Many people use softener when washing clothes to keep clothes soft and fragrant. But did you know? Some types of clothes cannot be treated with softener? Is softener laundry detergent advisable?

How does softener make clothes softer?

The main ingredient of softener is quaternary ammonium salt, which is a cationic surfactant composed of organic nitrogen compounds. Because the nitrogen element in the center is positively charged (positive charge), it is easy to adhere to the surface of clothes with negative charge (negative charge).

Softener works like a conditioner. It covers a lubricating film on the surface of clothing fibers, reduces the friction coefficient between fibers, and makes clothes smoother. It also reduces static electricity and wrinkles caused by friction during washing, and makes ironing easier.

Are laundry products with softening ingredients less effective than softeners?

As long as you buy laundry detergent with softener, you can save the cost of buying softener separately, right?

Actually not.

The formula of softener is more complicated than that of general laundry detergent, because cleaning clothes and softening clothes are two different functions, and the active ingredients used are also different. For example, most laundry detergents use anionic or nonionic surfactants, while softeners use cationic surfactants. Mixing the two may affect the effect. According to the association's previous tests, softeners are not as effective as softener products in making clothes soft.

Three kinds of clothes should not be washed with softener!

Although softeners can make clothes soft, their chemical composition may affect the properties of some fabrics. The following three kinds of clothes should not be washed with softeners:

1. For cotton towels, specially treated man-made fibers (such as microfibers), and sweat-absorbing and quick-drying fabrics, softeners will form a thin film on the fiber surface, reducing its water absorption capacity.

2. Windproof, waterproof and breathable functional windbreakers should not use softeners because their films have been specially treated, so as not to affect the waterproof and breathable functions of the film.

3. For flame retardant-treated clothing, such as children's pajamas, their flame retardant properties may be reduced after using softener, and parents should pay special attention.