Why People Put Fabric Softener In Their Toilet Tank (And Should You?)

Have you heard of people adding fabric softener to their toilet tanks? If not, this is one of the worst toilet hacks that's gone viral on social media, with some individuals saying that it's a great way to keep fresh scents flowing in your bathroom. It turns out that there are people on TikTok who have not only been adding fabric softener directly to their toilet tanks, but some are even creating makeshift bottles to release the liquid slowly over time.

The entire idea of this fabric softener hack is that it will add a burst of freshness every time someone uses the toilet. With each flush, the fabric softener in the tank will flow into the bowl as fresh water is added, releasing a clean scent into the air, similar to an air freshener. It's a way to eliminate some of the foul odors that can happen in the bathroom with every flush of the toilet.

The problem with this social media hack is that it doesn't seem to take into account the fact that fabric softener is not meant for toilets. Fabric softener is intended for the washing machine's rinse cycle. To put it simply, it's not an air freshener. If you do end up trying this particular social media hack, it could have a negative impact on your toilet in the long run.

Adding fabric softener to your toilet bowl can lead to complications with the internal mechanisms of your toilet. If you've ever had to fix the flapper in your toilet, or any of the other components that make your toilet run smoothly (or stop running), then you know that it can require some patience and skill. Adding a chemical to your toilet tank that was not meant to go in there can lead to problems that require more than patience; they may require a plumber.

Fabric softener in the toilet tank can lead to issues with your septic system, leading to its parts breaking down faster than they should, and even form clogs in the toilet pipes after flushing. Your toilet bowl itself can develop valve and other mechanical issues due to the fabric softener's interaction with other chemicals, such as toilet bowl cleaners. And the truth is, it's not really handling the big issue of smells in your bathroom on a long-term basis. If your bathroom needs a fresh scent boost so badly that you're considering using fabric softener to keep things fresh with every flush, it might be time for a deeper clean.

Even trying the hack where you add an outside bottle to the tank to limit how much fabric softener ends up in your toilet has its own risks, including damage to the parts. The bottle itself can interfere with the parts that make your toilet work. There is no safe or right way to use fabric softener in your toilet. Instead, you can opt for the essential oil hack that'll keep your bathroom smelling fresh.