Will using fabric softener with hand washed clothes help them from being hard when drying them outside?

Question

And if you add softener when you are rinsing them, do you really need to rinse out all the softener, or are you just rinsing the soap first? Can anybody explain what they do?

Answer 1

it depends on the clothes you use and the fabric softener so try and find one like bounce and things with high quality  

Answer 2

Yes, it will make them much softer than without it.  

Answer 3

yes it will help.  

Answer 4

I think it wouldn't work.Your clothes might be softer than without softener but the detergent wouldn't get washed off as easily as in a machine which might give you strong scents and may even react with your skin. Else make sure you rinse it thoroughly before drying.

Answer 5

You want the soap out first before adding the softener.  The softener are "chemical lubricants" that is they surfactants that adhere to the fibers....the old positive charge/negative charge stuff.  Don't want soap interferring with the bonding.

Technically there are different types of softeners, not that we as mere mortals need to know this, but we should be aware softeners work best in a near neutral or slightly acidic water, pH between 6 and 7.  

Would softeners help with hung clothes? Yes, but not to the extent as having them also tumbled and fluffed in the dryer.  Softeners build up on closes over time, making towels less absorbent and maybe contributing to dinginess.  

Should you rinse them after the softener application?  Depends if you like the smell and the concentration of the softener.  If you are not careful about measuring, then yes, an extra quick rinse won't hurt.    

Answer 6

You will want to rinse the detergent out of washing, whether it is hand washed or machine washed. You do not need to rinse out liquid fabric softener.

I used to hang my wash and used liquid fabric softener and found that it didn't make a bit of difference to the stiffness of the clothes upon removing them from the line. I used it more for the fresh scent. A quick tumble in the dryer will remove the stiffness though. Just use the low or no heat setting.

I recently stopped using fabric softener as it tends to build up on clothes and make towels and linens less absorbent. I now use vinegar in my rinse water. The clothes, towels and linens come out fluffy and their absorbency is not affected at all. Surprisingly, vinegar also gives my laundry a nice and fresh scent. It is also much less expensive than branded fabric softeners. I just use a full Downy ball and throw it into my machine when I start it. Using vinegar also means I am using less petroleum products, a definite advantage in today's petrochemical loving world.

Answer 7

If you want to get rid of the hard feeling from hang drying, put the clothes into the dryer on air fluff (you don't have to use heat) for just a minute or two.  They get stiff because there is no movement when drying.  That is why your clothes are not stiff on a windy day

Answer 8

Not sure about that but..fabric softners (the sheets) are BAD. Cancer causing and other disease causing. And phosphate in any detergent is the same, cancer causing.