Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 5: Vinegar
• Method 2 of 5: Vinegar and baking soda
• Method 3 of 5: Conditioner
• Method 4 of 5: Fabric softener wipes
• Method 5 of 5: Fabric softener crystals
• Warnings
• Necessities

If you want an eco-friendly and inexpensive alternative to store-bought fabric softener, you can make it yourself at home. Here are some simple methods you can use.

To step

Method 1 of 5: Vinegar

1. Mix 4 liters of vinegar with 25 to 30 drops of essential oil.Stir the essential oil into the vinegar in the bottle for a minute so that the two liquids are well mixed.
   • Essential oil is not necessarily required. The vinegar softens the clothes. It removes soap residue from clothing that would otherwise stiffen it and breaks down minerals in hard water.
   • If you decide to use essential oil, you can take any scent you want.
2. Add 60 ml of the mixture to your wash. Put it in the special softener compartment before turning on the washing machine.
   • Do not add fabric softener to the machine before the first wash cycle.
   • Pour the rest of the fabric softener into a bottle to preserve it. Make sure you write what's in it so you don't accidentally use it for something else. Shake or stir before each use so that the vinegar and oil are not separated.
3. Complete the entire washing program. You don't have to do anything else. Just let your entire program run as normal.

Method 2 of 5: Vinegar and baking soda

1. Mix baking soda and hot water. Stir 1 cup of baking soda into 2 cups of hot water until well blended. Place the two ingredients in a large bucket or other container.
   • The baking soda will not dissolve, but it must be completely mixed with the water.
   • This homemade fabric softener is especially appreciated by people who have hard water.
   • Baking soda regulates the pH of your water, so it isn't too acidic or basic. It also removes minerals often found in hard water. These minerals can make your clothes stiff.
2. Slowly add vinegar. Slowly add 1 cup of whites to this mixture. Stir until the baking soda is dissolved.
   • The vinegar reacts with the baking soda, causing it to fizz. Don't pour the vinegar in too quickly, it will become a mess.
   • Vinegar removes soap residue from your clothes and makes the water less hard.
   • Some people think that vinegar and baking soda cancel each other out, so it wouldn't work. But the salt created by the chemical reaction acts as a protective layer during the rinsing. In addition, after the reaction, all kinds of elements remain active that keep the clothing soft.
3. Fragrance the fabric softener if you like. If you want fabric softener with a nice scent, add some essential oil or scent booster to the ingredients. Stir one of the two into the mixture.
   • If you are using essential oil, 25 to 30 drops is enough.
   • If you are taking scent booster, add 60-120 ml to the water and stir until dissolved.
   • "Scent booster" is available on the Internet. It is not a natural product, so it may not suit your idea of ​​an eco fabric softener, but it makes your clothes smell nice and it is cheaper.
4. Add 60 ml of the mixture to your wash. Put it in the special softener compartment before turning on the washing machine.
   • Do not add fabric softener to the machine before the first wash cycle.
   • Put the rest of your fabric softener in a bottle or container for safekeeping. Stir or shake it well before using.
5. Complete the entire washing program. You don't have to do anything else. Just let your entire program run as normal.

Method 3 of 5: Conditioner

1. Mix vinegar, hair conditioner and hot water. In a large bucket, stir 750ml white vinegar, 500ml conditioner and 1500ml hot water together until well mixed.
   • You can use any kind of conditioner you want. Choose a cheap brand if you want to save money.
   • Because there are so many types and scents of conditioner, the possibilities are almost limitless.
   • Note that it is not a "completely natural" solution, but it works very well. The vinegar removes soap residue and the conditioner softens the fibers.
2. Add 60 ml of the mixture to your wash. Put it in the special softener compartment before turning on the washing machine.
   • Do not add fabric softener to the machine before the first wash cycle.
   • Put the rest of your fabric softener in a bottle or container for safekeeping. Stir or shake it well before using.
3. Complete the entire washing program. You don't have to do anything else. Just let your entire program run as normal.

Method 4 of 5: Fabric softener wipes

1. Cut a cotton cloth into small squares. Make squares with sides of about 12 cm.
   • Cotton works best because it is a natural fiber and breathes well. Do not use fabric with fibers that are too close together. Also do not use synthetic fibers.
   • You can use old rags or clothing for this, but make sure it is clean.
2. Spray each square with white vinegar. Fill a small spray bottle with white vinegar. Spray both sides of the cloth until damp to the touch.
   • Let it dry a little bit. The cloth can be damp, but not dripping wet when you put it in the dryer.
   • Vinegar is the only element in this fabric softener that makes clothes soft. It may not be as strong as when you use it as a liquid fabric softener, but the effect is still sufficient.
3. Put a few drops of essential oil on the cloth. Put 3 to 5 drops of your favorite essential oil on the square cloth. Spread the drops so that they can penetrate well into the fibers of the entire wipe.
   • The essential oil gives your clothes a nice, mild scent. You can also use this method without the essential oil, but because it becomes less soft than with liquid fabric softener, you better use the nice scent with this method.
4. Place the cloth in the dryer. Place the cloth with vinegar and the nice scent with your laundry in the dryer. Turn the dryer on as you normally would. You don't have to do anything else.
   • You can use each sheet for two or three loads, but you can refresh it a bit each time by adding 3 drops of essential oil. You can also add a little vinegar to enhance the effect.

Method 5 of 5: Fabric softener crystals

1. Mix coarse salt with essential oil. Add 20 to 30 drops of your favorite essential oil to 2 cups of coarse sea salt or Epsom salt in a bowl or container.
   • Stir well until all the essential oil has been absorbed by the salt.
   • You can use any scent you want. You can even combine scents to create your own unique perfume.
2. Stir in baking soda. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda and stir until well blended.
   • You can also leave the baking soda out and add it when you wash.
3. Put 2 to 3 tablespoons in the detergent dispenser of your washing machine.
   • Don't use more than 2 to 3 tablespoons of your fabric softener crystals.
   • If you didn't add baking soda to the mixture, add some to the drawer now.
   • Do not add fabric softener to the machine before the first wash cycle.
4. Complete the entire washing program. You don't have to do anything else. Just let your entire program run as normal.

Warnings

• Never mix vinegar with bleach. Then a dangerous gas can form.
• Never use apple cider vinegar or other colored vinegars in these recipes. Then your laundry can discolor.

Necessities

• Vinegar
• Hot water
• Essential oil
• Baking soda
• Scent Booster
• Conditioner
• Coarse salt
• Lockable container