Wife = home Economics major in college. According to here education, liquid fabric softener is useless (unless you somehow can add it in at the last rinse, which some new washer's do, and all other devices do not - no matter what they claim).
Dryer sheets are where it's at. way cheaper than fabric softener, even if you can add it at the right time.
Home Economics degree? Wat?
I'm actually sorta jealous. That means your wife has been formally trained to do your laundry, make you dinner, and clean your house. Did she get any formal training on pleasing you?