Honestly, I don't use fabric softener per se (I use homemade DRYER SHEETS) so I really didn't have anything to offer. But tonight I ran across a recipe that I think you're going to like...and I think I'm even going to try!
It contains all the ingredients that make sense to me to be in a homemade fabric softener, and it is super easy! (almost a prerequisite in my book!)
But I think the thing that really sold me on it was that you can either use it as a dryer sheet OR add it as a rinse to your clothes washer. It's always nice to have options. :-)
I think I'll try it both ways and see which one I like better. But I was so excited to find this and share it with you, I decided to break my own unwritten rule and post about it before I tried it. I'm going to take barefootmommawv's word for it who posted it on Food.com. And of course I will update after I've given it a whirl with my own laundry.
Ingredients:
6 cups water
3 cups white vinegar
2 cups hair conditioner
Directions:
1. Mix water, vinegar, and hair conditioner in a 1 gallon container; stir. Do not shake it; it will cause foaming.
2. Use the same amount you normally use in a rinse cycle or spritz it on a wash cloth and throw in dryer.
F.Y.I. - This makes a whole gallon of softener. If you have storage space issues or you just don't think you'll EVER go through that much softener (especially is you are utilizing the "spritz" technique), cutting the amounts in HALF would be pretty simple (even for mathematically-challenged me!)
***UPDATE***
I just couldn't stand it! I had to make this! I had an incredibly busy day yesterday...important meeting, lots of paperwork to be done...but I somehow managed to squeeze this into my morning. Not that it's that HARD! It literally took like 5 minutes to make. But then, of course, I had to try it out! Which meant doing a test load of laundry. By the time I was finished I was ALMOST late to my meeting...but made it in the knick of time! :-)
I took the advice of one of the comments below and heated up both the vinegar and the conditioner in the microwave just a little bit before mixing in the bowl. Then I poured it all into this jar I found at Walmart that I was planning on using in my pantry reorganization project. I'll just have to go buy another one. :-)
I did a load of white towels and used about 1/2 a cup of the liquid softener in the last rinse cycle. The towels definitely came out soft (and clean), but I was a little disappointed that there wasn't MORE of a scent to them. I might try a little more next time. But overall I was very pleased with this recipe.
FWIW...I think the idea that several people made in the comments section about just using straight vinegar with a few drops of essential oils as a fabric softener has a lot of merit as well.
Vinegar truly is an amazing all-purpose product.
* * * * * * * * * *
UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: An astute visitor noticed my sudsy finished product and surmised I may have mistakenly used a bottle of BODY WASH instead of CONDITIONER...because...get this....Olay doesn't MAKE hair products! lol!
Wow....two FAILS in one week. (See World's Easiest Boiled Eggs). I could get FIRED for something like this! Oh wait...I run the joint. whew!
Good news is the recipe isn't a fail...just my execution. So hopefully you all did as I SAID and not as I DID! ;-)
Oh well....tomorrow is another day....and I'm pretty sure this won't be my last goof on this blog. Comes with the territory I'm afraid. Sillee Jillee.
Soft, fluffy laundry at a rock bottom price is today's.....
I have beenaking this recipe for fabric softener. About a year too! It is as good as any store bought and very affordable!
ReplyDeleteThank you Marsha! Now I can take YOUR word for it too! Can't wait to try it. Especially in the rinse cycle. I've always been a dryer sheet girl. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am as addicted to food.com (and have been since the days it was recipezaar)as I am your blog,why did I never think to look for cleaner/cleaning "recipes"? Thanks for the recipe and the tip.
ReplyDeleteThank you...I am now starting to make my own everyday essentials and your blogs are really useful!!! I guess I would fall in the "why didn't I do this earlier" category, lol! Thanks again :)
ReplyDeleteWow, I love this idea! Now, who can tell us which hair conditioner smells good enough for the laundry? I will be spritzing washcloths...brilliant!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great use for my conditioner thats not doing a great job on my hair. It's even lavender scented, my preferred laundry scent!
