What are the common misunderstandings about using fabric softener?
This answer is a draft. It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.
Arguments over the scent of fabric softener are happening in many countries. Japan has gone as far as coining a word for it, kōgai (香害, "fragrance harm"), and in 2021 five government ministries and agencies, including the Consumer Affairs Agency and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, jointly produced a poster about it. Japanese softeners are often more strongly scented than newcomers expect, so this is worth knowing.
The rules and the numbers
- In August 2021, five ministries and agencies — the Consumer Affairs Agency, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment — jointly published an awareness poster titled "That scent — some people are struggling with it" (その香り 困っている人もいます).
- The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan receives enquiries about softener scent, and has reported a rise in the number of enquiries up to fiscal 2020.
- Fabric softener falls under the Household Goods Quality Labelling Act, which requires the ingredients, the recommended dose and precautions to be shown on the label. The dose is set per product, relative to the volume of water.
| Key point | Reason |
|---|---|
| Stick to the stated dose | Excess reduces absorbency and leaves residue |
| Do not add it with the detergent (use the automatic dispenser) | Softener ingredients cancel out the detergent |
| Go easy on towels and underwear | Reduced absorbency, residue on the skin |
| In shared spaces such as workplaces and schools, be considerate about scent strength | The point of the five-ministry poster |
[Verify] Check the month and year of the five-ministry poster, and the National Consumer Affairs Center's enquiry figures, against each body's published material.
Misunderstanding 1｜Softener boosts cleaning power
Softener has no cleaning power. It coats the surface of the fibres to change the feel and reduce static.
Misunderstanding 2｜Adding it with the detergent saves time
Detergent (anionic) and softener (cationic) cancel each other out if added together. The system is designed for softener to go in at the rinse stage, via the automatic dispenser (自動投入口) on the machine.
Misunderstanding 3｜The fluffier the towel, the better
The coating reduces absorbency. Many people in Japan use softener on towels only every few washes rather than every time.
Misunderstanding 4｜Lingering scent is proof of cleanliness
Scent is proof of ingredients left behind, which is a separate matter from cleanliness. Some people become unwell from fragrance; this has been recognised officially and led to the five-ministry campaign.
Misunderstanding 5｜Use the same amount on a baby's underwear
Underwear touches the skin directly. Even with products sold as mild, keep to the dose, and the cautious choice is to try without softener first and see how the skin reacts.
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Sources
- Consumer Affairs Agency, "That scent — some people are struggling with it (joint five-ministry poster)" [消費者庁「その香り 困っている人もいます（5省庁連名ポスター）」]
https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/consumer_safety/other/
- National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, "Information on the smell of fabric softeners" [国民生活センター「柔軟仕上げ剤のにおいに関する情報提供」]
https://www.kokusen.go.jp/news/data/n-20200409_1.html
- Consumer Affairs Agency, "Household Goods Quality Labelling Act — Miscellaneous Industrial Goods Quality Labelling Regulations" [消費者庁「家庭用品品質表示法 雑貨工業品品質表示規程」]
https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/representation/household_goods/guide/zakka/
⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.
About this article
What we share here are ideas and everyday practices passed down among people living in Japan, together with general information drawn from public sources. They are not official recommendations, and they are not professional instruction. Practices vary between households and regions.
This is general information. Results vary from person to person and depend on your own conditions and surroundings.
Please decide for yourself, using your own judgement, whether any of this suits your situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from following this article.
Follow the care label and the maker's instructions for any garment, shoe or bag. For expensive or sentimental items, ask a specialist cleaner or repairer.
Sources
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