Frugal Home Series Part 2: Homemade Fabric Softener
I'm definitely a liquid fabric softener kind of gal. In college I took the best textiles class ever- we learned how fabric was made and how to care for it. Once a week (maybe twice? I can't remember!) we had a "lab" where we sat in a circle, touched fabric, and learned how to identify it. We learned how it burns, how it reacts to dye, and how they make carpet. Best class of my life.
Our professor did/does research for some big-name brand like Lands End or Northface and preached about fabric softeners. How liquid is much better than sheets, how not to use too much. My mom always used Downy, but I have to admit- I can't handle the price and it almost always lasts half the time the bottle says because I use way too much.
Solution- Make your own.
I found this recipe and was skeptical. Really? Hair Conditioner? Cheap Hair conditioner? VINEGAR? I feared I'd be walking around smelling like a Šopský salát (google it).
Nope. Pure awesomeness. My clothes are SO soft- softer than with store-bought- and smell fresh and clean. The scent of the conditioner is definitely there. This recipe makes a lot of softener, so I only made half. This is the full recipe.
Recipe:
- 6 cups HOT water
- 3 cups white vinegar
- 2 cups Suave Conditioner {or other favorite scent-I found it for $1}
- Measure out conditioner.
- Whisk together hot water and conditioner. Make sure the conditioner is mixed completely with the water- no clumps. I had to whisk for a minute or so.
- Add Vinegar and mix well (this is the actual softener- the conditioner I think it just for scent. Vinegar also helps with static sling).
- Use 2 tbsp in a Downy ball or in the softener dispenser in your machine, diluted with water (basically use it like it's store bought)
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| I keep it in this carafe (end of summer sale at Target for $1!) so it's easy to pour into our washer. |
Love. It. I don't think I've ever been so happy with a DIY cleaning remedy as I am with this one!
Here is a printable label:
Enjoy!
Just made my first batch and did a load of laundry. Love it. Thank You for Sharing
ReplyDeleteI am going to try it soon! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteYou think it's safe to use in an HE machine?
ReplyDeleteUse half the amount called for in a top loader = 1 tbsp. This product does not suds up, so it is safe.
DeleteLorraine, so glad you like it! Tess, come back and let us know how it worked! Beth, my mom uses it on her HE machine and it works great. She still has to run a cleaner through her machine to clean the drum every 3 months, but she always had to, even before she started using it.
ReplyDeleteDo you think you could use it to make the homemade Fabreze recipe on Pinterest? (1/8 Cup of fabric softener, 2 tablespoons Baking Soda, hot tap water in a spray bottle)
ReplyDeleteIts not good to use for that… baking soda and vinegar mix together will set off a natural reaction and foam out of your spray bottle (I know because I have done it... lol. Guilty) I however let it "explode" then continued to slowly fill my spray bottle with water and added another "squirt" or so of conditioner, shook and used. Still smells good and eliminates odors due to the baking soda.
DeleteThere is no baking soda in this.
DeleteI'm going to try it!!
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ReplyDeleteGreat recipe! Thanks! A question..does it have to be Sauve conditioner? I'm a bit of an Eco nut and am a bit concerned with some of the additives in that conditioner.
ReplyDeleteYou can use any hair conditioner that you wish. Suave is recommended in order to keep the cost down to create the softener.
DeleteThanks for the recipe! How long does it last, if I bottled it would it go off?
ReplyDeleteI do not believe so. I mix mine in an empty Downy jug. Before I use it each time, I vigorously shake the bottle.
Deleteacbailey1,
ReplyDeleteI doubt that it has to be Suave conditioner because in the recipe she states that she thinks the Suave is included just for the scent.
Anonymous...with the main ingredient being vinegar (which is antibacterial) I don't see how it could go 'off'! I normally just use straight vinegar as my fabric softener, but I love scent so I'm gonna try this. The vinegar removes any soap residue (works awesome in hair also and leaves no smell) so towels are fluffier and more absorbent.
ReplyDeleteI love this; going to get mine mixed up right away!
ReplyDeleteYou said dilute the 2 tbsp ... about how much water?
