If you want to wear crisp collared shirts and designer T-shirts but can’t stand how they feel when they’re fresh out of the dryer, fabric softener is the answer. When shopping for softener, you’ll see a number of terms, like extra-soft and ultra-luxe, but what do they actually mean? And how do you know which one is best for you?
To help, we rounded up the best commercial fabric softener on the market.
Read on to find your new favorite.
Our Editor’s Best Commercial Fabric Softener Reviews
- Unmatched Softness: Experience the pinnacle of fabric softening with this fabric softener that ensures your clothes are luxuriously soft and comfortable
- Long-Lasting Freshness: Invigorating scent of a fresh spring day lingers on fabric, creating a delightful and enduring fragrance that accompanies you throughout the day
- Exceptional Concentration: Concentrated liquid preserves garment integrity and ensures a vibrant scent; 5-gallon size is capable of handling up to 640 loads, providing exceptional value and convenience; Includes easy-dispensing pump
- Versatile Compatibility: Caters to both standard or High Efficiency (HE) machines, ensuring everyone can enjoy ultra-fresh, incredibly soft clothes
- Septic System Friendly: Suitable for septic systems when used according to the provided directions, prioritizing not only the longevity of your clothes but also the health of your septic system
- COMMERCIAL USE: Specifically formulated to deliver long-lasting freshness for uniforms, towels, linens, and more.
- VERSATILE: Can be used in both commercial and residential washing machines. Suitable for use in HE machines.
- EFFICIENT: Concentrated formula fights tough commercial odors and softens fibers in just one wash.
- CLEAN & FRESH SCENT: Leave a positive impression with a light, refreshing scent and sensitive skin-friendly ingredients.
- BULK: Bottle contains 140 fl oz of liquid fabric softener, enough for 190 loads of laundry.
- DUAL BENEFITS: Experience the dual benefits of softness and freshness with this Downy liquid fabric softener
- ENHANCED FRESHNESS: Enjoy 3X more freshness with our fabric softener liquid, offering a longer-lasting scent that keeps clothes smelling great
- EASY TO USE: Simply measure and pour this liquid fabric softener into your machine's fabric softener drawer or directly into the agitator
- UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY: This Downy fabric conditioner is safe on all washing machines, making it a versatile laundry softener
- LAUNDRY ESSENTIAL: Make this liquid laundry softener part of your regular routine for softer, fresher clothes with every wash
- GENTLE CARE: Our premium liquid softener safely conditions fabrics with a blend of natural ingredients to help maintain softness through multiple washes.
- LONG-LASTING SOFTNESS: Formulated to soften over 5,000 loads of laundry in a single 5-gallon container, helping maximize the lifetime of towels, sheets and clothing.
- TRUSTED PERFORMANCE: As the global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions, Ecolab products are designed to deliver consistent, reliable softening for all your laundry needs.
- EASY TO USE: Just add the recommended amount to your regular wash cycle and let our concentrated formula thoroughly soften fabrics throughout the entire wash and rinse process.
- SAFE FOR ALL FABRICS: Hypoallergenic and dye-transfer resistant, our premium softener is gentle enough for even the most delicate items like baby clothes, colored garments and activewear.
- Luxurious Softness: Experience the pinnacle of fabric softening with this fabric softener that ensures your clothes are luxuriously soft
- Freshness That Lasts: Invigorating clean fresh scent lingers on fabric, creating a delightful and enduring fragrance that accompanies you throughout the day
- Economical Excellence: 5 concentrated gallons capable of handling up to 640 loads, providing an extended period of superior softness and freshness
- Universal Compatibility: Caters to both standard or HE machines, ensuring everyone can enjoy ultra-fresh, incredibly soft, and long-lasting scented clothes
- Septic Safe and Convenient: Safe for septic systems when used as directed and protects your plumbing and clothes. Includes a user-friendly pump for mess-free, convenient dispensing
- Clothesline Fresh Laundry Care
- PH: 5.0-6.0
- Reduces the rigidity of fabrics which reduces fiber damage and can prolong fabric life as well as aid in the ironing process by reducing wrinkles
- Contains anti-static agents which help to prevent static charge build-up allowing washed fabrics to have a smooth, fluffy feel right out of the dryer.
