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As a responsible citizen, you never want to create any negative impacts on the environment. But sometimes, we unknowingly do it just by incorrectly disposing of regular household waste and laundry products. It happens even more in the case of fabric softeners.
So, how to dispose of fabric softener in the right way?
The best way to dispose of fabric softeners is by using them all up. Aside from that, you can pour the softener down the drain though it’s a bit risky. And when it’s to the container of the softener, recycling is the best option for you.
It’s just a little about the methods. To properly learn about them, you should complete reading the whole article. I’ve explained everything step-by-step and with their pros and cons. So, read on.
Can You Dispose of Fabric Softener?
Before you want to know the way of disposing of fabric softener you should know whether you can dispose of fabric softener or not.
Yes, you can dispose of fabric softener and recycle the container or bottle it comes in. But sometimes the product contains some harmful ingredients. In that case, you can’t dispose of them by whatever method you want.
Before You Do It – Read the Label of the Fabric Softeners
Generally, most laundry products can be disposed of the same way as regular household waste. But it’s always necessary to check the label of the product. The same is applicable to fabric softeners. But why?
For example, if your fabric softener has Triclosan in it, then you can’t pour them into the drain. Triclosan remaining in the softener can harm aquatic life.
Did you know? FDA has banned the incorporation of triclosan from household soaps. (On 9th September 2016)
So, you don’t know which chemical in your fabric softener needs additional care while disposing of. You’ll get it by reading the label.
How to Dispose of Fabric Softener?
Generally, there are 4 ways of disposing of fabric softeners. In this segment, I’ll explain them individually, but before that, a quick overview table is here for you. Checking the table at a glance, you’ll understand which method you should focus on.
| Methods | Recommendation | Difficulty/Cost |
| Use it all up | Highly Recommended | Moderate/No cost |
| Pour it down the drain | Not Recommended | Easy/No cost |
| Dilute it and put it in the trash | Moderate | Easy/No cost |
| Recycle the container | Recommended | Easy/Costly |
Now let’s move on to the in-depth discussion.
Way 1: Use it All up
The best way to dispose of fabric softener is to use it all up as a household cleaner. Let’s see how to do it.
- If you have a nearly empty bottle of fabric softener, then empty the remaining softener into a spray bottle.
- Dilute with water, using a 1:1 ratio
- Use the mixture to clean surfaces and eliminate odors in your home.
Pros and Cons of Using it All Up
| Pros | Cons |
| Save you money on buying a new cleaner. Prevent any waste. | The wrong ratio while mixing up will not be beneficial anyway. It’ll just cost some time for you. |
Way 2: Pour it Down the Drain
Here’s the second method of disposing of fabric softeners, and this one is even easier.
You can just pour it down the drain. However, this is only recommended for small amounts of fabric softener. Because pouring too much down the drain can cause clogs and other issues with your plumbing. Aside from that, it can sometimes be dangerous for aquatic life. (Only if the product contains Triclosan )
Don’t worry. To avoid such problems (Plumbing related) make sure to run plenty of water down the drain after pouring the fabric softener. It will help the softeners flush through the pipes.
NB: Never pour fabric softener down drains that are already clogged or slow-moving. It’ll make the problem worse
Pros and Cons of Pouring it Down the Drain
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s a very simple and easy way. | Can cause different issues with plumbing, such as clogging. Aquatic life can get harmed by it. |
Way 3: Dilute it And Put it in the Trash
If pouring fabric softener down the drain is not an option, you can dilute the product with water and put it in the trash. This will help prevent harmful chemicals from leaching into the soil or groundwater. Just make sure to seal the container properly to prevent any spills.
Pros and Cons of Diluting it and Putting it in the Trash
| Pros | Cons |
| Completely safe for the environment. | If you forget to seal it or don’t seal the container properly, it may spill. |
Way 4: Recycle the Container
So far I’ve talked about the methods for disposing of the fabric softener. But when it comes in a bottle or container, recycling the fabric softener bottle is also necessary.
Generally, fabric softener bottles are made of plastic, which can be recycled. To do so, check with your local recycling program to see whether they accept plastic bottles or not. Also, check if they have any special instructions for recycling fabric softener containers.
Now let’s see the process.
- First, check the pickup schedule according to your address.
- Sign-up if required.
- Rinse out the empty fabric softener bottle and remove the cap
- Place the bottle in your recycling bin or drop it off at the recycling center
NB: Charges may apply (Should be below $5 per bag. Depending on your location)
Pros and Cons of Recycling the Container
| Pros | Cons |
| Hassle-free and environment-friendly. | Generally costs you money. |
Final Words
You are at the final segment of this article, and I hope you now have no doubt about how to dispose of fabric softener.
I’ve added 4 methods, And I’m pretty sure you’ve found the right method to do it. Still, if you ask for the best way to dispose of fabric softeners then I would suggest the 1st one – Use it all up.
Now, before I leave, here’s additional information for you. Don’t forget to check the rules and regulations for the disposal of waste in your state.