Homemade Fabric Softener

Homemade fabric softener is really a thing you can make at home–and it really does work to soften even your roughest bath towels. There’s no reason to buy some when you can make your own homemade softener very inexpensively. Let us show you how!

Homemade Fabric Softener Liquid

Easiest Liquid Fabric Softener

Believe it or not, plain white vinegar is an effective fabric softener. And I’ll tell you why! Simply because white vinegar breaks down the hard water and mineral deposits that build up on your fabrics, especially towels. For the easiest “homemade” softener, just add a cup of white vinegar to your wash loads.

Vinegar + Essential Oils

Even though it really does rinse away, not everyone enjoys the scent of vinegar in the wash. So if you want to go a step further, you can make your own liquid softener that also smells good by adding essential oils to the vinegar. We like to add 10 drops of lavender and 10 drops of lemon to a bottle of vinegar. Label it “fabric softener” and put it on your laundry shelf!

Homemade Creamy Fabric Softener

It’s really easy to make a homemade creamy fabric softener that looks like what you buy in the store. Here’s what you need:

• 15 ounce bottle of hair conditioner {choose a blue variety to get a blue softener, or a scent you like in any color will do!}
• 6 cups of very hot water
• 4 cups white vinegar

Pour the bottle of hair conditioner into a large mixing bowl. Slowly add the hot water, whisking constantly. Whisk until all the water is added and the mixture is smooth. Now add the vinegar, again whisking to achieve a smooth, blended liquid fabric softener.

Use any empty plastic bottle to store your homemade liquid fabric softener between uses. As you would with commercial softeners, add your homemade softener to the dispenser in your washing machine. Fill to the full line. For older machines without a dispenser, use 2-4 tablespoons of homemade softener, depending on the hardness of your water. Adjust as needed.

Try this DIY homemade laundry detergent for cleaning all your dirty laundry.