- DUAL-FUNCTION FORMULA – Combines laundry sour and fabric softener in one step, designed for use in the final rinse cycle to support efficient commercial laundry processes
- HELPS NEUTRALIZE RESIDUES – Low pH formulation helps reduce residual alkalinity from detergents, supporting proper fabric finishing and consistent results
- COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY USE – Ideal for on-premise laundry (OPL), hotels, healthcare facilities, laundromats, and industrial laundry systems
- IMPROVES FABRIC FEEL – Helps reduce stiffness and enhances softness of linens, towels, and garments after washing
- BULK 5 GALLON SUPPLY – Cost-effective size for high-volume operations; compatible with automated dispensing systems or manual dosing setups
- SUPER FRESH BLAST AROMA: Liquid fabric softener that adds a Super Fresh Blast scent to washed fabrics
- ODOR DEFENSE HELP: Product formulated to help with tough odors at the source during the rinse step
- SOFT FEEL: Laundry softener designed to provide softness you can feel in everyday clothing and linens
- MATCHES ODOR DEFENSE LINE: Can be used together with other Gain Odor Defense items for a coordinated fragrance routine
- DYE FREE FORMULA: Liquid fabric softener made without dyes for users who prefer a no dye option
- A fabric softener that protects clothes from stretching, fading, and fuzz
- Fights static cling and softens fabrics
- Long-lasting scent helps keep clothes smelling fresh
Best Commercial Fabric Softener Buying Guide
Before choosing the best commercial fabric softener you should consider following options:
1. Water-Based vs. Traditional Fabric Softener: First and foremost, it’s important to note that there are two main types of fabric softeners: water-based and traditional.
While both products are designed to soften clothes and reduce wrinkles, traditional fabric softeners contain a higher concentration of detergent and fragrance.
As a result, traditional fabric softeners are better at reducing water-based stains and odors in addition to oil-based ones. On the other hand, water-based products are better at reducing static and reducing wrinkles.
It’s important to note that some water-based products also contain traditional detergents, so read the labels to determine what you prefer.
2. How Long It Lasts: The overall life of a fabric softener will depend on how it’s used.
Some commercial products, such as liquid sheets, are designed to be used over a short period of time.
Others, such as dryer balls, can be used over a longer period of time.
The amount of softener you use will also have an impact. If you only add a small amount, it will last for a shorter period of time.
3. How It’s Applied: There are many different ways to add a fabric softener to your wash.
Some people prefer to use dryer balls, while others prefer to wrap wet sheets around their laundry.
If you’re going to use wet sheets, you need to make sure they’re fully wrung out before throwing them in the dryer.
Another important factor is whether you’re going to add the softener to the wash or the dryer. There are benefits and drawbacks of each method.
For example, adding softener to the wash will reduce static and reduce wrinkles, but it will also reduce the amount of softener you use.
On the other hand, adding softener to the dryer will increase the amount of softener you use and reduce water spots, but it will increase the amount of time your dryer will run.
4. Type Of Softener: There are many different types of fabric softeners on the market.
Some are designed to reduce static, while others are designed to reduce wrinkles.
Other products are designed to reduce both. It’s important to take the time to consider what your needs are so that you don’t purchase more than you need.
Some products are also designed to reduce odors. If you’re looking for a product that can reduce odors, you’ll want to choose one with a higher concentration of water-based softener.
On the other hand, if you’re only looking to reduce wrinkles and static, you can purchase a product that contains a higher concentration of traditional detergent.
What else you should know about commercial fabric softener
1. What are the benefits of using a commercial fabric softener?
The benefits of using a commercial fabric softener are that it can make clothes feel softer and smell fresher. It can also help to reduce static cling.
2. How does a commercial fabric softener work?
The fabric softener coat the fabrics with a thin layer of lubricant. This lubricant makes the fabric feel softer and smell fresher.
3. What are the ingredients in a commercial fabric softener?
The ingredients in a commercial fabric softener are usually a combination of chemicals including cationic surfactants, fragrance, colorants, and preservatives.
4. How do I choose the right commercial fabric softener for my needs?
When choosing a commercial fabric softener, you will want to consider the following factors: the type of fabrics you will be softening, the size of your laundry loads, the hardness of your water, and your personal preferences.
5. How do I use a commercial fabric softener properly?
To properly use a commercial fabric softener, you should follow the instructions on the product label. Generally, you will add the fabric softener to your washing machine along with your laundry detergent. You may need to use more or less fabric softener depending on the size of your load and the type of fabric you are washing.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best commercial fabric softener. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best commercial fabric softener will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.