The invention provides silicone compositions (aminopolysiloxanes and/or ammonium polysiloxanes) which bind to fibrous substrates such as paper, and make the paper perceptibly softer and permit easy use of the paper in the paper production process, by leaving constant or improving hydrophilicity. The invention further provides polysiloxane-based compositions which can be flexibly adjusted to a given substrate and treatment condition by varying the ratios of the components of the composition.