ReplyDeleteHey Ladies! No, you don't have to use Suave. you can use anything but I have found they have the strongest scents. I personally don't like to use it as my conditioner, but the smell is great and cheap! I use it so much that I've neve had to worry about it going bad- but it shouldn't if you don't use it often. Nekia, there isn't 2tbsp of anything in this recipe. I just mix the conditioner with the hot water, then add the vinegar and am done!
ReplyDeleteUse 2 tbsp in a Downy ball or in the softener dispenser in your machine, diluted with water (basically use it like it's store bought)- I understood this to mean you add 2 tbsp of the softener diluted with water to your load of laundry - Sorry if I have missed understood this!
ReplyDeleteJust made a batch. My Downy ball has a fill line (which is about 2 tbsp.) The ball says not to add water - use with Ultra Downy only. Not sure how the balls work - if I add a little water, thus going over the fill line, will it work properly?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it will work correctly. I used to have Downy ball and just filled it to the line and it worked great! Let us know what you find out!
DeleteHi, I am new to all of this and have been sitting here for almost 2 hours now writing down different things to try, honestly mine is to save money, we are in a really hard spot right now and I didnt know there was so many different things that could be made at home. I am shocked. I will have to say I will be busy when we get next paycheck because I am going to be trying several of these recipes for cleaning my home, laundry and every body wash. I am just shocked. I just want to say thank you. Maybe this will help us cut some corners we need.
ReplyDeleteKristy, so sorry u r in a tuff spot right now, I hope things get better soon! not only do these homemade products cost less, they actually work better and are less toxic. I will NEVER buy detergent, fabric softener, stain remover or tub and shower cleaner again! keep "pinning" and we will help you through! Take care and best of luck :)
DeleteI think back on all the money I could of saved over the last 30 years if I had known about this this... So far I have not tried anything bad. But you have to make these toilet bombs too. I am not sure but I think the toilet stays cleaner for longer.... I have been making my own laundry detergent also. Mostly the dry but want to try the one that is the consistence of mayo.
DeleteAfter I made up some general cleaning and sanitizing liquid to disinfect my gd kitchen I was really glad when her 3 yr old grabbed the bottle and squirted herself in the face. I knew it was mostly vinegar and distilled water with tea tree oil I think in that one... I have been trying so many different things and trying to keep up. I'm on Pinterest all night sometimes. I'm 66 so I can be...lol
Giving it as a bridal shower gift. Put it in a glass dispenser with a lid and pour spout.:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Im going to do the same.
DeleteI doubt the amount of water you add to the 2 tbsp of fabric softener is an issue. It all ends up in the washing machine anyway, right? I always thought the reason you diluted store-bought fabric softener was that if added full strength, it stains certain fabrics (I learned that the hard way). Just my thoughts anyway. I love your fabric softener - thanks for saving us plenty of $$$! :)
ReplyDeleteDowney us slso bad on septic tanks
Deleteso i put it in my machines dispencer and then add water to fill line or just put it in and let it go . sorry dont mean to sound dense ive just been reading so many comments im starting to confuse myself
ReplyDeleteI have been using vinegar with essential oil in a washing machine rinse cycle for years. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of vinegar, with or without the oil.
DeleteFor my WonderWash (no electricity) I use less than 1/4 cup.
Can you also put some in a squirt bittle add a little water and spritz on your cloths and todss in the dryer for a nice refresher?
ReplyDeleteI have a washer that says only to use "HE" soap and softener. Would it be safe to use this in my washer?
ReplyDeleteBut does it take care of static cling? I tried a few pinterest ideas to help with static including vinegar and using a rag with hair conditioner on it for the dryer and I still had static.
ReplyDeleteYes it did for me. No static
DeleteYes it did for me. No static
DeleteI also tried tin foil - didn't work.
ReplyDeleteI made this and my clothes come out soft but have no smell to them like store bought fabric softner gives them. Did I do something wrong?
ReplyDeleteCtina, I have heard that static is more likely with mixed fabrics. However, it might not be practical to separate the fabrics to see if it solves the static issue.
ReplyDeleteI think this would be good added to pintrest so we can save it
ReplyDeleteMy clothes also do not have the smell that regular fabric softened gives them. I also have noticed that it seems to br separating in the container. Did I do something wrong?
