Article for softening fabrics in an automatic clothes dryer

A non-staining fabric softening article, especially adapted for use in an automatic clothes dryer, comprising:

• a. a fabric conditioning amount of a softener mixture being substantially free of unneutralized fatty acids, said mixture comprising a fabric softener component and a phase-modifying component wherein the presence of said phase-modifying component causes the formation in the dryer of a mesomorphic phase of the softener mixture, wherein:
• i. the fabric softener component is selected from the group consisting of sorbitan esters characterized by at least one free hydroxyl group and a melting point of at least about 38.degree. C., and mixtures thereof;
• and
• ii. the phase-modifying component is selected from the group consisting of water-soluble fatty acid soaps, and mixtures thereof with water-soluble C.sub.10 -C.sub.20 neutralized alkyl sulfates, the weight ratio of said softener component to said phase-modifying component being in the range of from about 100:1 to about 1:1;
• said softener mixture being characterized by a melting point in the range of from about 38.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C., said mixture being in releasable combination with;
• b. means for dispensing the softener mixture when said softening article is tumbled with damp fabrics in the dryer under heat sufficient to melt the mixture.