A recent hack has been doing the rounds this week, after one mum shared her trick for keeping her house smelling fresh.
On TikTok, the woman known as Nic shared a video of her topping up her reed diffusers with fabric softener, with over 10,000 people liking the video.
Many in the comments praised the idea, while others recommended scented disinfectant in diffusers and oil burners instead.
We absolutely don’t want to be fun-sponges, but we have to make it known that these probably aren’t the best ideas.
In the first instance, it’s worth noting that this doesn’t have an oil or carrier element, so probably just won’t work very well at diffusing and fragrancing your home.
Some report that the formula of some softeners can make the reeds go mouldy too, which definitely takes away from the benefit of the scent.
Next, we have to highlight that most fabric softeners available here in the UK bear warnings that, if applied to certain fabrics, they can remove the fire resistant coating on them and make them more flammable.
For that reason, it’s recommended that you only use these liquids in the way they’re intended.
Although the softener itself isn’t flammable, getting it on curtains, sofas, or bedding could be dangerous if there was a fire.
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That’s before you consider the fact that these chemicals weren’t tested to be used like this, and some people could experience respiratory problems to the neat softener if already predisposed.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘Life hacks can be handy, but don’t try to be too clever. Read the instructions and follow them.
‘Mixing chemicals designed for a specific purpose with another chemical could be dangerous. Chemicals should be stored carefully in suitable containers and placed on a stable surface where they won’t be knocked over.’
Deyan Dimitrov, founder of Laundryheap added: ‘You should never use fabric softener as a diffuser liquid.
‘Years ago, the Flammable Fabrics Act of 1953 ran several tests on the safety of fabric conditioners and revealed that they can reduce the flame resistance of textiles due to the build-up of chemicals present.
‘On top of this, the chemical present in fabric softener can also cause respiratory problems. So using them as a diffuser could not only cause a fire but could also cause respiratory issues.
‘Bearing this in mind, it would be very dangerous to use fabric softeners as a diffuser either in a decanter with sticks or a plug-in diffuser. Especially if you’re lighting candles around the house, it’s a recipe for disaster.’
It’s not a given that you’ll experience a fire or other issues when trying this hack, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Buying diffuser refills is often around the same price as fabric softener (in shops like Dunelm and The Range) so stick with that for a worry-free fragrance.
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