water hardness + fabric softener

[prairiewindmomma]

Ok, I am *SO* confused.  Please help my tired brain.

I just bought a new washing machine, and I'm going through all of the user guides and paperwork.  Included is a free product promo kit from Tide/Downy/Bounce which includes samples and user information. Downy, which is a US branded fabric softener included a water hardness test kit and it includes a flyer that says this, "Did you know? 85% of North Americans have hard water. Hard water contains minerals that can be harsh on fabrics during the wash."

Here's my question:

When we talk about fabric softener, are we talking about chemical agents when help wash hard water minerals out of fabrics? There's an actual connection between the words "hard" water and fabric "softener"? 

Until today I thought hard water just meant water high in minerals but that fabric softener just coated the fabric with cationic (positively charged) chemicals creating an electric charge in the fabric so that the fabric would be fluffier. I thought the softener did nothing with regards to water type.

Does anyone know? 

 

[Katy]

It’s just marketing. Softer water actually makes it okay to use far less soap. None of it has to do with laundry softness or lack therof.

[Miss Tick]

1 hour ago, prairiewindmomma said:

When we talk about fabric softener, are we talking about chemical agents when help wash hard water minerals out of fabrics? There's an actual connection between the words "hard" water and fabric "softener"? 

Until today I thought hard water just meant water high in minerals but that fabric softener just coated the fabric with cationic (positively charged) chemicals creating an electric charge in the fabric so that the fabric would be fluffier. I thought the softener did nothing with regards to water type.

I think you are right, and I wonder if they are hoping you will inadvertently conflate fabric softener and water softener. Especially if they are actually talking about the dryer sheets. If they are talking about the softener added to the washing machine, perhaps the fabric softener also sequesters dissolved minerals.

I've always had high iron and hard water and I've never used fabric softener, so I'm just speculating. I've also curated my capsule wardrobe to contain clothing that thrives on neglect and abuse, so ymmv!