Larsi not failed, just a result you did not expect. Sorry it didn't turn out the way you wanted.

What was your purpose of not using or trying not to use FS?

It's not a fail - we noticed the same thing. No matter how much people say that a dryer can replace fabric softener and make towels etc. just as fluffy... no. I can still feel a slight difference between cuddly soft and just rinsed in water.

Larsi, you have NOT failed. Ok so it didn't work out for you, but remember you are all used to FS its a normal feel for your family. Its the opposite here, if I used fs on sheets I'd be ask why the sheets feel funny LOL....its all in what your used to. I could never not use it in towels...I know some say their towels won't absorb water...mine do...just a little FS in my towels is a must.

The only items I use fabric softener for are towels, sheets, sweaters and blankets. I never use dryer sheets either. I can definitely tell a difference in my towels if I don't use the FS.

LOL, Larson, that's hilarious. But. It's made me wonder if I don't use LFS enough. Time to up my game!

So there's some truth to Downy saying they protect fabric I guess.

If the cotton quality was better there would be no need for fabric softener, But agree, towels are horrible without it. And it doesn't matter how much they cost either.

I agree with Roc. I have some cotton tee's in this house that are supposed to be 100% cotton, but know they either have a percentage of *other* in them or its poor quality cotton as they don't feel smooth after a wash. But feel ok if I use FS..and other tee's that are smooth with no fs. Same with some cotton sheets..my old ones feel smooth and lovely (no fs) but cheap modern day cotton sheets not so smooth, but fs smooths them.

Some of this is probably because as Roc has told us 100% cotton can contain a small percentage of other

Hmmm, this post kinda makes me want to try some LFS. I currently use unscented dryer sheets and they really do make a difference in the softness and virtually eliminate any static in my laundry.

Okay, this is going to sound weird. I never use FS on my sheets. The last time I washed them, I used half a cup of borax, two tbls. Tide F/G and a scoop of All Oxy, two rinses and my sheets never felt better. They were as soft or softer than using fs.

Another good reason to sleep in linens. No FS required.

I never use FS on sheets. I have noticed all of my vintage percales are smooth after laundering, current day Target Threshold percales not quite, but a hot steam iron solves it lol.

I never use FS on sheets or towels. I do press sheets with a Miele rotary iron but both seem good to me. I always use a small bit with others though.

Larsi, ITA with everyone else. Better to experiment --- for the sake of science --- and now you know! LOL

Okay Larsi, you (well more likely your DH's strong opinion) convinced me!

I use Ecover FS on the towels. They come out well and are very absorbent. Nothing else seems to need FS. @brushworks - very good point about the linen sheeting. Slowly switching over.

YAY Greeny!!!

Now, I do not love Downy unscented softener, as I like a little scent and I find this particular unscented softener to have a strange, non-scent....but it works VERY well!!!

I find about 1/2 of a capful added to the liquid softener reservoir works best. I have never, never, never had any absorbency problems with towels using liquid fabric softener. I mean, I'm sure if you used 1/2 of a CUP there would bes some issues, but 1/2 of a CAP....perfection.

Liquid fabric softener for me is a must on towels, sheets and clothes. I do not use softener on workout wear, microfiber towels or kitchen towels!

PLEASE let me know how you like it. Btw, both Mama and I love mixing Downy unscented softener with a little scented softener. It masks the strange non-scent of the unscented Downy and you get to control how much scented softener you add ;)

Yeppers Larsi has it right...The Downy free is my fav. I do mix some scented with it as it gives me what I like..a hint, a whisper of a scent. Downy Free mixed with Gain original is lovely on towels. My favorate FS with a scent is Citric Spice...I absolutly adore it...on towels it is amazing, sadly I can no longer find it except some old bottles on a shelf that went rancid, you know...rotton pig fat..HAHAHA.

Speaking of FS Walmart has a new line of liquid detergent and fabric softener. ..Great Value, there's Lavender or Gain copycat...I haven't smelled them but did sniff the copycat Gain FS...I'm up in the air yet I really need to sniff it again, but I think it was a bit lighter than Gain and I remember thinking it might be nice mixed with Downy free. It is only in huge bottles though so I'm not getting it.

I stopped using the Miele FS and only use the Shaklee which I love the scent of. With certain Laundress loads I use their fabric conditioner as well. I like both are plant based. Larsi did you mention the Kirkland is plant based as well? Downy free does have an odd no smell - I sniffed it today.

Downy Free used to leave a strange scent on the clothes, but I've noticed it no longer does..strange in the bottle but not on the clothes and I'm glad... P$G must have fixed this.

