Where have I been? Seems that every where I look, everyone knows about homemade fabric softener.
Except me.
But now, I do.
And I want to pass this on to those of you who have been living under the same rock that I’ve been under all these years.
Where this “recipe” really started, who knows. I found lots of people had posted the same recipe on Pinterest with no one giving credit to anyone in particular. This recipe actually came from One Good Thing by Jillee. So, at this point, Jillee is getting credit for saving me money and showing me how easy it is to find the “flavor” that I want to smell in a fabric softener.
This is a really difficult recipe, so for those of you who have bunions and corns, have a seat. The rest of you make sure you have carb-loaded before you begin.
Ready?
- 6 cups of Water
- 3 cups of White Distilled Vinegar
- 2 cups of Hair Conditioner (I used a $.99 15oz. bottle of Suave “Refreshing Waterfall”)
- Mix water and conditioner in an 8 cup glass measuring cup or large plastic pitcher. You will want to use a container from which you can easily pour. Using a whisk, gently stir until ingredients are incorporated.
- Pour vinegar into an old gallon fabric softener bottle and then pour in the conditioner/water mixture. Screw the lid onto the bottle tightly and gently shake. This is not a concentrated product so you will not need to add water when you use it in your washer.
You can also make your own dryer sheet by spraying a little softener on a rag and throwing it in with a load of laundry into the dryer.
I figure I spent about $2.50 for a GALLON of fabric softener as opposed to $6-$9 for the same amount at the grocery store.
If you don’t have a large bottle to store this much softener, reduce the water by half (to 3 cups) and use half as much as you normally use for a washer load.
I just finished a load and it needs a little more “flavor”. I would like to smell the softener, although I will tell you the clothes are nice and bright and soft and smell very fresh! I’ll work on the fragrance part.
I hope you all didn’t work up too much of a sweat while making this.
I think I need a nap now.
“There is only one quality worse than hardness of heart and that is softness of head.”
~Theodore Roosevelt
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{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
Could you just leave the water out and add it as a concentrate since it would be going into the washing machine water anyway?
Absolutely! Instead of using 1/3 cup or so, just use a tablespoon or 2. Should work just fine. Thanks for stopping by.
I love this! No chemicals, either.
And you can ALWAYS make this with a conditioner that is organic and fragrance free, too! And your laundry will still smell wonderfully fresh. Some people worry about whether their laundry will smell like vinegar and the answer is NO! Just clean and fresh!
At first glance I thought this was koolaid or an alcoholic beverage. Then I read its fabric softener. haha
Although I would not recommend drinking it, I guess you could. Bwwwahahahahaaha! Look further in the blog and you’ll find a great Bloody Mary.
I never thought to make my own softener but I can see what a great value that is. I was under the same rock as you Suzanne!
I don’t use fabric softener. i just rinse the clothes twice. My front-loader makes this easy. Not only will the clothes be softer, they stay the same color and they are cleaner. (Turn them inside out before washing and drying, also.)
Wow, I never knew about the inside out thing. I’ll have to give it a try!
Just hit the second rinse on my HE washer .Never thought of this .My clothes were already inside out : )
That rock must’ve been bigger than I thought, to hold you, Megan & me under it. LOL! This is a pretty good idea – and I like the part about spraying a cloth & using it as a dryer sheet!
I’m in good company for sure!
For fragrance, I add a few drops of my favorite essential oils. My personal favorite is lemongrass and clove. It gives it just a little smell without being overpowering. I personally don’t like flowery fragrances, but lavender is a popular scent as well. Go to a store that sells homemade soaps and smell the combinations and pick your favorites!
I love that it is so versatile, too. Great suggestions!
I love this! I have sensitive skin, so I can’t wait to try this with my super natural conditioner
) Thank you for posting!!
Gee, Katie, I am so glad. I hadn’t thought of the sensitive skin aspect. Wooohooooo!
I have really sensitive skin too. I also have to be really careful with scents…..if they are too strong they give me a migraine. I used the cheapo Sauve Conditioner that had lavander in it. Came out wonderful and doesn’t bother anyone in the houses skin or give me a headache. In fact, when the clothes come out of the dryer you can’t even smell the scent.
I’m planning on making batches of this up and put in a decorative bottle to give as christmas presents. With the recipe written out on a recipe card. My sisters and I make presents to exchange with each other.
YAY!!!!! So glad it worked out. And I’ll definitely try the “Awesome”! Thanks for the tip!
I made this recipe… it only made half a gallon. Did I do something wrong?
No, not at all. It makes 10 cups all together, which is 80oz, a little over 1/2 gallon. It’s all good! Just double the recipe if you want more.
I cant wait to try this. Do you think it will work if I put it in my Downy ball at the start of my wash as I do with the store bought stuff?
Yes, just don’t use the water. Those balls were meant to be used with the concentrate. Let me know what you think!!!!
My washer uses HE detergent and softener. Could this formula be used with my washer.
In my opinion, I don’t think there would be a problem. There is nothing “foamy” about any of the ingredients.
According to another site with the same recipe. It is HE safe!
YAY! I was pretty sure, but it is nice to have validation.
You have a wonderful sense of humor and a beautiful site for people like me that wants to save a dollar or so at the grocery store! Just a hint….hopefully you have learned the value of a product that is sold at the dollar store for stain removal….it’s in a spray bottle in the household section of the store….look for AWESOME…..it truly is awesome….can be used for most anything around the house…but please do read the directions for dilution!
I’ll be sure and check it out! And thank you for stopping by!
I’ve been using Awesome for about 10 years. It is truly awesome. You can use it on almost anything. It gets ink off of anything.
This is great…I just decided to make my own laundry detergent and now you have supplied the fabric softener, can’t wait to try this.
Woooooohoooo! I love lucky days like that! Time to buy a lottery ticket! My oldest daughter makes our laundry detergent and I love it!
I use suave conditioner to shave my legs and underarms with…I’ve used it for many years…works so good and leaves your skin so soft..
I’ll have to try that! Great idea!
God bless you and thanks alot.
You’re very welcome. God bless you and yours, too!
Just hit the extra rinse on my HE washer .Saw the hint here that will make my clothes softer .I use homemade detergent and love it but wanted a little bit more smell and softness to my clothes .I’m going to try this first and then make the homemade fabric softner with condetioner .This sounds great .
I really like it! Let me know what you think. And thanks for stopping by and commenting.
i hang my laundry to dry and i found there is not much softness. so i half it with the store bought and the homemade one.
i lived in germany and they only have front loaders and the clothes come out much softer there. or the clothes i bought from there have better cotton !? either or, they are softer there!
I love to hang out sheets for drying, but not much else for the exact reason you mention. Sounds like a great idea!