ReplyDeleteMine separates also.. I just give it a good shake shake shake and move on to pouring it in... BUT what causes it to separate?
ReplyDeleteI think I may have messed up. I did it on the stove to heat the water up and forgot to move it till I poured the vinger in. Does it by chance thickin up when it cools down?
ReplyDeleteShared this on my blog and Facebook page! www.p3powerpuritypotency.com/blog https://www.facebook.com/p3powerpuritypotency
ReplyDeleteI made half a batch and it fits perfectly in a 51 ounce Downy bottle. I also noticed that the fresh smell didn't transfer to the dryer but it does the job so I don't mind. I do keep a bottle of regular Downy on hand for Fresh smelling sheets and blankets. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI am on my second batch of this. When I first made it, I must say I was skeptical, but when the load came out of the dryer I was HOOKED. The smell and softness is wonderful. My husband loves it. And it is SO CHEAP and a lot better for the environment. Thank you. I am pinning this to my health board.
ReplyDeleteI know that vinegar and bleach do not mix well. Is this fabric softener still safe to use in a bleach load?
ReplyDeleteAs long as you only add to the rinse cycle, it should be fine.
DeleteAs long as you only add to the rinse cycle, it should be fine.
DeleteI started doing this, (vinegar +essential oils) recently as an experiment and am pleased with the results. Good way to use up those older bottles that have been left unused.
ReplyDeleteI have a blanket I bought in Korea 26 ish years ago, they called it a "mink" blanket , thick n warm. I have always washed it with shampoo n used cream rinse/conditioner on it. Still soft, looking forward to trying it w/ the vinegar added.
ReplyDeleteI started doing the liquid fabric softener diluted with the sponges that you throw in the dryer. Do you think I can do the same thing with vinegar and essential oils too?
ReplyDeleteI was wandering the same thing. Has anyone tried this recipe in homemade dryer sheets?
DeleteThis is the best fabric softener. I decided to make and try it thinking I wouldn't be out much money if it didn't work, but it is wonderful. I will never buy another bottle of fabric softener again. Thanks for the great idea.
ReplyDeleteI use unscented, hypoallergenic everything! So I have used just plain white vinegar, diluted only with water.
ReplyDeleteI have been making the softener & detergent for over a year now. I can honestly say, I HAVE saved a ton of money & it works so well. Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteI used the purple aussie conditioner. It smells sooo good. Everyone comments that my clothes smell great. I just LOVE it on my sheets and blankets. Easily in my top 5 favorite diy's. Thank you, thank you, thank you
ReplyDeleteIm curious about the essential oil. Im not familiar, but when i hear oil im nervous to get it near clothing. Am i way off?
ReplyDeleteIf I put 2 tablespoons in a downy ball, do I then fill it up to the line with water?
ReplyDeleteIn the article she didn't mention adding water to the ball. Just the mixture, because it already has water in it. But if you feel more comfortable about it. Try it both ways to see what you think.
DeleteIt is not your typical oil, its the essence from the plant.
ReplyDeleteHello all! I have a TON of old shirts and socks in a rag bag. Do you think this would work if I poured it over them (cut up) and used as dryer sheets?
ReplyDeleteYes, if they are cotton I would use them. Cut into nice workable size.
ReplyDeleteDoes this recipe have a shelf life and how long is it for?
ReplyDeleteI tried and not only do I love it but my family does too. My daughter suffers from very bad eczema and was a bit scared, but no reaction as of yet and it's been a month so far that I have been using this method. The smell of freshness lasts a very long time as well. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteDo your clothes smell like vinegar?
ReplyDeleteHelp! I tried this recipe (with Suave's Rosemary + Mint conditioner), but my clothes didn't come out smelling like the conditioner. It flat out doesn't smell like anything. It's clean, so that's great, but where did I go wrong?
ReplyDeleteCan you use the cleaner vinegar instead of distilled
ReplyDeleteThis was a great use of some conditioner I bought but ended up not liking for my hair! I hated to throw out the whole bottle and I didn't think anyone would want a partially used conditioner, so I made fabric softener out of it! Great timing since I was out of softener.
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ReplyDeleteI truly appreciate you writing these as your insight has made me think a lot about this topic.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for this and keep on it..