3 Good Reasons You Should NOT Put Fabric Softener in Toilet Tank

The internet is awash with cleaning hacks, some of which work, and some that should be avoided at all costs.

You may have heard of the cleaning hack popularized several years ago by a company that suggested pouring fabric softener in a toilet tank. The thinking behind this hack is that this would be an easy way to keep your toilet bowl smelling fresh.

I’ll cut right to the chase and tell you this is NOT a good idea for a number of reasons, mainly that it may clog your pipes and harm your septic system.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s really in fabric softener, how it can damage your plumbing, and how to truly keep your toilet smelling daisy-fresh.

Why put fabric softener in toilet tank?

Something that softens and freshens up clothes must be safe to use for a toilet, right? Not necessarily.

The company that shared this toilet tank cleaning hack suggested pouring a cup of fabric softener of your choice (such as Downy) into the toilet tank. Once the liquid settles into the bottom of the tank, you can reap the benefits of a laundry-fresh clean every time you flush.

It’s like a two-in-one cleaner and air freshener, or so the thinking goes…

While fabric softener gives your laundry a pleasant fragrance, removes static, and keep your fabrics snuggly soft, it was never designed for use in toilets.

Does fabric softener really work?

Is fabric softener all that it’s cracked up to be?

Liquid fabric softeners (sometimes called fabric conditioners) are typically added to the rinse cycle of washers. They help prevent the “crunchy” texture some fabrics acquire from air drying. Conditioners also reduce wrinkles and make clothing easier to iron.¹

First, let’s look more closely at the ingredients in fabric softener and how it works in a load of laundry.

Most commercial liquid fabric softeners contain the following ingredients:¹

• Softening agents. The most common are cationic surfactants belonging to the quaternary ammonium compound (aka “quats”).
• Bluing agents which give fabrics a “bluish” hue which is deemed more pleasant than yellowish hues.
• Silicone additives which “smooth” fabrics making them easier to iron and less prone to wrinkling.
• Synthetic fragrance (which consists of dozens of unlisted chemical components).
• Synthetic colorants.
• Less frequently, whitening agents and/or antimicrobial agents are added.

So, how does fabric softener work?

When added to the rinse cycle, fabric softeners penetrate clothing and leaves a “softening” film which coats clothing and towels.

Instead of truly making fabrics softer, softeners just leave the impression of softness by coating fabrics with a chemical layer.

With regular use, this sticky film also remains in your washing machine. Actually, fabric softeners aren’t great for your washing machine either. Over time, fabric softeners coat the washer, leaving a sticky gunk that can clog components.

A tip sheet from the University of Georgia says that to keep your towels and sheets soft, AVOID using fabric softener. The liquid conditioner makes fabrics less absorbent over time and also does a number on microfiber cleaning cloths.²

3 Reasons you should NOT put fabric softener in toilet tank

Add this cleaning hack to your list of things not to try at home. Here are three solid reasons to keep this laundry cleaner away from your toilet.

1. It may clog pipes

If you have tried this cleaning hack a couple of times, no worries, your toilet and plumbing should be fine. But, if you use fabric conditioner regularly in your toilet tank, it could spell trouble for your pipes and plumbing system in the long run.

The same chemical cocktail that leaves a filmy residue on your clothing and the interior of your washer could also clog toilet components and pipes over time.

It’s important to remember that fabric softeners or conditioners are not completely water soluble. Part of each molecule is hydrophobic meaning it doesn’t mix with water.

Also, liquid softeners contain fatty petroleum or palm oil-based ingredients. These ingredients may contribute to the development of clogs.

Over time, this leads to a clogged water drain in washing machines, and a clogged toilet and pipes, if used frequently in toilet tanks.

Save yourself a hefty plumbing bill and avoid using this laundry cleaner to freshen up your throne!

2. Fabric softener is a no-no for septic systems

For those who have an onsite sewage system, stay clear of using fabric softeners altogether.

According to Purdue University, fabric softener (either from your toilet tank or laundry machine) appears on its “Dirty Dozen” list of products you should keep out of your onsite septic system.³

Fabric softener throws the balance off of an onsite septic system. It dissolves the sludge that accumulates along the bottom of the tank. This leads to a greater buildup of organic matter in the effluent (the middle layer which is rich in organic matter).

This excess organic matter needs to be treated in the absorption field. However, the fabric softener creates a barrier along the sides of the absorption trench which prevents effluent from entering the field.³

The result? Early system failure.

If you have an onsite septic system, it’s especially important to watch what goes down the drain or flush toilet.

