3 products you don’t need for your laundry
3.6.2026
Translation: Elicia Payne
Fabric softener, scent beads, washing machine cleaners – the range of possible laundry additives is virtually endless. However, most of it just puts unnecessary strain on your health, your wallet and the environment. Here are the products you can definitely go without.
We use fabric softener for soft towels, washing machine cleaner for germ-free laundry, scent beads for a long-lasting fresh scent. Then, on top of that, fabric fresheners to make clothes smell nice after they’ve been washed. If you believe the ads, all these products make doing laundry easier and, as a result, improve our quality of life.
The catch, however, is that none of these actually clean your laundry. Instead, all sorts of chemical residues settle on your clothes, come into contact with your skin every time you wear them and potentially harm both your skin and your health, not to mention the environment (page in German).
What you really need – and what you don’t
At its core, a washing machine needs only two things to get your laundry clean: detergent and water. The key to this are the surfactants in the detergent, which loosen the dirt from the fabric. In addition, laundry detergent contains enzymes that break down proteins, fats and starch. They ensure that even stubborn stains like blood, sweat oil, or butter are removed. Finally, water softeners prevent limescale from building up inside the machine.
Done. That’s all you need for things to get clean. Everything else is just for comfort – or marketing. Sometimes both.
Three products that do more harm than good
1. Fabric softener
Ever since the 1990s, at the very latest, Lenor and other brands have taught us that fabric softener is the height of luxury when it comes to laundry. Their message is clear: without fabric softener, there are no cosy sweaters, no moments of comfort and no laundry heaven.
However, once you realise how fabric softeners work, things don’t look quite so wonderful: fabric softeners leave a wafer-thin layer of softening agents on the fibres. This layer makes it easier for the fibres to glide past each other and gives the fabric a softer feel. At the same time, this layer also leaves fragrances and other ingredients on the clothing.
For those with sensitive skin, these residues can cause itching, redness or eczema. People with atopic dermatitis react particularly quickly. And even if you don’t currently have any allergies, synthetic fragrances can sensitise your immune system.
If you want your laundry to be softer, you don’t necessarily need fabric softener. Often, all you need to do is use the correct amount of detergent. Using too much detergent can leave residue in the fibres and make your laundry feel unnecessarily stiff. It also helps to give the laundry a good shake after washing or to fluff it up in the dryer using dryer balls. This keeps it soft without leaving any additional softeners or fragrances on the fibres.
2. Washing machine cleaner
Antibacterial laundry detergents promise «germ-free» laundry by using biocides, such as benzalkonium chloride, to kill bacteria. Sounds good, and they work too.
The key question, however, is not whether washing machine cleaners are effective – but whether we actually need them in our daily lives. For most households, the answer is no. Regular laundry detergent is already very effective at removing dirt and most germs. If necessary, you can also easily wash bed linens, towels, and underwear at 60 degrees.
By using these cleaners, you introduce additional biocides into the wash cycle without gaining any significant hygienic benefit. These substances can irritate the skin and respiratory tract and are considered potential allergens. So, it’s possible you’re actually increasing your risk of allergies. In addition, experts warn against using disinfectants without a medical need, as this can contribute to the development of resistant microorganisms.
In short, for everyday laundry, fabric softeners generally don’t solve any problems that aren’t already addressed by detergent and the proper wash temperature.
3. Fabric fresheners and scent beads
Just as fabric softeners leave additional biocides on clothing, scent beads and fabric fresheners ensure that fragrances remain on the fibres. Laundry’s not supposed to just be clean – it should smell fresh for days or even weeks.
But that’s precisely where the problem lies. Fragrances are among the most common triggers of contact allergies in the home. Tests have shown that a small percentage of people exhibit clear allergic reactions to certain fragrance blends. Many people also report symptoms such as headaches, respiratory irritation or skin reactions when using heavily perfumed products.
That’s why a strong laundry detergent scent isn’t a sign that the laundry is particularly clean. It simply shows that many fragrances remain on the fibres after washing. You’re better off using an unscented, gentle laundry detergent. If you like the smell of freshly washed laundry, it’s usually enough to air it out thoroughly after drying and not leave it damp in the machine for too long.
Less (additives) = more (health)
At the end of the day, doing laundry is less complicated than the wide range of products might suggest. Most laundry additives don’t actually make your laundry any cleaner; they just improve how it feels or smells, and increase your risk of skin reactions and allergic symptoms.
If you want to keep things healthy, simple and eco-friendly, just follow these few basic rules:
- Unscented laundry detergents are usually the better choice, especially for those with sensitive skin.
- The right amount is key – using too much detergent won’t make your laundry any cleaner; instead, it leaves residue in the fibres.
- Powdered detergent or detergent sheets may be a good choice for those with sensitive skin because, unlike liquid detergents, they don’t contain any additional preservatives.
- The temperature should be appropriate for the laundry: 40 degrees is often sufficient for everyday items, while 60 degrees is recommended for towels and bedding.
Not to mention, your wallet will thank you too.
Header image: Amanda Linn/Pexels
Anna Sandner
Senior Editor
Anna.Sandner@galaxus.deScience editor and biologist. I love animals and am fascinated by plants, their abilities and everything you can do with them. That's why my favourite place is always the outdoors - somewhere in nature, preferably in my wild garden.
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