26 Sept 2026
- Use it when you want softer, more fragrant laundry
- Add it to the fabric conditioner compartment (not in with your detergent)
- Fabric Conditioner is released automatically during the final rinse
- Skip it for microfibre, sportswear, cloth nappies and some specialist fabrics
- Always check the garment care label if you’re unsure
- smol needs just 8ml per standard wash
- smol Fabric Conditioner is now twice as soft after just 3 washes¹
- Choose The Outdoorsy One or Sensitive Peach & Jasmine
Fabric conditioner. Fabric softener. Fab Con.
Whatever you call it… its job is simple: to make laundry feel softer and smell lovely.
But when should you use it? Where does it go? And are there times when you’re better off not using it? Let’s find out.
What does fabric conditioner actually do?
Clothes go through a lot of tumbling and spinning and friction in a wash cycle which can leave fibres feeling a little rough.
Fabric Conditioner works during the final rinse, coating and smoothing those fibres to help your laundry feel softer.
It can also add fragrance and with smol, that fragrance is touch-activated, staying locked into fibres and releasing as fabrics move.
When should I use fabric conditioner?
Use it whenever you want to add softness and fragrance to suitable everyday laundry.
Great with Fabric Conditioner | Best to check or skip |
|---|---|
Everyday clothing | Microfibre cloths |
Nightwear | |
Jumpers (follow care label advicecare label advice) | Flame-resistant fabric |
Laundry that feels rough from hard water | If the care label says to skip it |
And what about towels?
Fabric conditioner can make them beautifully soft, but repeated use can reduce absorbency because softening ingredients coat the fibres.
Are there times you should NOT use fabric conditioner?
Some fabrics need treating differently, so always check the care label first.
- Cashmere and wool need special care. Fabric Conditioner is usually not recommended.
- Sportswear: fabric conditioner can affect the moisture-wicking properties of these fabrics, making them less effective at keeping you dry.
- Microfibre cloths and towels: It can leave a coating on fibres that reduces their absorbency.
- Waterproof clothing: Fabric Conditioner can interfere with water-repellent finishes. Check the manufacturer's washing instructions.
Always let the care label call the shots.
When does fabric conditioner go in the washing machine?
Not at the same time as your detergent.
Detergent tackles the dirt during the main wash. Fabric conditioner comes along during the final rinse and your washing machine sorts that bit for you.
Just put your Fabric Conditioner into the correct section of the machine drawer before starting the wash. It’s usually labelled with the flower symbol, although washing machines vary, so check your manual if you're not sure.
Your machine will then release it at just the right moment.
How much fabric conditioner should I use?
Probably less than you think.
smol Fabric Conditioner is super-concentrated, so you need just 4 pumps (8ml) per standard wash. Which is tiny compared with up to 35ml per wash for some big brands.
And despite that tiny dose, our improved formula now delivers double the softness after 3 washes¹ compared with our previous Fabric Conditioner AND it’s as soft as the big brands.
What if I have sensitive skin?
There's now a smol Fabric Conditioner for that too.
Sensitive Peach & Jasmine Fabric Conditioner is exceptionally gentle on skin, dermatologically tested and accredited by the Skin Health Alliance.
It's delicately fragranced rather than fragrance-free, with Peach & Jasmine for a calm, comforting scent that isn't overpowering.
Which smol Fabric Conditioner should I choose?
There are two:
- The Outdoorsy One: our original Fabric Conditioner that’s easy-breezy with apple & orange blossom.
- Peach & Jasmine (Sensitive): where everything's just peachy (and jasmine-y).
Both give you the same improved softness, same tiny 8ml dose and long-lasting, touch-activated fragrance.
When to use fabric conditioner FAQs.
¹ After 3 washes, based on panel testing vs previous smol Fabric Conditioner.
Catherine Green, Cleaning Expert
Catherine has been on a mission to revolutionise the way we tackle chores since the dawn of smol and is an advocate for making more sustainable living accessible to all, with a strong focus in cleaning that’s heavy on dirt, lighter on the planet and gentle on the skin. Catherine has tested hundreds of hacks to make tackling chores easier, safer, and better for the planet and our homes.
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