6 Items That Should Never Be Washed With Product, According to Experts

Do you add a capful of fabric softener to your weekly wash? Experts say this act, while very common, could ruin some of your pieces – at least six types of clothing.

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Research carried out by the Which? revealed that almost half of Brits add the product to their laundry, with one in five using it in every wash.

However, not all items should be washed with the product, including towels, sportswear and delicate wool items.

Fabric softeners are designed to make clothes softer, help reduce static, and make the ironing process easier.

“Softeners contain emulsifiers which coat the fabric with a thin layer that repels water and acts as a lubricant, leaving the fabric soft to the touch. They also contain cationic surfactants – positively charged substances which neutralize the static charge that washing can create. However, regular use can cause a build-up of these substances, which can have a negative impact on some fabrics,” explains Jus Rai, senior scientific advisor at Which?.

This product buildup can apply a waxy layer that coats clothing fibers, making them less soft and more uncomfortable, and can even become stiff or dry, as the residue stiffens the fibers.

Additionally, for some people, ingredients in fabric softeners, such as fragrances, stabilizers, and preservatives, can cause skin irritation. The site’s expert said fabric softeners containing perfumes or fragrances will be particularly problematic for people with sensitive skin or eczema.

In addition to towels, sports clothing should also not be washed with fabric softener, especially those designed to absorb sweat and moisture from the body. Even waterproof materials like Gore-Tex or Lycra swimsuits can lose their effectiveness when washed with fabric softener. Natural fibers such as wool can be damaged by the build-up of waxy residue and should never be washed with fabric softener.

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Experts recommend that instead of using fabric softener, you should choose natural solutions to keep your clothes looking and feeling their best. White vinegar or baking soda can be used to pretreat particularly soiled clothes before machine washing.

Simply soak your clothes in a mixture of white vinegar and water or a mixture of baking soda and water.

Then, rinse them well with water before putting them in the washing machine as you usually would.

Not only will this help reduce static, but it will also remove stains and leave your clothes soft and pleasant to the touch.

Remember not to try mixing baking soda and vinegar, as they will neutralize each other and make the prewash process less effective.