Fabric softener

A fabric softener (American English) or fabric conditioner (British English) is a conditioner that is applied to laundry after it has been washed in a washing machine. A similar, more dilute preparation meant to be applied to dry fabric is known as a wrinkle releaser.

A fabric softener reduces the harsh feel of items that were dried in open-air, adds a fragrance to the laundry, and/or imparts anti-static properties to textiles. In contrast to laundry detergents, fabric softeners may be regarded as a kind of after-treatment laundry aid.

Fabric softeners are either in the form of a liquid that is typically added during the washing machine rinse cycle, or as a dryer sheet which is added to a tumble dryer before drying begins. Liquid fabric softeners may be added manually during the rinse cycle, automatically if the machine has a dispenser designed for this purpose, through use of a dispensing ball, or poured onto a piece of laundry to be dried (such as a wash cloth) which is then put into the dryer.

Washing machines put great mechanical stress on textiles, particularly natural fibers such as cotton and wool. The fibers at the fabric's surface are squashed and frayed, and this condition hardens into place when drying the laundry in open-air, giving the textiles a harsh feel. Using a tumble dryer results in a softening effect, but it is less than what can be achieved through the use of a fabric softener.

As of 2009, nearly 80% of US households had a mechanical clothes dryer. As such, fabric softeners are primarily used there to impart anti-static properties and/or a fragrance to laundry.