Best fabric softener for laundry: top picks on Amazon

Downy Ultra is added to the fabric softener dispenser or directly to the rinse cycle. The concentrated formula (1 tablespoon per load for standard washing machines) produces 60 loads per container at 22 cents per load.

The conditioner reduces fiber-to-fiber friction, which is what produces a softer feel and reduces static during drying. Downy Ultra also contains color protection agents that reduce color fading from repeated washing.

At $13 for 60 loads, Downy Ultra is the standard liquid fabric conditioner at its concentration level and price point.

Bounce dryer sheets use a fabric base impregnated with fabric softener compounds that release from the sheet into the dryer's heat and air flow, coating clothes as they tumble. One sheet per standard load provides static control throughout the drying cycle.

The 240-count box provides 240 drying cycles at 3 cents per load, the lowest cost-per-use format in this guide. Used sheets can absorb light dust in drawers and closets as a secondary use before disposal.

At $8 for 240 sheets, Bounce provides the most load-for-load value of the softening options in this guide.

Snuggle Plus SuperFresh uses Snuggle's standard cationic softener base plus a proprietary odor-capture technology that binds to odor molecules on the fabric surface during the rinse cycle. The combination provides softening plus odor reduction in one additive.

The formula is HE compatible. The freshness benefit is most noticeable on fabrics that are washed frequently but still develop a stale smell between washes, such as gym clothes, kitchen towels and pet bedding.

At $10 for 60 loads, Snuggle Plus SuperFresh is 17 cents per load for a softener with odor elimination capability.

Gain Botanicals uses the same cationic surfactant softening mechanism as standard fabric softeners with fragrance formulations that reference botanical ingredients. The birch water and white tea variants provide lighter, fresher scent profiles than the heavier musk and floral fragrances in some standard softeners.

The formula is HE compatible and safe for standard washing machines. The bottle includes a measuring cap marked for different load sizes.

At $12 for 58 loads, Gain Botanicals provides 21 cents per load for a botanical-positioned fabric softener at a similar price point to Downy Ultra.