Making your own homemade fabric softener using white vinegar and essential oils is the perfect and easy solution to saving money and reducing your exposure to harsh chemicals.
Fresh Home Guide has developed this simple recipe to provide you with soft, clean clothes without breaking the bank. Continue reading to find out how to make your own natural fabric softener from white vinegar and essential oils!
Benefits of homemade fabric softener
Making your own fabric softener is a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to purchasing store-bought products, and it contains no harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances.
Furthermore, the natural ingredients are gentle on the skin, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Making your own fabric softener is also a great way to add a nice scent to your clothing without having to rely on synthetic fragrances, which can be irritating to some people.
Overview of recipe ingredients
To make homemade fabric softener, you will need white vinegar and essential oils. White vinegar is an effective natural cleaner and its acidic properties help to reduce the amount of bacteria in clothing. White vinegar also helps to soften clothes and reduce static cling.
Essential oils can be added for a pleasant scent to your garments. The type of oil used is completely up to you, but some of the most popular options include lavender, lemon, and eucalyptus.
Safety precautions
When making homemade fabric softener, it’s important to take safety precautions. Essential oils can be irritating to the skin and eyes, so wear protective clothing and eye protection when measuring out these ingredients.
Make sure that you store your homemade fabric softener in an airtight container away from direct sunlight or heat.
Preparing the Ingredients
Before getting started, you’ll need to gather the necessary ingredients and supplies.
For this recipe, you will of course need some white vinegar, your preferred essential oils, a funnel, measuring cup, and an airtight container.
Measure and mix white vinegar and essential oils
Using a measuring cup, measure out two cups of white vinegar. Once the vinegar is measured, add 10-15 drops of your chosen essential oil to the measuring cup.
Choose a storage container for the mixture
Next, find a suitable storage container for your fabric softener. A glass jar with a tight-fitting lid works best, but you can use any airtight container that you have on hand. Make sure to label the jar clearly so that you know what it contains.
Pour mixture into storage container
Finally, use a funnel to pour the mixture of white vinegar and essential oils into your chosen storage container. Once you have finished pouring, securely seal the lid of the jar and store it away from direct sunlight or heat.
Using the Homemade Fabric Softener
Once you have made your homemade fabric softener, using it is easy:
Choose suitable temperature settings on your washing machine
Before using the fabric softener, make sure to select the appropriate temperature settings for your laundry. Most fabric softeners work best when used on cold or warm water cycles in order to effectively remove static cling and soften fabrics.
Add fabric softener to the water in your washing machine
Once you have selected the appropriate temperature settings for your wash, add the homemade fabric softener to the water in your machine.
Typically, a quarter cup of fabric softener should be enough for one cycle of laundry. Make sure that all of the fabric softener has dissolved before adding your clothing to the washing machine.
Agitate the mixture for a few minutes
Once the fabric softener has been added to the water in your washing machine, let it agitate for a few minutes. This will help ensure that all of the fabric softener is evenly distributed throughout the cycle and that all of your clothing gets exposed to its softening effects.
Allow clothes to air dry or tumble dry as usual
Once the washing cycle is complete, allow your clothes to air dry or tumble dry as usual. The fabric softener should help soften and reduce static cling in your garments, leaving them feeling fresh and smelling great!
Store unused fabric softener in a cool dry place
Make sure to store any unused fabric softener in a cool, dry place. Proper storage will help preserve the scent and effectiveness of your homemade fabric softener for future uses.
Make sure that you always keep the container tightly sealed when storing to prevent evaporation and contamination.
Final Thoughts
Making homemade fabric softener is an easy and cost-effective way to keep your fabrics feeling soft and smelling great.
By taking the proper safety precautions, measuring the ingredients correctly, and storing leftover fabric softener in a cool dry place, you can ensure that your homemade fabric softener will be effective for many uses.
With just a few simple steps, you can use the power of essential oils to keep your fabrics feeling soft and smelling fresh!
FAQ
Q: How often should I use homemade fabric softener?
A: It is recommended that you use the fabric softener with each cycle of laundry to ensure that your fabrics stay soft and static-free. If you have a particularly large load of laundry, you may need to add more fabric softener than usual.
Q: What type of essential oils can be used in homemade fabric softener?
A: Any type of essential oil can be used when making homemade fabric softener; however, it is best to stick with light scents such as lavender, lemon, or eucalyptus. These lighter scents will help keep your fabrics smelling fresh without being overpowering. Additionally, make sure to use therapeutic grade essential oils, as these are of higher quality and will provide the best results.
Q: How should I store leftover fabric softener?
A: Make sure to store your unused fabric softener in a cool, dry place. Proper storage will help preserve the scent and effectiveness of your homemade fabric softener for future uses. Additionally, make sure that you always keep the container tightly sealed when storing to prevent evaporation and contamination.
