Fabric Softeners: Reviews

Updated February 2010

Whether you like liquid fabric softener, fabric softener sheets or eco-friendly dryer balls, the options in the cleaning aisle are so plentiful it's hard not to be overwhelmed by choices. After consulting expert reviews and user feedback we found three products that really shone above the rest.

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Best liquid fabric softener

Gain Ultra Liquid Fabric Softener

*Est. $9 for 44 oz. Compare Prices

Repeated tests and reviews indicate that liquid fabric softeners outperform dryer sheets when it comes to adding softness and zapping static. Overall, experts and consumers cite Gain Ultra Liquid as a top choice. This… expandhighly rated concentrated liquid fabric softener gets top marks for softness and static control. Consumers also enjoy this line's pleasant but subtle scent options, which range from fruity and herbal to "clean." Gain Ultra Liquid requires less than an ounce of liquid per average-sized load of laundry. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: This latest roundup of fabric softeners from ConsumerReports.org includes 12 liquid fabric softeners, eight dryer sheets, dryer balls and a reusable dryer cloth.

ExpoTV.com: At the time of our visit, over 20 owners have posted video reviews of Gain Ultra Liquid Fabric Softener Apple Mango Tango Scent to ExpoTV.com, where it has an average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

FAQs.org: Gain Ultra Liquid Fabric Softener tops the list of fabric softeners in this unique rating system that allows users to vote a product in a category up or down, adding or subtracting a point.

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for $94.67

Eco-friendly fabric softener

Seventh Generation Free & Clear Natural Fabric Softener

*Est. $9 for 40 oz. Compare Prices

Fragrance- and dye-free, Seventh Generation's Free & Clear Natural Fabric Softener is a good pick for those with sensitive skin. While most reviewers say Seventh Generation softens fabric just fine, others say it doesn't… expanddecrease static quite as well as Gain Ultra Liquid. Nevertheless, Seventh Generation maintains a large fan base. Many consumers strongly stand behind this product's natural formula -- it's made of non-toxic ingredients like plant oils -- saying it leaves their clothes soft and sufficiently static-free. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

GoodGuide.com: GoodGuide.com rates a variety of products according to their impact on health, society and environment.

Drugstore.com: Drugstore.com is an online retailer that also allows consumers to post reviews of various products, including fabric softeners.

Amazon.com: Nearly 50 consumers have offered feedback on Seventh Generation Natural Fabric Softener in Blue Eucalyptus & Lavender Scent, contributing to an average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

Scientific American magazine: In an article addressing greener options for softening clothes, editors of Scientific American magazine recommend Seventh Generation Natural Fabric Softener as a natural alternative to traditional, chemical-based softeners.

Care2.com: The author responds to a reader's inquiry on alternative fabric softeners with recommendations for both Seventh Generation and Ecover brands.

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Buy from Amazon for $36.95
UnbeatableS- ale, Inc. for $82.35	Business-Su- pply for $4.11	4AllVitamin- s for $3.99

Best dryer sheets

Bounce Original Dryer Sheets

*Est. $8 for 120 sheets Compare Prices

Less expensive than liquid fabric softeners, dryer sheets are also simpler to use. You don't have to worry about spilling or timing, you simply add one sheet to the dryer and you're done. However, comparison reviews show… expandthat dryer sheets generally fall short of liquid fabric softener when it comes to softening fabrics and controlling static. Among dryer sheets, both professional and consumer reviewers overwhelmingly praise Bounce Original Dryer Sheets as better than others, giving this product excellent ratings for softness, scent and static control. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Bounce Original Dryer Sheets are included in this head-to-head testing involving 22 different fabric softeners.

ExpoTV.com: ExpoTV.com is a video-review site that allows consumers to post video reviews of various products.

Viewpoints.com: More than 15 consumers have reviewed original Bounce Dryer Sheets in Fresh Linen on Viewpoints.com, contributing to an average rating of 4.1 stars out of 5.

ExpoTV.com: An additional 10 reviews are available for Bounce Free Dryer Sheets on ExpoTV.com, which are part of the original Bounce Dryer Sheet line, along with four other scents.

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Eco-friendly dryer sheets

Method Squeaky Green Dryer Cloths - Free & Clear

*Est. $6 for 40 cloths Compare Prices

Made of all-natural wood fibers, these cloths work like regular dryer sheets. But Method dryer sheets use plant oils, not animal-derived or petroleum chemicals. And they're biodegradable; once you've finished using a… expandsheet, it can go into your compost bin. Method Squeaky Green Dryer Cloths in Free & Clear are fragrance- and dye-free. Many users report using one Method cloth for two loads of laundry, saying this has significantly reduced their household expenses. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

GoodGuide.com: Method Squeaky Clean Dryer Cloths are the top-rated fabric softener on GoodGuide.com, where it has an overall rating of 8.5 out of 10.

Drugstore.com: Nearly 10 owners have reviewed Method Squeaky Clean Dryer Cloths in Rice Milk & Mallow, contributing to an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.

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Buy from Amazon for $4.99
iHerb.com for $5.52	VitaCost.co- m for $6.06

Ecover Fabric Softener Liquid *Est. $6 for 32 oz.

5 picks by top review sites.

Mrs. Meyer's Fabric Softener *Est. $8 for 32 oz.

2 picks by top review sites.

Natural Elements Ultra Purex Fabric Softener *Est. $9 for 44 oz.

2 picks by top review sites.

Ultra Downy Liquid *Est. $9 for 34 oz.

2 picks by top review sites.