One such evaluation is a water absorbency test, sometimes called the Drayes Wetting Test. This procedure involves dropping small pieces of treated fabric onto water and recording the length of time required for the fabric to sink. This measurement is taken 10 times to obtain an average result.
Anti-wrinkle properties can be evaluated by asking panelists to rate samples of fabric before they have been ironed. They are asked to numerically rate the amount of wrinkling between the test sample and the fabric softener treated sample. The test to measure ease of ironing is also done using trained panelists. These tests are performed on swatches of identical fabrics with the only difference being that one fabric has been treated with softener and the other has been washed in detergent only.
The swatches are dried in a controlled environment at There are two formula related areas that will affect the future of fabric softeners. The first is the impact the ultra-concentrates will have on the market. At the time of this writing it is too soon to tell if they will be accepted by consumers. The second area is related to the role that multi-functionality will play in the future. As chemists develop new more efficacious ingredients there is more potential for additional consumer-perceivable benefits.
At the turn of the millennium, multifunctional fabric softener formulations are the latest trend. These new products not only soften clothes but also improve the ease of ironing, reduce wrinkling in the dryer, and provide stain protection. Both Lever Brothers and Procter and Gamble have capitalized on this trend with new formulations that deliver multiple fabric care benefits.
Finally, manufacturers may turn to new delivery forms to make softeners easier to use. The ball stays sealed during washing but the spinning of the rinse cycle triggers it to open and release the softener. For consumer who do not have an automatic softener dispenser on their washing machines, the "Downy Ball" saves them from the trouble of adding the liquid in a separate step.
Other innovative dispensing devices like this may become more common as manufacturers strive to differentiate their products from the competition. Henault, Benoit. Turcsik, Richard. Toggle navigation. Randy Schueller. Other articles you might like:. Also read article about Fabric Softener from Wikipedia. User Contributions: 1. If i am going to use distilled water do i have to boil or heat the water before mixing the other ingredients from making fabric softener?
Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic: Name:. E-mail: Show my email publicly. Human Verification:. Public Comment: characters. Because of these and other concerns with fabric softeners, some people have tried alternatives with some success.
White vinegar does not always reduce static, but it has been found to soften clothes and as a bonus, it does not leave a vinegar smell. Like liquid fabric softener, add one-half cup for a large load of white vinegar to the rinse cycle when the tub is full of water to avoid bleaching and a vinegar smell. Aluminum foil dryer balls help reduce static but do not get clothes as soft as dryer sheets.
Make three-inch balls out of aluminum foil and toss them in the dryer. As the foil becomes smooth, add more foil or replace the balls with new ones. All Posts. Without emulsifiers, fabric softener would just disappear down the drain. Fabric softeners contain chemical fragrances and colourings. The exact chemical make-up of these fragrances is a closely guarded secret, so you've really got no way of knowing what you'll be wearing against your skin. Fabric softener is added during the rinse cycle, not during the wash, because the wash cycle removes soiling and additives from your clothes to clean them, and for a fabric softener to work it needs to stay behind in the fabric.
If you added it during the wash cycle your machine will literally treat it like dirt and wash it away, so add it to the fabric softener dispenser instead. It's never a good idea to add any chemical to our waterways or the environment, and fabric softeners contain a variety of silicones and petrochemical ingredients that may be harmful to marine life.
Some fabric softeners may claim to be readily biodegradable but they're still going to be a big negative for the environment, which seems a pity given their use is completely unnecessary. While there are fabric softener brands that claim to be better for the environment than others, if you're concerned about the impact of fabric softeners, the best thing is to not use them — your clothes will be just as clean — cleaner even, and you'll save a bit of money.
We don't think you should use fabric softeners at all, but if you choose to, look for a fabric softener that:. While it may not give you the level of softness you'd expect from its commercial counterpart, vinegar is significantly cheaper and has other advantages — unlike commercial softeners, no trace of vinegar remains on your clothes at the end of the wash, so it won't cause skin irritation your clothes won't smell of vinegar either , and it won't affect the moisture absorbency of your towels.
Plus, vinegar helps clean away scrud and other deposits inside your washing machine, unlike commercial softeners which will make the problem worse. If vinegar isn't cutting the mustard, there's a cornucopia of DIY fabric softener recipes you can try. They won't work quite as well as many of the commercial products, but at least you'll know exactly what's going into your wash.
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