Laundry Detergent vs Fabric Softener: What’s the Difference (and Do You Need Both)?

What’s the difference between laundry detergent and fabric softener? These two common household cleaners provide totally different functions. And no, you cannot use fabric softener as a replacement for laundry detergent. Trust us on this one. 

Laundry detergent is used during the wash cycle to remove dirt, sweat, oils, and stains. Fabric softener reduces static and makes fabrics feel softer by adding a coating. But fabric softener can also cause problems, including causing buildup and trapping residue.

Clean People is your trusted source on all things eco-friendly home cleaning. We’ll break down the laundry detergent vs fabric softener debate so you can choose the right product for your family’s needs. You’ll also learn what separates our eco-friendly laundry products from the rest!

Laundry Detergent vs Fabric Softener (Quick Comparison)

The Role of Laundry Detergent

Laundry detergent is used for cleaning your clothes after wear, removing oils, stains, odors, sweat, and dirt. You should use laundry detergent in every load, as it cleans the fibers of your garments and leaves everything smelling fresh.

Laundry detergent comes in many different forms, including laundry detergent sheets, laundry detergent pods, and liquid detergent. But not all detergents are created equal. Many common brands are full of harmful chemicals and harsh ingredients.

At Clean People, we make laundry products that are better for you and better for the environment. We leave out the harsh ingredients, creating products that are vegan, hypoallergenic, and cruelty-free. Oh, and they really work!

What is Fabric Softener?

Fabric softener is a laundry additive used during the rinse cycle in the washing machine. It works by coating your clothes in a thin layer of chemicals that makes fabrics softer and reduces odors. It also reduces static cling and in some cases eliminates wrinkles.

Remember that fabric softener is not a laundry detergent alternative when you are considering fabric softener vs laundry detergent. It does not actually clean your clothes. Fabric softener can actually have a negative effect overall: The layer of chemicals can trap odors and leave residue.

Some types of fabric softener can be used in the dryer instead, usually in the form of dryer sheets. This type of fabric softener tends to have fewer negative effects on your clothes versus the liquid fabric softener that you pour into the washing machine.

What’s the Difference Between Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener?

Laundry detergent vs fabric softener have very different uses and effects on your clothes. Let’s break down the differences between these two products.

Purpose in the Wash Cycle

Laundry detergent is the only product used during the wash cycle. The purpose of detergent is to clean your clothes and remove odors, stains, smells, sweat, dirt, and oils. Whether your clothes are lightly worn or covered in mud, laundry detergent plays an important role in making everything look and smell fresh.

There are different kinds of laundry detergent out there, including laundry detergent sheets vs pods, that offer alternatives to liquid detergent. Detergent sheets and pods can help you more accurately measure how much detergent should go in your machine and are more eco-friendly.

How Each Interacts With Fabric Fibers

Laundry detergent vs fabric softener interact with fabric fibers in very different ways. Detergent (whether that is laundry sheets vs liquid or pods) uses surfactants and builders to clean fibers.

These surfactants interact with laundry stains and with water. One end of the molecule attaches to the dirt, while the other attaches to the water. This breaks the surface tension of the water, allowing it to pull the dirt away from the clothes.

Fabric softener uses conditioning agents that smooth and lubricate the fibers. It is actually not doing any cleaning. Fabric softeners can provide an aesthetic appearance of softness and a nice smell, but they are often actually trapping odors and dirt in clothing fibers.

Impact on Cleaning Performance

Fabric softener vs laundry detergent yield very different cleaning performances. Laundry detergent actually removes dirt from clothing. This leads to fewer odors since the root cause of the smells is gone.

Fabric softener masks odors with fragrance instead of actually removing them. It might offer temporary relief, but those odors are still hiding under the surface. The fragrance additives in many mainstream fabric softeners can also irritate sensitive skin and aggravate allergies.

Residue Left Behind on Clothes

The residue found on clothes after a laundry cycle is one of the biggest differences between laundry detergent vs fabric softener. Detergent has a low risk of residue as long as the product is properly measured and the rinse cycle is strong.

Fabric softener often leaves residue on clothes. This is particularly pronounced on heavier items like towels. It is also a common problem with activewear and other technical sweat-wicking fabrics. Synthetic fibers may also be extra vulnerable to fabric softener residue.