ReplyDeleteI've been using this recipe for a while now - it's wonderful. When Suave is on sale for a buck a bottle, I stock up. I use either lavender or the light green (fresh rain?) scent.
ReplyDeleteI use vinegar in my wash and throw a few homemade lavender sachet (http://www.ecokaren.com/2009/07/what-to-do-with-socks-without-their-partners/) in the dryer so I never need a fabric softener. I've heard that if you use a fabric softener - anything that's made with liquid like hair conditioners - the lint screen gets clogged and the vent gets coated with the stuff and makes dryer less efficient. So I stopped using fabric softeners, dryer sheets or liquid and use vinegar and my sachet.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of that Jill?
I have heard of this as well and its definately true. You can check your screen by pulling off the lint and running some water over it. If the water pools up or forms droplets, then it needs to be scrubbed with dish soap & water. Rinse & air dry
DeleteI have heard of this as well. The kennore tech came to see what was wrong with our dryer and he asked to see the filter from the dryer. I assured him that we clean it after every cycle. He said he didn't doubt that I did do that but he wanted to show me something. We went over to the sink and put the filter under running water. It was puddling up on the filter rather than going through. He said if you clean your filter like this every 2 weeks that it will actualy double the life of your dryer. So I don't mind cleaning A bit more often to save money on self made products and save money on that dryer I won't be purchasing anytime soon ;-)
DeleteI use Sauve Lavender Scent conditioner. I suggest you dissolve your conditioner first in HOT water then add the vinegar. Works great though & I love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm sensitive to fragrances other than essential oils. The softener I've used for over 4 years is 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water (distilled or tap), adding lavender or other on-hand essential oils for fragrance. The only time I make a big batch (a 4-ounce spritz bottle lasts forever!) is for graduation gifts. One small bottle should last most college students until graduation, and it's easier to haul to the laundry room than a bottle of softener.
ReplyDeleteCould you still soak your rags in this softner and toss them in the dryer or would that be too much? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow- conditioner? Who knew?!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas on your site! Thanks! I am interested in trying both the laundry detergent AND fabric softener, but I'm curious about if you all have the new HE washers or not. Has your product caused any problems with them?
ReplyDeleteecokaren....I have heard that about DRYER SHEETS...but haven't heard anything like that about regular fabric softener (or homemade kind).
ReplyDeleteAnony...that's actually what I do now! Soak small cut up pieces of washcloth in fabric softener (store bought, since I haven't made this us yet) and throw in the dryer. Been doing this a long time and it works great for us!
Kel...I don't have an HE washer, but LOADS of people on here do and have said these products are just fine in them.
Here's one comment from an earlier post: http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/01/complete-photo-guide-to-making-your-own.html
Alayna said...
My mom and I both use this is our HE machines. It works great! I have been using it for a year and my mom has been using it for several years. As for the measurements, we use old laundry softener bottles, you know, the ones with the big lids? Dump in about 2 lids worth of detergent, which works out to be about a 1/3 of a cup. If I am washing really dirty things, like the kids' clothes or towels, I will use another lid-full. We have also noticed that our whites are not as white as they should be, so you can use bleach or oxiclean or any laundry booster really, to help with that. I don't suggest the homemade oxiclean just because it has to soak for several hours (preferably overnight) and with front load HE machines, the soak cycle is only about 20 minutes. We buy oxiclean at Sams Club and use about 2 tablespoons per load of whites or really dirty loads. One box has lasted us almost a year, pprobably 9-10 months, doing 6-10 loads a week.
January 25, 2012 4:39 PM
Got any ideas on a natural home made hair spray and hair gel? Crazy question, I know..but, i think you could find sumthing.. Ur Jillee! ;)
ReplyDeleteecokaren is exactly right! I had to get my washing machine repaired a couple years ago. A hose was clogged. The repair guy told me that fabric softener and really dirty clothes clog the hoses if you do not use really hot water to break up the dirt and chemicals. He also told me to stop using dryer sheets. The chemicals coat and clog the lint trap filter and causes fires. Once a month I run my lint trap under water and scrub it with a brush. I buy the gallon size vinegar bottle and add about 20-30 drops of lavender ess. oil to it. The vinegar helps softens clothes too.
