I’m sharing this recipe for DIY on how to make your own liquid fabric softener.
It’s the best homemade fabric softener recipe and perfect for sensitive skin.
In my quest to stretch our budget, I shared a Homemade Laundry Detergent recipe and now, adding to the laundry, this fabric softener.
Scratchy clothes or static cling clothes aren’t anyone’s idea of comfortable.
Miss M has sensitive skin that doesn’t tolerate too many chemicals.
I am always seeking a way to keep her and the family comfortable.
This homemade fabric softener is easy to make and stores nicely.
I was surprised how easy it is to make your own fabric softener with hair conditioner.
The higher quality or more expensive conditioners won’t make any noticeable differences, so don’t waste your money!
The overall effectiveness of this homemade fabric softener is very close to what a regular fabric softener does.
When it comes to smell, the scent will depend on the conditioner.
The strength of the scent is going to be determined by how powerful it is in the conditioner.
How Fabric Softener Works:
The purpose of this homemade fabric softener, or any fabric softener, is to add to the washing machine during the rinse cycle to make clothes soft and feel better to the touch. I
It also helps reduce static clean.
Fabric Softener works by depositing the lubricating agents on the fabric.
In this recipe, the conditioner and vinegar work together.
Not only does this homemade fabric softener work every bit as well as the store-bought ones, but it’s very affordable to make.
It is pennies to make and requires three ingredients, probably already in your home.
Water,
Conditioner
Vinegar
It was so easy, and the hardest part was boiling water!
Homemade fabric softener ingredients
3 cups of white vinegar
1 bottle of conditioner (I used the least expensive I could find)
6 cups of hot water
a big bowl
A storage container (it makes about 3 quarts)
How to Make Your Own Homemade Fabric Softener Directions:
Add the water and hair conditioner to a large bowl or container, and stir to combine until the conditioner is completely dissolved. (You don’t want to shake it; it will cause foaming.)
Add the vinegar and mix well.
Store in an airtight container.
How to Use:
Add 2 tablespoons per load directly into the fabric softener area on your washer for smaller loads, or 1/4 cup for larger loads.
I use a Downy Ball 😉
NOTE: Vinegar will eventually wear out the elastic bands in your clothing.
Use sparingly or not at all with clothing items that contain elastic.
Homemade Fabric Softener-No Hair Conditioner Variation
If you want a more organic liquid fabric softener, you can leave the hair conditioner.
Omit the hair conditioner and go with 5-10 drops of your choice of essential oil instead.
It works just as well.
Best Practices:
When it comes to laundry and fabric softener, here are a few tips on items you should NEVER use fabric softener on:
Microfiber–
Don’t use this homemade fabric softener on Microfiber, and you’ll destroy the effectiveness and durability of its intricate fibers.
Athletic Sportswear-
Athletic clothing articles have a wicking technology to keep sweat from your skin, fabric softener of any kind will coat the fibers and destroy the wicking properties.
You can learn more about the care of sportswear as well as how to fix numbers on a jersey to bring your A-Game on laundry day.
Flame-Retardant Clothing–
Most Flame Retardant Clothing is sleepwear, and this includes children’s pajamas, fabric softener will make this clothing article MORE FLAMMABLE!
Towels-
Any fabric softener will reduce a towel’s ability to absorb water, making them ineffective in drying or tending to spills.
This is so easy to make and leaves clothing soft.
Its the best Homemade Liquid Fabric Softener recipe.
Dawn says
I bought a package of sponges and put them in container then pour homemade softener in with sponges. So easy to get out and use. Everyone has such great ideas! Thanks for sharing.
Julee says
I love this idea! It’s cost effective, easy and brilliant
Wendy says
I love it!!!!! Use it all the time. I favorite smell is ocean breeze by suave. I only use 1 cup of vinegar though and I haven’t seen any difference. My laundry room smells amazing after it’s done. Every one always tell me how clean I smell.
Karen says
Can someone tell me what is the vinegar for and can you skip it
Julee says
The vinegar acts as a softener. You can skip it, but it won’t work as well.
Terry says
Is this ok to use on HE washers? Just got one and don’t want to mess it up but definitely like this idea for savings and because there would be a lot more choices for scents.
Julee says
Our washing machine is an HE and I use it with no issues. You can also soak old tee shirts in this liquid and squeeze them out and toss one in the dryer with the clothing–just make sure you wring it out really, really good.
Julie Smith says
Thanks so much! I will definitely make some of this up this week! (always looking to pinch a penny, but scratchy clothes are not the way I want to do it!)
Julee says
@Julie Smith: It’s so easy and we love it.