I tested fabric softener vs. dryer sheets for two weeks each to determine which I liked using and which one gave me the best results at the end of my comparison period. Here are the results.

Consumer Reports offers tips on how to make your clothes soft and nice-smelling from your washing machine (without the gross ...

And, of course, fabric softeners. Softeners come in liquids and dissolving sheets for washing machines, or heat-activated sheets for the dryer. But do they work? And do you really need them?

Fabric softener dryer sheets can also contain harmful chemicals released into the air when heated in the dryer, so you may wish to avoid using these, even to remove static.

Dryer sheets are also fabric softeners, as they are coated with chemicals that melt at high temperatures and have the same softening and static-reducing effect as liquid softeners.

The chemicals on dryer sheets also leave a residue on clothing. Adobe Increased flammability: One thing you don’t want to do to clothes is make them more flammable, but fabric softeners do just ...

The chemicals on dryer sheets also leave a residue on clothing. Adobe Increased flammability: One thing you don’t want to do to clothes is make them more flammable, but fabric softeners do just ...

Richardson also recommended skipping fabric softener, as clothes will be soft enough with less detergent, and advised washing bed sheets once a week for optimal cleanliness.

Fabric softener is bad for your washing machine and clothes. Consumer Reports offer tips to make your clothes soft and nice-smelling without any gross residue.

“Dryer sheets may be better than liquid softener, but they can leave a residue on the dryer moisture sensor reducing its effectiveness,” he says.