The 11 Best Fabric Softeners Reviews for 2021

If you’d like to make your clothes soft, fluffy, static & wrinkle-free, then fabric softener is an ideal product for you. Also, reduce the amount of ironing, and keeps clothing fresh & great smelling. Usually, Fabric/clothes softener comes in many scents & types, including liquid, dryer sheets, and dryer balls.

Hi there, I’m David Johnny, and today I’m going to review the top 11 best fabric softeners. So, if you want a high-quality softener to keep your fabric & clothing fresh, soft, fluffy, wrinkle and static-free, great smelling, then read the full review and then purchase one from our list.

Here, I’ve added only top-rated & best selling fabric softeners, and I hope these products will never disappoint you.

Let’s get into the product review section:

Top 11 Best Fabric Softeners Reviews and Buying Guide

• Best Selling: Downy Ultra April Fresh Liquid Softener
• Best Liquid: Gain Liquid Fabric Softener
• Best Smelling: Snuggle Exhilarations Concentrated Softener
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Downy Free and Gentle Softener
• Best for Reduce Wrinkles: Snuggle Plus Super Fresh Softener
• Best Natural: Mrs. Meyer’s Fabric & Clothes Softener
• Best for all Types of Clothes: Snuggle Laundry Scent Boosters
• Best Sheets: Bounce Softener Dryer Sheets
• Best Dryer Balls: Smart Sheep 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls 
• Best for Budget: Purex Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets
• Best Eco-Friendly: Ecover Fabric & cloth Softener

1. Best Selling: Downy Ultra April Fresh Liquid Fabric Softener

The Downy Ultra April Fresh Liquid softener is one of the popular strongest smelling fabric softeners that comes in a 48 Oz smart pouch, and the pack comes with three 48oz smart pouches. It protects the fabric from stretching, fading, and fuzz while adding freshness and softness to the clothes.

It fights against static and wrinkles and provides a long-lasting fragrance that keeps your clothes smelling fresh for a long-time. As the softener comes in a pouch, it is super easy to store.

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Therefore, this softener increases clothes flammability and is not recommended for kid’s sleepwear & garments that are labeled as flame-resistant.

However, it has lots of positive customer feedback on Amazon, has 12k+ reviews on Amazon. The pack comes with three 48-oz pouches of softeners for under $15.

Also, lots of people use this Downy Ultra April Fresh Liquid softener, and they are happy with its performance, so if you want, you can try it.

Key Features to Highlight:

• Protects cloth from stretching, fading, and fuzz
• It is super easy to use and easy to store
• The pack comes with three 48-Oz pouches
• It fights against static cling & softens clothes
• It provides long-lasting scents

Next Read: The 11 Fabric & garment steamers

2. Best Liquid: Gain Liquid Fabric Softener

The Gain Liquid Softener is our second pick and yet another most popular and best Liquid Fabric Softener right now on the market. This pack comes with 4 bottles of 41- Fl Oz liquid softeners.

This Gain Original Liquid Softener not only softens clothes but also leaves your clothes smelling great even after six weeks. As the pack comes with four 41-fl oz for under $20, it is affordable as well.

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However, you will love its scent, and the scent is long-lasting. Therefore, this Gain Original softener has 7k+ reviews on Amazon, and 90% of user reviews are five out of five.

Key Features to Highlight:

• It keeps clothes smelling great even after six weeks
• Comes with four 41 FL-Oz bottles
• It will provide better softness
• Safe for standard and HE washing machines
• It has 90 perfect five out of five customer reviews

Next Read: The 10 Car cloth seat cleaner

3. Best Smelling: Snuggle Exhilarations Concentrated Fabric Softener Liquid

If you’re searching for the best smelling fabric softener, then this Snuggle Exhilarations Concentrated Softener could be a perfect choice for you. It has a new Cherry Blossom & Rosewood scent that will love your family members.

This softener pack comes with only one 96-Fl ounce bottle that reduces wrinkles, static, and keeps fabric smooth & fresh for a long time. Therefore it is safe for all your high-efficiency washing machine.

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However, this 96-Fl ounce of softener is good enough for 96 loads of washing. The Snuggle is a well-known and popular clothing softener brand.

And this particular product has almost 80% positive feedback, so if you want the best smelling softener for clothes, you can go for it.

Key Features to Highlight:

• The softener provides long-lasting softness & freshness
• It has a cherry blossom & rosewood scent
• Leaves cloth snuggly soft
• The scent lasts from wash to wash
• Safe for all HE washing machines

Next Read: The 10 Outdoor fabric waterproofing sprays

4. Best for Sensitive Skin: Downy Free and Gentle Liquid Fabric Softener

If you’re looking for the best clothes softener for sensitive skin, then you can check out this Downy Free and Gentle Liquid Fabric Softener. This Downy Fabric Conditioner or Softener comes with six 34 oz bottles.

