Are You Using Too Much Fabric Softener? An Expert Shares How Much You Should Actually Use

Just as with laundry detergent, using the correct amount of liquid fabric softener is crucial to getting the best results. Using too much fabric softener results in product buildup that can alter the feel of your clothes or trap odor-causing bacteria that can leave freshly washed items smelling less than fresh. But use too little, and you'll miss out on the benefits of adding it in the first place.

To find out how much fabric softener you should actually use, we talked to a laundry expert who shares everything you need to know before tossing your next load in the washer.

How to Use Liquid Fabric Softener in Your Laundry

Before deciding how much softener to use, it's important to make sure you're adding it to your washing machine properly. Wang provided these instructions for properly loading liquid fabric softener into different types of washing machines.

For top-loaders with a center agitator: With top-loading washing machines with a center agitator, use the product cap to measure the recommended amount of fabric softener based on load size. Pour the fabric softener into the washer’s fabric softener cup, which is typically found in the center agitator column of top-loading washing machines. The machine will automatically dispense the fabric softener during the rinse cycle. 

For front-loaders and HE top-loaders: With front-loaders (both high-efficiency and regular), use the cap to measure the recommended amount of fabric softener for the load size. Pour the fabric softener into the washer’s dispenser tray. If your machine requires it, activate the softener cycle, which is called the “softener cycle” or “deep fill rinse.” The machine automatically dispenses the fabric softener at the correct point in the washer’s cycle. Use this same method for high-efficiency top-loaders.

For washers without a dispenser: If your washer doesn’t have a fabric softener dispenser, use a fabric softener dispenser ball. Fill the ball with the correct amount of fabric softener and place it directly in the drum of the machine at the beginning of the cycle. The spinning action of the washer’s rinse cycle will release the ball’s lid, releasing the fabric softener automatically. 

Liquid fabric softener dosing can vary across brands and formulations, so consult and follow the package instructions for the best results. “In general, the main thing to consider when dosing liquid fabric softener is how large your load of laundry is,” Wang says. Fabric softener needs to be distributed among all items in the washer, so the amount used should be proportional to the size of the load. 

There are several ways to determine load size—by approximate weight, armload, number of items being washed, and drum fullness. Wang recommends using drum fullness as a guide for fabric softener dosing. “If you’re filling your machine full of clothes, you should be dosing to the highest bar on the measuring cap,” she says. 

How to Determine Drum Fullness

• Medium load: When the drum is half full, use the lowest bar on the measuring cup for the correct liquid fabric softener dose.
• Large load: When the drum is three-quarters full, use the middle bar on the measuring cup for the correct liquid fabric softener dose.
• Extra-large load: When the drum is full but not packed tightly, use the highest bar on the measuring cup for the correct liquid fabric softener dose.

“One tip when loading your machine is to leave at least 6 inches of space between the top of your clothes and the top of the washer drum. While it’s tempting to stuff your washer full of clothes, clothes need space to tumble and move around; otherwise cleaning performance and softening performance can be negatively impacted,” Wang adds.