Key Takeaways Fabric softener is bad for fabric, machines, and the environment.For soft laundry without fabric softener, use baking soda or vinegar in the washer, and wool dryer balls.As a scent ...

Using a sponge soaked in fabric softener as an alternative to dryer sheets will not dispense the softener evenly throughout your garments, leaving you with stain marks on your clothes," he explained.

A Quebec coroner is warning consumers fabric softener may make certain materials more flammable. Ren-Maurice Blanger says the problem may have led to the death of a Quebec woman.