3. Liquid fabric softener harms the environment and your health

Anything you use in your household, from a bottle of fabric softener to other chemical liquid detergents, affects your health and the quality of indoor air. And anything that you flush down the toilet or drain eventually enters waterways and the environment.

According to the U.S. Environmental Working Group (EWG), it’s best to skip fabric softeners (both liquid and dryer sheets) altogether.⁴

The EWG lists the following ingredients as “red flags” for both personal health and the health of the environment:

• Quaternary ammonium compounds (aka “quats”): While quats make clothes feel softer, they are triggers for those with asthma and may harm the reproductive system.
• Synthetic fragrance: Manufacturers may list the term “fragrance” without disclosing what chemicals they actually used in the making of the scent. You’ll find phthalates (which infuses the scent) and galaxolide (which may accumulate in the body over time). The EWG estimates over 3,000 fragrance ingredients commonly found in household products—most of which we know little about. Those with eczema, allergies, and asthma may be more sensitive to fragranced products.
• Synthetic colors and preservatives: Similar to fragrances, artificial colorants and preservatives each consist of many chemical compounds. Of particular worry in softeners is methylisothiazolinone which is a skin irritant. Glutaral, another skin irritant, may also trigger asthma and is toxic to aquatic animals. A colorant called D&C violet 2 has links to cancer.⁴

About that cleaning hack using a bottle of Fabuloso in your toilet tank…

There was (yet) another viral video showing how someone punctured a bottle of Fabuloso (a multi-purpose cleaner) and tipped it into a toilet tank. The thinking was that the Fabuloso and its fragrances will slowly leak out into the tank and leave the toilet bowl clean and smelling like a bed of roses with each flush.

This is NOT recommended for a number of reasons. After scouring the internet, many plumbers profess that the chemicals in this hack may harm certain toilet components, in particular, the flush valve.

Secondly, Fabuloso is meant to be diluted. Tipping a concentrated cleaning fluid into the toilet tank provides more cleaning power than recommended, leading to quicker wear down of your toilet. This may cause costly plumbing fees down the road.

But you can use a bit of Fabuloso as a regular toilet bowl cleaner.

Other ways to keep your toilet smelling fresh

If your bathroom regularly smells like urine or mildew, masking the odor with chemical household cleaners won’t make it go away. Often, the source of the problem lies in a leak or poor ventilation. Sometimes, a deep clean of the bathroom is all that’s needed.

If you want to neutralize odors and gently disinfect, there’s a simple and natural cleaner that really works: white distilled vinegar.

To keep your toilet fresh with every flush, add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the tank once a week. This helps keep the toilet running smoothly and gently disinfects at the same time.

And, don’t underestimate the simple task of regular cleaning. Giving toilet bowls a quick scrub at least once a week prevents unsightly toilet stains and hard mineral buildup.

Related questions

Can you put laundry detergent in a toilet tank?

No, it’s best to only use cleaners that are formulated for toilets. Liquid detergent or laundry detergent pods are designed for washers, not toilets.

Just as using a fabric softener in the toilet tank can clog pipes, the same applies to laundry detergent. Besides, it may create bubbles, and damage the toilet parts such as the rubber flapper.

Will laundry detergent unclog a toilet?

No, instead of using laundry detergent to clear stubborn clogs in the toilet trap, try liquid dish soap. Dish soap along with hot water and a bit of plunging often does the trick!

Most toilet clogs are made of greasy or fatty molecules. And dish soap is great for removing grease buildup, whether on dishes or in toilets.

Read more about clearing toilet clogs with dish soap.

Will vinegar damage toilet bowls?

No, vinegar is safe to use on most porcelain bowls. While it’s a natural and gentle acid cleaner, it’s still milder than many other commercial acidic toilet cleaners. Check your manufacturer’s instructions for more details.

References

1. American Cleaning Institute, Ingredients Glossary, https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/understanding-products/ingredients/ingredient-glossary. Accessed May 2022.
2. University of Georgia Family & Consumer Sciences, Healthy Indoor Environments (March 2018), https://site.extension.uga.edu/hie/files/2021/08/Healthy_indoor_environments_newsletter_March_2018.pdf. Accessed May 2022.
3. Purdue University, Keep the ‘Dirty Dozen’ Out of Your Onsite Sewage System (Septic Tank), https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/HENV/HENV-106-W.pdf. Accessed May 2022.
4. Geller, Samara (05 May 2016). “Skip the Fabric Softeners,” U.S. Environmental Working Group (EWG). Accessed May 2022.