How to Make Natural Homemade Fabric Softener With a Recipe for Washing & Cleaning the Laundry

Several ingredients commonly found in commercial fabric softeners are known carcinogens, such as chloroform and benzyl acetate. Instead of exposing your family to these toxins, consider making your own natural fabric softener for all the benefits without the risks. Read below to learn how to make homemade fabric softener with an easy recipe. You can even add various fragrances if you want.

Make your basic fabric softener recipe first. Combine 1 c. natural hair conditioner with 1 c. vinegar and 3 c. distilled water. The vinegar helps remove static from the load. Mix together well in a large container with a tight-fitting lid. Add your homemade fabric softener to the wash just as you would any commercial product, either putting it into the automatic machine dispenser or pouring it in during the rinse cycle.

Placing several drops of essential oil into your fabric softener will leave clothes smelling fresh and clean. Many people report enjoying lavender, rose and citrus scents in their homemade fabric softener. Start with 10 to 20 drops of the essential oil of your choice in every batch of fabric softener. Experiment to find the right fragrance and scent strength for your personal preferences. On the other hand, don't feel like you must add any scent at all. You may appreciate the natural scent of clean clothing more than any added fragrance.

If you're looking for a quick way to achieve a similar effect or simply don't have the right ingredients on hand, add different fragrances to your wash by placing dried flowers in a tied-up sock. Put it in the dryer with a load of laundry and the flowers will permeate the wash with their natural scent. Add a balled up piece of tin foil to cut the static.