A fabric softening composition capable of reducing the transfer of dyes during subsequent wash cycles comprising:I. an effective amount of fabric softening agent; andII. an effective amount of water-soluble polymeric dye transfer inhibitor which is a poly(vinylpyridine betainecontaining a quaternary nitrogen and a carboxylate salt having dye transfer inhibitor properties having the formula: ##STR1## where m defines a repeating unit; X is an anion;R and R.sub.2 are independently hydrogen, alkyl or aryl;n is 1-5; andM is a cation; and copolymers thereof.