DIY Homemade Fabric Softener
Add this DIY Fabric Softener to the rinse cycle of your wash to reduce static, deodorize your laundry (and washing machine!), and remove grease from your clothes.
I love having fresh smelling, soft, and non-static-y clothes, but I don’t like how many times I have found that commercial fabric softener has left odd stains (due to the dye in the fabric softener) or other strange spots on my clothes.
I also didn’t like how some laundry, especially towels, sometimes seemed like they were dirty and dingy even if they had been freshly washed.
They either had a faint mildewy smell or the fabric felt like there was buildup in it.
So, for a while I just stopped using liquid fabric softener before I eventually started experimenting with some homemade fabric softener solutions.
The benefit of this DIY Fabric Softener is not only does it condition the water which leads to softer clothes and less static, but it also eliminates odors (rather than simply masking them), removes grease and excess soap residue from clothes.
Ingredients in Homemade Fabric Softener
Thanks to two simple ingredients that you probably already have at home — plus optional essential oils for fresh scents — you’ll have fresh clothes that will last longer, feel cleaner, and have no static.
Baking Soda — Conditions the water and is a color-safe bleach alternative. It also gets rid of any nasty smells.
White Vinegar — Helps to brighten white fabrics, reduces static, helps remove grease and excess soap residues. It also keeps brights looking fresh and clean, rather than dingy, and eliminates bleeding from fabric dyes that may stain your clothes.
Essential Oils — These are a great, all-natural way to add a light, fresh scent to your laundry without added chemicals. Feel free to come up with your own scent combinations using your favorite essential oils, depending on what your personal preferences are. I liked the combo of white fir, cypress, and wintergreen. Citrus scents or lavender are also great laundry smells.
Can the Essential Oils Be Omitted?
This homemade fabric softener can be made without the addition of essential oils should you prefer no scent.
More DIY Cleaning Solutions
Try these awesome tips for Keeping Your Whites Looking White without having to use bleach.
Read about the Many Uses of Baking Soda – baking soda is so versatile for cleaning around the house.
Try these Quick Tips for Deodorizing your Kitchen using citrus and say goodbye to stinky trash cans, garbage disposals, and microwaves.
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How to Make Homemade Fabric Softener
Add this to the rinse cycle of your wash to reduce static, deodorize your laundry (and washing machine!), and remove grease from your clothes!
Materials
- 2 cups Baking Soda
- 9 drops White Fir Essential Oil
- 9 drops Cypress Essential Oil
- 5 drops Wintergreen Essential Oil
- 6 cups White Vinegar
Tools
- Large Mixing Bowl (or Bucket)
- Funnel
- Large Jar or Airtight Container
Instructions
- In a very large mixing bowl or bucket, combine the baking soda, and essential oils. Stir to mix.
- Very slowly add the vinegar – it will fizz up, so it is important to add it slowly and allow the fizz to subside in between additions. Stir well.
- Once the fizz has completely subsided, transfer into the storage container of your choice. (This could be an empty and clean fabric softener container or a storage jar.)
Notes
Notes: Gently shake to redistribute any settling before use. Add to the fabric softener slot on your washing machine.
For machines without a pre-measured slot for fabric softener, add 1/2 cup during the rinse cycle.
Cassia says
Could this be used as a spray-on stain remover before washing? Or else what would you suggest for that?
Katie Kick says
Yes, it will help remove grease stains when sprayed on. I also like branch basics to spray on stains.
Taun says
Could I use a different combo of essential oils for this recipe?
I have read that glycerin has been used for softening clothes too.
could glycerin be added to this recipe?
Thx
Katie says
You can use whatever essential oils you prefer! I have not tested this using glycerin so I can’t speak to how that would or wouldn’t work.
Tammy says
Been reading several recipes but by far I like and trust yours more thank you
Megan Messick says
Is this safe for HE washers?
Katie says
yes
Lori says
Love the idea of this fabric softener for Christmas gifts. What is the shelf life?
Thanks!
Katie says
I’ve never made a batch large enough to last more than about 2 weeks, so I can’t speak beyond that. Over time ingredients will slightly settle and you’ll need to remix before using. I do this by very slowly tipping the jar upside down and right side up a few times (no shaking).