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
- Dawn Professional Manual Pot and Pan Detergent is a highly concentrated liquid dishwashing soap that has the grease-fighting power of Dawn, specifically formulated to help remove greasy food soils from pots, pans, utensils, and other wares at your business. This liquid dish soap's mix of proprietary surfactants cleans double the pots and pans per sink with 2X longer lasting suds - so you and your business save time and money*.
- Tough on 100% of Everyday Commercial Grease and Includes 1 Hand Pump
- Clean 2X the Pots & Pans per sink with 2X Longer Lasting Suds - Saving You Time & Money
- Fill up to 512 Sinks per Case and 128 Sinks per Bottle*
- Fill up to 512 Sinks per Case and 128 Sinks per Bottle*
- Long-Lasting Freshness: Fragrance-free and dye-free, which is great for sensitive skin
- 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
- Specially Formulated for Professionals to Deliver Softness and Long-Lasting Freshness on Uniforms, Towels, Linens and more
- Fights Odors: Helps Your Business Fight Tough Commercial Odors for Lasting Freshness
- Softens Fabrics: Downy Professional Helps Soften Fibers in One Wash
- Clean & Fresh Scent
- Ready to use in Commercial and Residential Machines Across Industries: Foodservice, Hospitality, Healthcare, Salons, Spas, and more.
- Unmatched Softness: Experience the pinnacle of fabric softening with this fabric softener that ensures your clothes are luxuriously soft and comfortable
- Long-Lasting Freshness: Soothing lavender fragrance on fabric, creating a delightful and enduring aroma that accompanies you throughout the day
- Exceptional Concentration: Holds 5 concentrated gallons capable of handling up to 640 loads, providing an extended period of superior softness and freshness; Includes easy-dispensing pump
- Versatile Compatibility: Caters to both standard or HE machines, ensuring everyone can enjoy ultra-fresh, incredibly soft, and long-lasting scented 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
- 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
- Unrivaled Cleaning Power: Offers a deep 6X cleaning power, ensuring your clothes receive the ultimate level of cleanliness and stain removal
- Lasting Freshness: Infused with a spring fresh scent fabric softener, and powerful odor eliminators, leaving your clothes clean and soft with long-lasting freshness
- Concentrated Efficiency: Washing detergent and softener combo has the ability to tackle up to 640 loads per 5-gallon bucket and is highly concentrated, providing exceptional value and convenience
- Versatile Compatibility: Engineered for modern living and is High Efficiency (HE) certified, ensuring compatibility with all washing machines including HE and septic systems
- Effortless Laundry Soap Dispensing: Bulk laundry detergent includes a user-friendly pump for added convenience in your routine, making dispensing a breeze
- COMMERCIAL STRENGTH FORMULA: 5 gallon (640 oz.) concentrated liquid fabric softener designed for high-volume commercial laundry operations, treating up to 16,000 lb. of laundry per container
- EFFICIENT PERFORMANCE: Reduces extraction and drying times to shorten laundry cycles, allowing you to process more loads while lowering energy costs per cycle
- SUPERIOR FABRIC CARE: Cleans, softens, and freshens towels, aprons, linens, and other fabrics while eliminating static, wrinkles, and sticking for a silky smooth feel on both natural and synthetic fibers
- AUTOMATED DISPENSER COMPATIBLE: Specially formulated for direct dispensing from shipping container through automated injector systems, eliminating hand-feeding and spillage for accurate, waste-free ratios
- EASY TO USE: Apply 2 oz. to 4 oz. per 100 lb. of wash under normal laundering conditions for optimal results with fresh scent
- ORIGINAL GAIN FRESHNESS: Liquid fabric softener with a light, dewy Original Gain scent for fresh laundry
- SOFTNESS AND STATIC HELP: Fabric softener liquid that helps make clothes feel softer and helps decrease static
- AROMABOOST TECHNOLOGY: Fabric conditioner with AromaBoost technology for freshness that lasts from wash until wear
- MATCHES OTHER GAIN PRODUCTS: Laundry fabric softener that matches with Gain Laundry Detergent, Scent Booster Beads, and Dryer Sheets
- WORKS IN ALL MACHINES: Liquid laundry softener suitable for top load, front load, HE, and non HE washers
- 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
- MINIMIZE WASTE: Keep your towels, sheets, uniforms, clothes, and other fabrics fresh, soft, and odor-free with DETCO Pink, the heavy-duty concentrate that delivers exceptional cleaning power and reduces plastic waste for a more sustainable laundry routine
- VERSATILE WRINKLE-FREE SOFTENER: Suitable for both regular and commercial washer models, this ultra-concentrated wrinkle-fighting softener adapts to your laundry needs, extending the lifespan of fabrics by reducing wear and tear during washing
- CLEAN AND REFRESH COLORS & LARGE LOADS: Perfect for enhancing softness while reducing static cling and fading, DETCO Pink Fabric Softener maintains the plush feel and vibrant colors of towels, sheets, and fabrics, wash after wash
- EXCEPTIONAL FRESHNESS: Infused with a gentle floral-citrus fragrance, this super-concentrated formula not only removes stubborn lingering odors and cuts down on drying time but also revitalizes your fabrics, leaving them fresh, fluffy, and inviting
- PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA: Offering great products with great quality, this softener concentrate yields powerful results; Residential washing machines require 1/2 ounces per load; Commercial washers require up to 2 ounces per load
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.