ReplyDeleteI love your site. Your miracle stain remover is the best. I removed stains that nothing else could get out! Thank you :)
I also use just vinegar and essential oils in place of fabric softener. I fill one of those Downey Ball things to the fill line with vinegar and add about 10 drops of essential oil and just throw it in the washer at the beginning of the load. With the Downey Ball you don't have to wait for the rinse cycle, the vinegar eliminates static and softens and the essential oil makes it all smell fabulous! The Michael's in my area has Essential Oil Blends that smell like they came right out of a Downey Bottle! It's cheap, easy, doesn't harm my dryer and it's better for the enviornment and my family's sensitive skin :)
ReplyDeleteAnytime I've used oils, it stains my clothes.....any ideas?
DeleteTo all you dryer sheet girls: Using dryer sheets leaves a film on your dryer's filter. To check yours, pull out your filter and run water on it. Most likely, if you use dryer sheets regularly, your filter will hold water. Obviously, if water can't get through, air flow is being limited. Be sure to clean your filter regularly with a cleaning solution.
ReplyDeleteWe have started using this and homemade laundry detergent and we LOVE IT! We will never go back.
ReplyDeleteCan you pour this into one of the Downy balls?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a winner. Instead of a wash cloth I think I'll try a sponge.
ReplyDeletelove your blog. I'm so excited to get start on making my homemade every day essentials. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI've been making my own LAUNDRY DETERGENT for about a year now ... and am so glad to find this recipe to do the FABRIC SOFTENER & DRYER SHEETS. Can't wait to make and share with my friends!
ReplyDeletedoes anyone have a recipe for say a gallon batch using just the essential oils? Can it be mixed up ahead of time like this recipe?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if this is ok for people with sensitive skin?
ReplyDeleteIs there a possibility that you may have mistakenly used body wash instead of conditioner? The mixture should not be foamy or bubbly. Also, I don't believe that Olay makes a conditioner. I just noticed that I have the exact same bodywash in my bathroom right now.
ReplyDeleteAlso, a non-silicone conditioner (the cheap ones such as Suave, VO5, etc.) would probably leave less of a film on the washer and dryer.
Well color me embarrassed! You are right! I dug through the trash to try to confirm this, but couldn't find the bottle. But one quick search on Google and I knew you were right. Wow. Two epic fails in one week! (see World's Easiest Boiled Eggs) I'm on a roll. lol!!
ReplyDeleteI hope I don't get fired! Oh wait...I can't get fired! I run the joint! yahoo!
But seriously...thanks for pointing this out. Although now I'm sad...because it smelled so darn good. :-)
I am a mom and a fire fighter as well. This comment is for the questions concerning your dryer lint screen and softners. Many dryer fires are started by lint screens and clogged dryer vents. Quite common. BUT here is a simple rule of thumb to prevent a dryer fire due to build up. About once a month, depending on the amount of laundry you do, take out your dryer lint screen. Rinse it with warm water and use a soft tooth brush to scrub it clean. It is simple maintenance we should all do reguardless of use of softners or not. The tale tale sign it is time to soak and scrub, put your screen under running water. If it holds water it needs cleaning. There is more than one reason for this "clogging" effect, fabric softner, type of fabrics, laundry soap not rinsing completely out, lint build up not releasing when you swipe. General rules to always follow and you will have an efficient long life and fire hazard free dryer.
ReplyDelete1 clean lint trap after each dryer cycle.
2 wash lint trap after about 20-30 loads or once a month (let it air dry on counter before putting back in dryer)
3 follow mnufacturer instructions on clothing and heat settings
4 get dear hubby or assistance for this one, open the top of your dryer (if front loading) get the old shop vac or vac cleaner and use the hose to suck out the excess lint inside of your dryer, staying clear of wires and belts, Oh and unplug your dryer from outlet first!
On the above mentioned you can also call an appliance repair and get general maintenance cleaning for fairly reasonable price. This should be done once a year. You will be amazed at what lies inside your dryer that you dont acually see.
