You can use them. You might need to clean the sensors occasionally from the film. I quit using fabric softener of any kind years and years ago. Don't need it. Occasionlly I might use some vinegar in the washer but that's seldom.

Cynic,if you dont mind sharing the reason of not using the fabric softner.I would be interested to know .
Thanks

I don't use dryer sheets or liquid fabric softener any more either. Like Cynic, I occasionally use vinegar in my rinse, but not often and only if I am washing clothes for guests or washing towels. I have found guests clothing usually causes more suds in my machine, probably from the extra detergent and softeners/dryer sheets that they use.

I know other folks here can point you in the direction of the threads where they talk about the chemicals in those products. So, not only are we not using the extra chemicals, I am saving a lot of money by not using those products. I also prefer the clean 'unscented' smell of my laundry. Nothing like the smell of clean cotton. :)

I swear dryer sheets make your dryer "addicted" to them, for lack of a better word. I stopped using them because DH has sensitive skin, and you know what, I have less static cling than what I ever had using dryer sheets.

Seriously, try to give them up and don't overdry your clothes.

I guess the question is why would you use them? Sometimes there's the old that's the way we've always done it! philosophy and I avoid that policy often.

My reasons for not using are the same reasoning as above. I don't use them because I simply don't need them. Why waste the money, time and effort? Plus I don't like my clothes to smell. When clothes smell,that's when I think they need to be washed. Most detergents now have a water softening agent in it so the "softening" aspect is moot. Dryer sheets do build up on the dryer sensors and why cause more maintenance? Save money, save labor.

Static cling is occasionally an issue but I never found the sheets to really do that much. A can of Static Guard or it's frugal counterpart, a spray bottle of water to mist the clothes, is more effective. I have several poly blend and poly t-shirts and now in the winter, yes there's some static. So I give them a shake and all is well. Plus if I don't dry as dry, or "over dry" as some call it, that helps too. Don't want damp clothes but a bit of humidity in the air in the fibers is fine and deters static.

I haven't even used vinegar for a long time. I'm just so happy with the way my clothes come out now, and simpler is better. Don't need the extra cost or labor.

I'm another that doesn't use softener sheets or liquid softener, and haven't for a long time. As already mentioned, they are not necessary.

Fabric sheets also remove the fire-retarding coating from fabric (children's pajamas). There's lots of toxins in softener sheets and liquids I'd just as soon avoid, and the perfumes are odious. I consider the perfumes a cover-up.

I only rarely dry clothing in the dryer anymore. Clothing lasts much longer and looks better longer if I don't use the dryer. So that's another HUGE savings.

If static is a problem, then you are over-drying your load. That's easy to do when you have a mixed load - heavy items and lightweight items, as well as natural fabrics along with synthetics. Remove any clothing that is synthetic well before the load is dry, and/or hang them to dry outside the dryer (a novel idea - hanging clothing to dry hmmmmmm).

A quick spritz with plain water into the dryer and a couple tumbles will usually break the static charge. Or you can add a damp washcloth and give it a few tumbles to break the static charge.

-Grainlady

I have a washer/sream dryer it's i piece...it switches from a washer2 a dryer. My ? Is,,,is there any kind of softener liqid or sheets tht will make my clothes small fresh...i get no scent @ all... I use Downey & snugglesl liqid & sheets... Since i bought it ( a month ago),,They just don't have tht dryer scentl i'm use 2... Even my kids have noticed... Does any1 know of something i can get....ty..