Effects on Towels, Activewear, and Technical Fabrics

Towels, activewear, and technical fabrics are particularly affected by fabric softener residue. The residue can build up on towels and make them less absorbent, as it leaves a film behind. It can also damage the water-wicking properties of activewear and technical fabrics with residue.

Compatibility With HE and Front-Load Washers

Laundry detergent is compatible with both HE (high efficiency) and front-load washers. Fabric softener can be used in both of these washer types – but it is important to pour it into the dispenser drawer rather than directly onto the clothes.

If fabric softener is poured directly into your washing machine or directly onto clothes, it is more likely to leave behind waxy buildup on the inside of the machine. You are also more likely to pour in too much of the product, which can leave a filmy feeling on your clothing.

Why You May Want to Skip Fabric Softener (and What to Use Instead)

Whether you want to use laundry detergent vs fabric softener is a personal choice. That said, fabric softener can have a negative impact on the quality of your clothing. Laundry detergent is always an important addition to ensure your clothes remain clean and last a long time.

The Problems With Mainstream Fabric Softeners

Mainstream fabric softeners can contain harsh chemicals that damage clothes and lead to buildup and residue over time. Items like towels and activewear are particularly vulnerable to damage from fabric softener.

Many other fabrics and materials are also not recommended to be used with fabric softener either, including wool, delicates, nylon, fleece, microfiber, and spandex. Fabric softener is known to weaken elastic and destroy sweat-wicking technology. It also makes towels less absorbent.

Fabric softener may lead to clothes feeling softer and smelling good in the short term. In the long term, it may trap odors and dirt under the conditioning residue.

Natural Ways to Soften Clothing

The good news? There are ways to soften clothing without using fabric softeners that are better for your clothes and better for the environment. Wool dryer balls are one of the best options. Natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar can also have a softening effect.

Using high-quality laundry sheets can also improve softness and cleanliness. Choosing the best eco-friendly products for your laundry makes all the difference.

Final Thoughts on Fabric Softener vs Laundry Detergent

So, what’s the difference between laundry detergent and fabric softener? Laundry detergent cleans your clothes by removing dirt and stains while fabric softener coats your clothes in a conditioning agent that is meant to reduce static and soften fibers.

These two products have different purposes and different effects. Laundry detergent should always be included in a wash cycle. It may be better to avoid fabric softener due to its potential for damaging fabric, trapping odors, and leaving buildup on your clothes and washing machine.

Got more questions about laundry? Clean People is here to help. Is powder or liquid detergent better? Should you switch to laundry sheets? How can you make laundry eco-friendly? We have all of the answers you need and then some.

Otherwise, all that’s left to do now is stock up on the best natural laundry detergent and other household essentials at Clean People. Don’t settle for less than the best – you and your family deserve it!

Frequently asked questions

Is fabric softener basically laundry detergent?

Fabric softener vs laundry detergent has completely different properties and use cases. Laundry detergent cleans your clothes, removing dirt, buildup, stains, and more. Fabric softener is meant to add softness by coating fibers in a conditioning residue.

Can you use fabric softener as laundry detergent?

It is not recommended to use fabric softener as laundry detergent. What’s the difference between laundry detergent and fabric softener? Detergent cleans your clothes while softener is focused on reducing static and making fabric feel softer.

Are you supposed to use laundry detergent and fabric softener?

It is not necessary to use both laundry detergent and fabric softener. You should always use laundry detergent when cleaning your clothes, but fabric softener is an optional addition. Keep in mind that fabric softener is not suitable for all materials and may leave behind residue.

Do you really need fabric softener?

You do not really need fabric softener to get clean clothes. Fabric softener often has a negative effect on clothing – especially towels and activewear as well as delicate fabrics. It can leave behind a residue or film both on clothes and on the inside of your washing machine.

What shouldn’t be washed with fabric softener?

Towels, activewear, and performance materials should never be washed with fabric softener. It can also negate flame-resistant coatings on sleepwear. Fabric softener should not be used with chenille, microfiber, fleece, spandex, wools, delicate fabrics, natural fibers, and nylon.