5 while doing number 4 clean and clear out the hose to the dryer for discharging vent, this is a commonly forgotten area and causes alot of fires itself.
There is no reason you shouldnt use softner in your laundry, just make sure to do a little simple maintenance and all will come out smelling fresh as a daisy.
I agree with Cass, does anyone know if you can put this mix in a downy ball?
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! Have you had any problems with it giving your clothes oily spots? Is there sensitive skin baby conditioner? The last things I need are more scents and irritants.
ReplyDeletejill i love all of your ideas!!!! thank you so much for sharing them with us all!!! you have taught me more than i've dever known!! i'm an "ocd" cleaner....and boy have your homemade recipes been helping me out!!! you are great!! xx
ReplyDeleteTotally use this and love it! Saves boatloads of money.
ReplyDeleteAttn: Vinegar users! How much of the vinegar/essential oil mix do you use? Do you use it in the washer or the dryer?
ReplyDeleteCan you spray it on a washcloth and use it in the dryer? Would it be better to soak the washcloth in it?
Mom/firefighter...thank you so much for the great advice about dryers! Really good information to know.
ReplyDeleteKia....I don't see any reason why you couldn't put this in a dryer ball.
Jane...no oily spots at all!
Bethany...you are so welcome! I'm so glad these help you in your "ocd" cleaning. ;-) Just don't overdo it. lol.
for the lady that asked about homemade hair gel... google "flaxseed gel" there are videos on youtube as well...
ReplyDeleteThanks! I saw lemon n water.. Then sugar n water.. Im searching on ur tip now, thanks!
DeleteThanks! I saw lemon n water.. Then sugar n water.. Im searching on ur tip now, thanks!
DeleteI have a HE washer but I'm not seeing any thoughts on whether you can add this mixture to the actual softner compartment. Should it be used strictly in a downy ball?
ReplyDeleteI was very excited by this post and, having all the necessary ingredients on hand, I whipped up a batch. I've run it through several batches of laundry to this point and here are my thoughts. Keep in mind that this may work different for different people based on the softness of their water, etc.. I have an HE front loader, and I put the rinse in the machine dispenser. In my opinion, I have been getting nearly the same results using vinegar and essential oil, like many others. The scent from the conditioner did not seem to linger in the clothes like I hoped, and the clothes weren't any softer or less static-y. I would be interested to hear what others who are trying it think, and I will use up the batch I made and see if I notice any difference over the long haul, but it's looking like my tried-and-true vinegar with a few drops of essential oil in the rinse dispenser may be my fall back softener. also, I'd like to share that I have recently learned of putting a ball (or two) of aluminum foil in your dryer to cut down on static--and I really like it. Not that I really have a lot of static anyway (vinegar rinse seams to help with that) but all the pet hair that wants to electromagnetically adhere to some of the clothes seems powerless against the foil ball.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your ideas!! I have made the laundry soap and it works great. Just made the softener über excited about this! I have an HE washer and NO issues at all!!!
ReplyDeleteMy son works for a plumbing supply co. They also sale appliances. One of the reps told him that you should periodically take you dryer vent out and wash it if you use dryer sheets. He didn't say anything about the softeners in the wash. It probably wouldn't hurt to do it either way. I am going to make this very soon. Sandy
ReplyDeleteI made my first homemade fabric softener. I wanted something that wouldn't leave a residue in my fab soft dispenser but make the clothes soft, smell nice and no static. I made a small batch to start. 4 cups water, 4 cups white vinegar and 1 cup of water based potpouri in Linen scent. Clothes are soft and not staticy (sp?) and the scent is light which is good for a family with allergies. I don't like heavy perfume scents so this worked great for me. You could probably add 2 cups for more scent. The bottle of potpouri was $3 for 34 ounces at Walmart.
ReplyDeleteO, I forgot to mention that I just give the jug a shake before using. I saved an emptly fab softner bottle. It was a large one since we have 6 people in our family to do laundry for. Next batch will fill the bottle and I just use 1 capfull per washload.