@Livebetter....Kirkland/Costco is PLANT based. Confirmed by Costco, in writing!! :)

@MamaP....Downy Citrus Spice is available and fresh at 2/3 of our local Targets and also at our Pavilions (Safeway/Vons) and 1/3 of our local Ralph's.

I'm with @livebetter, Shaklee fs, if I use it. Great scent and just enough softness, never any build up or absorbency issues. I gave away the new version of Miele fs, stinky! I like Costco too, the scent is pretty traditional and it's very cheap.

I'm excited to try this. I did a load of micro fibers yesterday, so didn't use it on that load (of course). Will likely try it tonight or tomorrow.

I actually liked the scent of it in the bottle. It was very light, but not weird or animal fat smelling. I do wish I could use a scented product, maybe I could try a little of something else for that "whisper" of scent Mama likes.

I only use FS (Downy Free) on hubs towels, because he says I ruined them (Hotel microfiber or something) when I washed them in hot and Tide powder. Please, someone, tell me when you can recommend a nice SPICEY-scented FS. Thank you.

Pat....Downy Citrus Spice...its Spicy in a warm way. The scent in the bottle does not do it justice.

@Pat....you will really like Downy Citrus Spice softener. Also, Method makes Ginger Spice (available at our 3 local Target stores). In the bottle, it is dreadful, but reviews are pretty good!

FS-free here. Totally.

I am with Mamapinky's first post above "if I used fs on sheets I'd be ask why the sheets feel funny". I can tell when sheets have fs coating on them, and it's not for me. Especially if you "sleep hot" like I do. I think it's in the same vein of people who prefer the crispness of low 250-300 thread count sheets (me- (thank you LLBean)), vs. people who like smooth high thread counts. Personal choice, but it's kinda ironclad for the individual. And my towels are slightly rough, but then they absorb the water after the shower so much better. I like that brisk rub-by feeling of a towel that is not ultra soft.

@friedajune....I could never stay at your house. LOL We are all so different!! :)

I've Been using the homemade laundry detergent which is pretty much half borax and half washing soda and I no longer need softener, things feel ever so slightly different but not bad at all. Even my linen items have responded well and no static cling

The homemade..Zippity..how long have you been using it and what laundry bar soap do you use? What type of washer do you have?

I also want to add to my post above where I said I never use FS - my towels aren't very rough or scratchy, they're just not the velvet-soft they'd be with FS. I have the Matouk Milagro towels. Very pricey, yes, a splurge (even when bought on sale), but they maintain a nice texture without FS. I feel that FS impedes a towel's water absorption after bathing.

I don't use FS on my own laundry, just on hubs towels. He's clueless. Thank you Pink and larsi for the spice recs.

Mama pinky I've used it since maybe the end of October. In a maytag. Sometimes I use felsnaptha sometimes Castile. Usually just a bit not the recommended amount. Sometimes none at all.

I tried the Downy on a set of sheets and slept on them last night. They were smoother and softer. I don't think I noticed a difference in how warm they felt.

I've got a few loads of laundry to do but with this beautiful weather, not sure I'll get to that today.

Greeny...you will notice it a lot on cotton tees, towels and jeans. With liquid fabric softener....these items (sheets too) are so much smoother and feel amazing. Can't wait for you to try it!!

Using liquid FS on sheets have never made them feel "hotter". I might be the warmest person at night you can imagine, and I notice no difference. Actually with liquid FS, I enjoy the smoothness!

You make me want to try FS. I stopped using it 20 years ago and no one ever noticed, including me. Sounds like it does more than I thought

I just used Downy Mountain Spring FS on hubs towels and 2 shower curtains. Truly LOV-ER-LY !!!!

I may use it on his whites, but will not use it on his Portugese flannel sheet sets.

Thank you for this post. I think.

I don't use FS on sheets, but a few times, actually at least a half dozen times since I got the Duet I wasn't thinking and put it in the dispenser while doing sheets...I noticed..I really noticed..I understand the comment about it sleeping hotter...its just a strange feel to me..almost a sticky feel as if I can't roll over as smoothly, its not that I'm sticking to the sheet but more like my nighty is not flowing over it freely..hard to explain. FS does leave a residue that's the function of it afterall. I think if your used to it you don't notice the residue feel. I don't like the way things feel from FS that being said FS does help with wrinkling, static, and it makes ironing easier which is why professional laundrys use it, it keeps things from rolling or curling up around the edges. A little bit of FS is not a bad thing it can be helpful.

Mamapinky, yes, you articulated well what I was trying to say when I wrote that I don't like FS on sheets cause I sleep hot.