Homemade fabric softener

[kellieetter]

I love to use vinager as fabric softner and if you want a nice smell add a little essential oil to it!!

[MomToTwoBoys]

I'm not sure if anyone has posted this recipe, but this one works fantastic and there's no odor leftover! You only smell the detergent that you used.

1c baking soda
6c white vinegar
8c water
10 drops essential oils (optional)

First, pour the baking soda into an old 4L white vinegar bottle. Then very carefully add in one cup of water to the baking soda. Slowly add the 6c of vinegar to the bottle and be sure to swirl it around, let the fizz settle after each cup. Add in the other 7 cups of water to the jug, put the cap on and give it a turn upside down and then rightside up to mix it.

If you aren't careful when adding in the ingredients, it'll explode on you. I don't use the essential oils and my clothes are incredibly soft when I hang them on the line. Pour 1c of the combined ingredients into your washing machine during the rinse cycle.

[nuisance26]

~Plain vinegar(1/2 cup per large load)does work wonderfully as a rinse aid softener. I used it for towels and cloth diapers until 2 years ago.
Right now I'm using a giant bottle of liquid softener I got for $3. I water it down in a jar and then dip flannel squares into it to throw into the rinse cycle. I do it for the scent, not to soften. I'm on year two with this bottle.
I've managed to train my family to accept crunchy towels and crisp clothes and I prefer them that way.
If we have babies in the house again though I'll have to give the EO recipe a try!~

[Debbie-cat]

I'm not sure if anyone has posted this recipe, but this one works fantastic and there's no odor leftover! You only smell the detergent that you used.

1c baking soda
6c white vinegar
8c water
10 drops essential oils (optional)

First, pour the baking soda into an old 4L white vinegar bottle. Then very carefully add in one cup of water to the baking soda. Slowly add the 6c of vinegar to the bottle and be sure to swirl it around, let the fizz settle after each cup. Add in the other 7 cups of water to the jug, put the cap on and give it a turn upside down and then rightside up to mix it.

If you aren't careful when adding in the ingredients, it'll explode on you. I don't use the essential oils and my clothes are incredibly soft when I hang them on the line. Pour 1c of the combined ingredients into your washing machine during the rinse cycle.

Sounds great! Thank you!

I'm not sure if anyone has posted this recipe, but this one works fantastic and there's no odor leftover! You only smell the detergent that you used.

Thanks for the recipe. I'm on the last bottle of Downy in my stockpile, and honestly, I like the lavender scent more than I care about the "softening" part. I'm going to try this with a little of my lavender oil and see how it turns out.

[Luckybustert]

If you aren't careful when adding in the ingredients, it'll explode on you.

I can just picture this happening to me!

I've been using plain vinegar and haven't noticed the smell, but I also always run my clothes through a second rinse (just water) so that may be why. (I have very sensitive skin so the second rinse is to get rid of any soap residue.)

[frugalfranny]

I don't use the fabric softener, and seldom use the dryer sheets. But might have to re-think.........
I wear a lot of fleece in the winter and will sometimes use a dryer sheet then.
it might take me forever to use this recipe though......