ReplyDeleteI just made this tonight and mine didn't really mix together the conditioner kind of clumped in the water and vinegar. Will it mix together by tomorrow? Did I do something wrong?
ReplyDeleteI have been using this and I love it. My jeans are so soft and since I don't really like a heavy scent on my clothes the original recipe is perfect. Like some stated above I did a half batch and put it in an old softner bottle for ease of use. I am telling my friends about it. It cost about $1 a bottle and could cost less if you use a coupon and sale price of the conditioner.
ReplyDeleteIf you soak a washcloth (or parts of one) in the softener, do you let it dry before using it in the dryer? I'm thinking it might makes spots if thrown in wet. No?
ReplyDeleteFor the lady that wanted to make hair gel, just use lemon jello and delute it to your thickness.. It can be in a jar thick, or thin and put in a spray bottle or squirt bottle. Start out with 2 TBS. 1 1/2 cups of warm water and mix together. ALWAYS refrigerate. I mix small portions so as not to get old. Apply to slightly damp hair roll up, crunch or blow dry, not harmful to hair. Also if in a hurry and don"t have time to wash and style hair, use a cotton ball dipped in alcohol and wipe down strand of hair and roll up, dries quickly. Especially handy for little girls who want their hair curled. Hope this is helpfull, used this on my baby who just turned 40 45 + year hairdresser
ReplyDeleteYOur website is the most amazing thing ever! I made the Lemon scrub in less than 2 minutes! and I will defintely be making this! I've bookmarked you! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteJus wanted to say absolutely love your blog! You have been saving me tons of money, i made your laundry detergent about 2 weeks ago and was in Walmart today and seen my old detergent went from 10 to 15 dollars insane! So thanks a lot for posting this awesome stuff!
ReplyDeleteshanda...that IS insane! That's how it ALL started for me! I just "hit the wall" one day and literally could not bring myself to pay that much for a bottle of detergent. Since I had to wash my clothes with SOMETHING...homemade was my only choice. What a wonderful choice it has turned out to be. :-) Thanks for sharing your experience!
DeleteI made my first batch today .. It did not make 1 gallon ,, it made a little over 2 litters.. I used a old coke bottle and filled it ... I also use suave and so far my loads are soft.. I needed a way to save money .. Thank you do much .. Can you use a dryer ball in a HE machine... ?? Thank you so much for this..,
ReplyDeleteI love that you used body wash on accident, totally something I would do! I can't wait to try this and the dryer sheets! Thanks so much for being the guinea pig!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU Jackie M! I suddenly feel a lot less foolish. ;-) By the way...I bought a lovely bottle of SUAVE conditioner on Saturday and made up a new batch today! SUCCESS!
ReplyDeleteOK...I have a dumb question. I was looking at those "dryer balls" at Walmart on Saturday and I don't really get it? lol. What do they do? Do they pummel your clothes into softness? or what?
I heard you were not suppose to put fabric softener on your towels. That they did not absorb as well.
ReplyDeleteI just made my first batch of fabric softener. Can't wait to use it. I very sensitive to so many thing so knowing what I put in it is sooo helpful to me1?!! Thanks
Yeah...those dryer ball things that look like bouncy balls?? I have no idea what their purpose is except to remove lint maybe? Do they keep it from being staticy?? Although, if you wash pillows and things, they do say to put tennis balls in the dryer to "reshape" them.
ReplyDeleteWho knows. I once put dish soap in my dishwasher! In my defense, I was 19, and the bottle said "dish soap"!
Has anyone tried spraying it on the washcloth yet? If so, do you leave it wet or let it dry before throwing it in the dryer?
ReplyDeleteI would wet it first so it doesn't soak up all the liquid.
