The main difference between fabric softener and fabric conditioner is that fabric softeners mainly soften fabrics, whereas fabric conditioners help to protect fabrics.
Although both fabric softeners and fabric conditioners are made using similar ingredients and have similar functions, there are slight differences between fabric softeners and fabric conditioners.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Fabric Softener
– Definition, Features, Function
2. What is Fabric Conditioner
– Definition, Features, Function
3. Similarities Between Fabric Softener and Fabric Conditioner
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Fabric Softener and Fabric Conditioner
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Fabric Softene, Fabric Conditioner
What is Fabric Softener
Fabric softeners consist of ingredients that help to soften fabrics. There are different forms of fabric softeners, such as liquids, powder, or dryer sheets. Fabric softeners have many benefits. They help to reduce the wrinkles in clothes and soften clothes. They also add a fresh smell to clothes. Fabric softeners can be added to laundry in different ways. In a machine wash, fabric softeners can be added to the dispenser of the machine; liquid or powder fabric softeners can be added in the last cycle of washing. At the same time, a person who uses dry sheets can add sheets to the top of the load before starting the dry cycle. Dryer balls can also be used after loading laundry into the dryer.
However, the users must be careful to add fabric softeners in the correct amount. Although most fabrics get soft with the use of fabric softeners, there are some fabric items that do not respond well to fabric softeners. It is better to avoid using fabric softeners on fabric items like towels, kids’ pajamas, and athletic clothes.
What is Fabric Conditioner
Fabric conditioners provide extra protection for the fabrics. The ingredients in fabric conditioners help to prevent fading and stretching. In addition, fabric conditioners can smoothen clothes. Conditioners are in the form of liquid, and we can add them to fabrics in the final cycle of washing. Conditioners help to reduce the friction between the material and the skin. Thus, they remove discomfort.
Since fabric conditioners protect the fibers within fabrics, they extend the long-lasting quality of clothes. Fabrics like garments, bedding, as well as towels can be washed with fabric conditioners. In addition to softness, fabric conditioners can add a fresh fragrance to the clothes. Another benefit of fabric conditioners is that they speed up the process of drying. However, fabric conditioners are not suitable for some fabric items like children’s sleepwear, fluffier fabrics, and sweat-absorbing clothes. The use of fabric conditioners for other garments, like wool fabrics, may give wonderful washing results.
Similarities Between Fabric Softener and Fabric Conditioner
- Both fabric softeners and fabric conditioners help to soften fabrics.
- Fabric softeners and fabric conditioners contain quite similar ingredients.
- Both substances remove wrinkles in clothes.
- Children’s sleepwear should not be washed with fabric softeners or fabric conditioners.
- Both fabric softeners and conditioners add a fresh fragrance to clothes.
Differences Between Fabric Softener and Fabric Conditioner
Definition
Fabric softeners consist of ingredients that help to soften fabrics, whereas fabric conditioners provide extra protection for fabrics.
Forms
Although there are different forms of fabric softeners like liquid, powder, and sheets, there is only one form of fabric conditioner, i.e., liquid.
Fabric Items
Fabric items like towels should not be washed with fabric softeners, whereas towels can be washed using fabric conditioners.
Usage
The main usage of fabric softeners is to soften fabrics, whereas the main usage of fabric conditioners is to protect and avoid the fading of fabrics.
Conclusion
Although both fabric softeners and conditioners have similar ingredients, they are not the same. The main difference between fabric softener and fabric conditioner is that fabric softeners mainly soften fabrics, whereas fabric conditioners help to protect fabrics.
Reference:
1. “What is fabric softener and what does it do?” Whirlpool.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Fabric Softner” By Mike Mozart (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Loading washing machine” By Marco Verch Professional Photographer (CC BY 2.0) via Foto.wuestenigel
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