any cloth that is marked as flame-resistant on such materials. They compromise with the flame resistance of your cloth.

Children’s clothes are also not advisable to be dried in such materials.

Final Words

You should not apply detergents and fabric softeners at the same time when carrying out laundry work.

You need to master all the steps on when and where to apply these chemicals during washing.

An appropriate guide is, therefore, a requisite to execute the cleaning work.

You want your clothes to remain in great condition.

References

https://ilovegain.com/en-us/articles-section/laundry-tips-and-tricks/how-to-use-fabric-softener