It is dyes and perfumes-free product that is safe for those people who struggle with sensitive skin. It not only makes your clothes soft and fresh also fights against pilling and fuzz to keep your clothes fuzz & pills free.

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Therefore, this fabric conditioner prevents stretching & fading, and is safe for HE machines. However, these six bottles are perfect for 240 loads of washing, which means if you purchase this product, you can use it for a long time.

Key Features to Highlight:

• Safe for sensitive skin
• Free of dyes and perfumes
• Hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested
• Softener help prevent stretching and fading
• Compatible with HE machines and fights against pilling and fuzz

5. Best for Reduce Wrinkles: Snuggle Plus Super Fresh Liquid Softener

This Snuggle Plus Super Fresh Liquid Softener is the second one from the Snuggle brand that has a spring burst scent. It has a strong long-lasting fresh fragrance, and its odor-eliminating technology efficiently removes the body, pet, and outdoor odors as well.

This softener comes in a 95-ounce bottle that will provide you up to 90 washing machine loads. The fabric conditioner has almost 88% positive reviews on Amazon. And this clothes conditioner is safe to use on HE washing machines.

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However, after using this softener, if you get any health issues, please make sure to contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Key Features to Highlight:

• It works well plus has odor eliminating technology
• Snuggle ever fresh scent
• Long-lasting freshness and static reduction
• Safe for a standard for HE dryers
• Includes a box of dryer sheet

6. Best Natural: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Fabric & Clothes Softener 

If you’re looking around to purchase a high-quality natural fabric softener, then this particular Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Fabric & Clothes Softener can be an ideal pick for you. It is made without phthalates, parabens, or animal-derived ingredients & has essential oils for a garden-fresh fragrance.

As it is made from all-natural ingredients, it is an ideal product for those people who has sensitive skin & allergies. It comes in a 32-fl oz bottle that is enough for at least 32 loads.

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Overall, if you’d like to make your clothes soft, static & wrinkle-free, fresh, then you can purchase this Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Fabric & Clothes Softener. However, this natural softener has 600+ reviews on Amazon, and 87% of reviews are five out of five.

Key Features to Highlight:

• Made from natural ingredients
• Makes clothes soft and fresh naturally
• Ideal for people with sensitive skin & allergies
• Has 80+% positive reviews on Amazon

7. Best for all Types of Clothes: Snuggle Laundry Scent Boosters Concentrated Scent Fabric Softener 

The Snuggle Laundry Scent Boosters Concentrated Scent Fabric Softener is an ideal product for all types of clothes. It is made with a special combination of floral fragrance and lavender essence that will make your clothes soft and ultra-fresh.

The product is ideal and safe for all types of washing machines. It comes in a tub and enough for up to 56 loads. 

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Luckily, it is safe for all types of fabric & clothes. Therefore, it has almost 8k reviews on Amazon, and it cost under $ 10. So, If you’re looking for a softener option for all types of clothing, then you can purchase it.

Key Features to Highlight:

• Made of sweet floral scent & soothing lavender essence
• Ideal for all kinds of clothing items
• Super easy to use
• It is safe for all washing machine

8. Best Sheets: Bounce Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets

If you’d like to keep your clothes wrinkle-free and soft with a dryer sheet, then this Bounce Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets product is an ideal and the best option for you. The pack comes with 240 dryer sheets that are enough for many loads.

This Bounce Dryer Sheet’s one dryer sheet perfect for small to medium loads, two sheets are perfect for medium to large loads, and three sheets are ideal for large to extra-large loads.

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So, overall, if you don’t want a liquid softener for your clothing, then you can purchase these Bounce Dryer Sheets, I hope it will never disappoint you.

Key Features to Highlight:

• The pack comes with 240 sheets
• Helps to reduce wrinkles
• Controls static cling in fabrics
• Helps repel lint and hair
• Softness fabric and color safe

9. Best Dryer Balls: Smart Sheep 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls 

If you’d like to soften and freshen up your clothes with environmentally friendly dryer balls, then this Smart Sheep 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls pack will be a perfect choice for you. These dryer balls are made out of 100% Premium New Zealand Wool.

These dryer balls don’t contain any chemicals or harmful elements, and are ideal for babies and sensitive skins. Therefore, they efficiently remove static & wrinkles from clothes and make them fresh and almost looking new.

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However, If you like the essential oil scent, then you can add few drops of essential oil onto the wool balls before you put them into the dryer. 

The dryer balls pack has 48k+ reviews on Amazon, and most of the customers are happy with these dryer balls. So if you need some dryer balls for your laundry, then you can purchase this Smart Sheep 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls pack.

Key Features to Highlight:

• It made out without chemicals
• Ideal for babies and sensitive skins
• These dryer balls remove static & wrinkles
• The pack has 48K+ reviews on Amazon
• Users are happy with their result

10. Best for Budget: Purex Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets

This Purex Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets pack is the second dryer sheets pack on our list. The Purex Fabric Dryer Sheets come at an affordable price. The pack comes with 40 dryer sheets that cost you under $2.

