Everybody knows that the best laundry detergents, whether powder, liquid or pods, lift stains and kill bacteria. However, you might not know that every time you wash your clothes in your washing machine or tumble dryer, you could damage the fabric leading to faded colours, smelly odours and itchy, rough clothes. Hence why choosing the best fabric softener can be so important. It is one of those magical cleaning products that can prevent damage and transform sweaty, tired clothes into freshly smelling, soft and pristine garments that you’ll want to wear again and again. Cost per wash: 7p | Number of washes: 21 | Litres: 750ml | Brand: Surcare | Format: Liquid | Scent: Fragrance-Free | Skin type: Sensitive | Feature: Vegan-friendly, Fragrance Free, Allergy UK approved What we like With Lenor's Burst of Sunshine Fabric Conditioner, you can breathe in the fresh scent of summer, no matter the season. When you use this fabric softener, all your clothes, bed sheets, and towels can enjoy the soft freshness and warm fragrances of linden blossom and calendula flowers with subtle notes of amber and Siam wood for up to a week. No, fabric softeners aren’t the same as fabric conditioners; although fabric softeners and fabric conditioners are two terms used interchangeably, they do have different functions and purposes.

The reason that there is no fabric softener in Fairy’s Non-Bio Pods is because fabric softeners can cause all types of allergic reactions from our skin. Everyone has very different skin and some skin types are more sensitive and may have an intense reaction to fabric softener.Fabric softeners soften your clothes, improve their feel, and make them smell better (which can be optional as some are fragrance-free). Fabric conditioners reduce static cling, minimise colour fading, reduce the snagging and stretching of fabrics, and some also contain a fragrance. Cost per wash: 5p | Number of washes: 166 | Litres: 5L | Brand: Ecover | Format: Liquid | Scent: Apple and Almond | Skin type: Sensitive | Feature: Palm oil free, vegan-friendly, dermatologically tested What we like What fabric softener is designed to do is to help your clothes stay looking nice and new for longer, while also making them feel beautifully soft against your skin, as they smooth out the fibers of your clothes. What’s more, they can also provide your garments with a captivating, fresh scent. We use Ecozone Bio Laundry Liquid with their tallow-free fabric softener.” (Suggested by Mumsnet user SimonJT) Our verdict

Using too much fabric softener can damage your clothes and fabrics and leave a residue that won’t wash off, which, in turn, can attract more dirt. Using too much fabric softener can also turn whites grey and clog up your washing machine. What is the best fabric softener?

Surcare has dedicated the last 30 years to providing products that are, first and foremost, kind to your skin. With 0% fragrance, enzymes, acids or dyes, they’ve earned themselves an Allergy UK accreditation and the hard-won seal of approval from Mumsnetters across the forums. They have also been awarded the Skin Health Alliance seal, which indicates how safe they are for sensitive skin. Flame-resistant clothing (such as children's sleepwear or baby clothes): Fabric softener reduces the flame-resistant coating on clothes, increasing flammability. This also allows for anyone with more sensitive skin to find the fabric softener that works best with their skin type. In addition, it is worth looking out for fabric softeners that are free from added dyes. However, it is worth remembering that this is not a hard-and-fast rule as different people will have sensitivities to different chemicals, dyes and additives.