As promised, here is how I make homemade fabric softener!
All you need is:
White Vinegar
An Empty Jug (optional)
Essential Oils (optional)
I just poured some vinegar in an empty fabric softener container and added about 30 drops of tea tree oil. But, you could just literally pour vinegar into your fabric softener dispenser in your washer and that's it! I added the oil for some extra scent. The clothes come out smelling fresh and not in the least bit "vinegary". They are also super soft. So frugal and natural...love it!
Anyone else have other fabric softener recipes? I saw some online involving conditioner, but wasn't sure how all of that would work! I've also seen ways to make homemade natural dryer sheets. Maybe I will try that next!
*{contains affiliate links}
oh I am SO excited for this!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this will help my daughters excema? I've been told it could possibly be caused by detergents or fabric softeners, but our house is so dry, without softener we're shocking each other all day long!
Tea tree oil works great for my eczema...and mine used to be very bad! :)
DeleteThis is fantastic. I've also learnt that vinegar will take out those nasty stiff yellowy underarms that husbands sometimes get on their business shirts. Just spray undiluted onto the stain and put into the wash. Comes out all clean!
ReplyDeleteGREAT IDEA! Thanks so much for posting! Fabric softener and dryer sheets actually have a lot of extra chemicals that are bad for people... So inexpensive alternatives are AWESOME! I love your blog - keep it up! I feel like we were sisters separated at birth cuz so many of the things you write are things I am doing or looking for to change! THANKS!!
ReplyDeleteOk...I just found you and I already love you!!!
ReplyDeleteWill this do any harm if I use it and then wash my cloth diapers? I don't use regular fab softener at all because of the residue let in the washer and dryer. But, I am thinking this would be safe?
p.s. I am your newest follower. I found you when doing a google search for "spring wreath" and am so excited!
I will definitely be trying this out! I'm really excited since it is a really cheap alternative and still healthy.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering....is this safe for HE washers? I'm sure it probably is.
ReplyDeleteI've been using straight vinegar for about 6 months. Works great as a fabric softener! And I pay less than $2 a gallon for it! Another trick I heard for dealing with the static is to pin a safety pin on a piece of laundry as you toss the wet stuff in the dryer. I haven't tried it, but have heard it works great!
ReplyDeleteWe also make our own laundry detergent. We use a liquid with Ivory Soap, Borax, and Washing Soda. My boys haven't had an eczema flare up in about a year!
Love this blog!!!! I am always looking for new natural ways to clean my house and family. Just put Dr. Bronner's soap on my Amazon wish list!!!
Borax has been linked to sexual health issues, especially in the testes. I found this out recently while I was about to make my own detergent! Especially with boys in the house, I would look for a non-borax recipe. This is the one I'm going to try: http://greenergreener.com/homemade-laundry-detergent
DeleteI just recently ordered essential oils for the first time to make fabric softener, laundry detergent and cleaners. I decided I wanted to add vanilla oil to the vinegar for fabric softener. I don't know what colors other essential oils are but vanilla is brown. Should I have any concern about using in with my clothes? I know it's only a light brown when it gets mixed with the vinegar but I just wanted to check before I try it with, let's say, my whites! Also, is it normal for the smell of the mixture to be undesirable before it goes in? You can smell a little of the vanilla but a lot of vinegar.
ReplyDeleteAnother benefit of using vinegar is that it removes "funky" or stale odors from clothing, particularly towels.
ReplyDeleteAnd Sarah, yes the smell will dissipate. Vinegar is a common natural cleaner and the smell evaporates. Much preferable to bleach for freshening laundry.
Hi, where do you buy the essential oils? Vanilla sounds great, but where do I get it?
ReplyDeleteabsolutely love your ideas and would love to know if the dryer sheets work, so i will definitely be following your website. i just made fabric softener using conditioner, vinegar, and water.i am hoping it does good if not i will be trying your idea.I never thought I would be making homemade products but I absolutely love it. thanks for taking the time to post your ideas,I will be trying the cleaner idea with the t-shirts in my camper I love clorox wipes but we go thru alot of them when we pack it up for storagge this would be great, can't wait to try it out.
ReplyDeleteYou can buy essential oils from Back to Basics Log Cabin on etsy.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/shop/BackToBasicsLogCabin they have undiluted essential oils that smell great!
Thank you for this! I'm no 'poo and therefore, no conditioner so the make your own with conditioner doesn't work for me. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this! I'm no 'poo and therefore, no conditioner so the make your own with conditioner doesn't work for me. :)
ReplyDeleteFor dryer sheets, you just spray a discinct washclothe with vinegar and throw it in the dryer with your clothes. Then when you get your clothes out of the dryer.....get that same washclothe and put it on top of your dryer for the next use! Works great!! We make our own laundry soap too!
ReplyDeleteYou can buy essential oils on vitacost.com Their prices are great; I use their 360 brand and it's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI bought a bottle of method brand liquid fabric softener about 5 years ago, and I just mix it about 1:5 with water in a spray bottle and spray it right ian the dryer. Works great and I still have a good amount left.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the vinegar to essential oil ratio?
ReplyDelete