These dryer sheets reduce static cling and also add a refreshing scent to the laundry. They can freshen up your whole hose: you can use them in hampers, in the linen closets, and in any other laundry storage areas as well.

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If you want to freshening up your clothes, the Purex scented dryer sheets are the ideal product for you that can also be used to freshen up many areas of your home like your laundry room, closet, or even a bathroom.

However, this Purex Dryer Sheets pack is one of the popular, has 8k+ reviews on Amazon, is super cheap, and is perfect for sensitive skins. So, if you’re looking for cheap dryer sheets for your clothes & fabrics, then you can go for this Purex Dryer Sheets pack.

Key Features to Highlight:

• Has a refreshing scent
• Reducing static cling
• Keep your house smelling fresh
• Take care of your sensitive skin
• Provides Long-lasting freshness

11. Best Eco-Friendly: Ecover Fabric & cloth Softeners Liquid, Morning Fresh

If you’re looking for a natural, environmentally safe, and reliable Eco-friendly fabric softener, then this Ecover Fabric and Clothes softener is a great choice for you. It gently freshens and softens clothes without any harmful ingredients.

The product comes with a 32-ounce plastic bottle. It is made of chemical-free and eco-friendly ingredients: Which means this is an ideal softener for baby clothes and those with sensitive skin.

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However, this softener will make your clothes smell fresh and clean naturally. Overall, if you want softener for your baby clothes, or if you have sensitive skin, then you can check out this product.

Key Features to Highlight:

• Comes in a 32-ounce bottle
• It’s a plant-based liquid softener
• Helps to reduce static while softening and freshening fabrics
• Made with plant-based and mineral ingredients
• Bottle made with recycled plastic

Fabric Softener Buying Guide:

Already I provide you top 10 softeners to buy right now, and I’ve reviewed them as well. Now I hope you can easily select the best softener for clothes & fabric, but in this buying guide section, I’m going to discuss few things so that you can learn more about fabric softeners.

Types of Fabric Softeners:

Mainly fabric softeners are available in three different types. Here, I’m going to talk about each type. So, if you’d love to learn more about different types of fabric/clothes softeners, then read this section carefully. Let’s get started:

Liquid Softener:

Liquid fabric softeners are the most expensive and popular options as well. Liquid softeners come with a measuring cup that helps you measure out the amount of softener for use with each load.

You can pour liquid softener by hand, or you can add the liquid softener into the dispenser in the washing machine, and the washing machine will add the softener in the final rinse cycle.

But if you have a washing machine that doesn’t come with a dispenser, then you need to add the liquid softener during the final rinse.

However, it softens fabric & clothes better than dryer sheets & balls but is not recommended for towels, and sheets.

Dryer Sheets:

Dryer sheets are cheap, they cost less than liquid softeners. They are less effective than liquid options and more effective than dryer balls but not recommended for towels.

Dryer Balls:

Dryer balls are eco-friendly & cheaper than liquid softener & dryer sheets. Usually, dryer balls don’t soften clothes as liquid & dryer sheets do. This type of softener is ideal for use on sheets & towels.

FAQs About Fabric Softeners:

1. Is it Worth Using Fabric Softener?

Yeah, worth it. Typically, softener keeps clothes soft, wrinkle-free, static-free and keeps smelling fresh. Also, if you use softeners on your clothes, you don’t have to iron your clothes every day.

2. Why is Fabric Softener Bad for Towels?

Liquid fabric softener created from a silicone oil that can coat towel fibers & damage absorbency. That’s why liquid softeners are not recommended for use on towels.

On the other hand, dryer balls don’t coat towel fibers and don’t damage towels’ absorbency: so dryer balls can be used on towels.

3. When Do You Pour Fabric Softener in The Washing Machine?

It is super simple: you can pour liquid softener into your washing machine during the final rinse cycle.

4. What Should You Not Use Fabric Softener on?

Liquid softener is not ideal for use on all types of fabric & clothes. Typically, A liquid softener is not recommended for towels, microfiber, and fabric that is water & flame-resistant.

5. How Do You Clean a Fabric Softener Dispenser?

When it comes to clean up the softener dispenser, seems like it’s a difficult task, but it is not. You can do it easily.

To do this, you can add a mixture of warm water and liquid laundry detergent into the softener dispenser, therefore, you can run the washing machine through the rinse cycle couple of times. Then, you’ve done the job, the dispenser will be nice & clean.

Conclusion:

They are so many fabric softeners available on the market: from that large list, we make this top 11 short-list for you. We have added all types of softeners for clothes & fabrics: Liquid softeners, dryer sheets, dryer balls (babies, sensitive skins, and you).

Now we hope, you can easily select the ideal fabric softener. After using clothes softeners, if you get any health problems, then please make sure to contact your healthcare provider immediately. Thank you so much for reading this review article, see you soon with another new review. Have a good day, keep well, Bye Bye.