As detergents clean and strip natural oils out of fabric, clothes become scratchy and often develop a negative ionic charges (static cling), especially when they are dried in a dryer. In the early 1950s, when synthetic laundry detergents became popular, fabric softeners were introduced. The fi rst softeners were liquids to be added to laundry during the rinse cycle. In the 1970s, fabric softeners for use in dryers were developed. All-in-one detergents containing fabric softeners for use during the wash cycle were introduced in the 1980s. At present, there are several types of fabric softeners but the liquids applied during the rinse cycle are still preferred because they are more effective. In the formulating of fabric softener, surfactants play an important role by imparting a softening and lubricating action on the fabrics being treated. The most common surfactant used is cationic with a hydrophobic chain of at least 16 carbon atoms.

Main Research: Yusrabbil Amiyati Yusof