ReplyDeleteI skipped the hair conditioner and used 2 ounces of my favorite Scenty Room Spray instead. Less oil residue, great smell.:-)
ReplyDeleteThis recipe has been around for quite some time and is awesome. I have been using it myself for ell over a year. The great thing is that you can use ANY conditoner with ANY scent. It's completely customizable. I use Suave because I usually buy it on sell when I have a coupon and doesn't cost me a thing! I have a HE machine and put it in the fabric softener as I would any other fabric softener. Keep in mind that once month, I run vinegar through the detergent, bleach, pretreat, and fabric softener sections on a short wash to keep any kind of build up. No one told me to do it, but I figured it couldn't hurt! I definately recommend trying this out. One thing to keep in mind, do not shake the mix because it will suds up. Just stir well. This stays a nice consistency and does no gel like I have heard others doing. It's awesome!
ReplyDeleteJackie M,
ReplyDeleteI don't think I made myself clear. I'm having a tough time trying to say what I mean. What I mean is if you soak the washcloth or spray it with the softener, do you just spray/soak it and throw it in or do you let the softener kind of dry on the cloth first. If it is wet with softener will it leave spots?
I made this Fabric softener just this week and I really like it, however, I was a little dissapointed that the vinegar smell was so strong! Do you think using 2 cups instead of 3 would make a difference?
ReplyDeletehmwrkr2...you can just wet the washcloth, throw it right in and start the dryer. No need to wait for it to dry. I do this all the time. I just try to avoid letting it "sit" on any one piece of clothing before I start the dryer. Haven't had any problems with spots.
ReplyDeleteMelissa...I am liking this recipe more and more each time I use it! Good tip about keeping the build-up in check.
Jackie M....well YOU'RE no help! lol! j/k. I guess it's going to remain a mystery. :-)
Oh..I forgot. Anony...I don't think there would be any harm in cutting back on the vinegar. Just might not get the full effect of the vinegar's softening. I say go for it. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so happy, I recently figured out I'mm having an allergy problem with fabric softener i was using, I haven't been using anything and well you can guess some of the issues. Seeing this, I have a load of wet laundry in the washer right now and I'm off to make a 1/2 batch right now!! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteHey....I never said I was the brains of this operation! :)
ReplyDeleteThe downy ball works via centripetal force (or centrifugal if you're the ball). During the spin cycle, the plug thing somehow comes loose and releases the liquid in time for the rinse cycle. I think anyway. Sounds good, right? ;) Those spiky, bouncy ball looking things are different than the downy ball.
ReplyDeleteI did this with a slight modification. Instead of conditioner I just used fabric softener. I had some left and regular liquid fabric softener was a;ways too strong for me. Works great! :)
ReplyDeleteTammy Miler, did you mean to say Scentsy room spray?? That would be awesome!
ReplyDeleteI made this about two weeks ago with a Suave conditioner that smelled very good and clean, but when I open my Downy bottle that I've stored it in, ALL I smell is straight vinegar. MY clothes don't smell bad or anything, but I'm starting to miss my Downy because it smelled SO good! Maybe I will try the essential oils and it will smell a little better.
ReplyDeleteOk. I didn't see an answer to this question...Can you add the essential oil to the whole batch? or do you have to add it at every wash. I know me and know I won't add it everytime. I am loving the original recipe for the fab. soft. I put it in a large old softner bottle for ease of use.
ReplyDeleteI have also been using the homemade dryer sheets. I soak mine and let them dry before using so I don't have to worry about spots on my clothes. I am loving it.
JIll I am loving your blog and it is great to know there is someone out there who laughs at herself when she misses up. If you can't laugh at yourself then who can you laugh with?
I'm new to your site and so far LOVING it! I couldn't figure out how to search your posts so I apologize if this has been posted before but I was wondering if you've tried homemade wrinkle releaser? I few months back, I was tired of paying a ton for a bottle of wrinkle releaser so I looked it up online. It's 1 cup water and 1 tsp fabric softener. I used my old bottle and poured them in and then shook the bottle and it works great. Just wanted to pass along the info if you hadn't tried it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIMPORTANT: Please Please be VERY careful using lavendar oil. It is known to alter hormones and cause breast development in boys. This is a fact. Google it. And please use another essential oil if you have young boys in your home.
ReplyDeletekidslovetohomeschool....great idea! Might as well use that stuff up. I STILL have half a bottle left that I've had for probably close to a year now!
ReplyDeleteJordan...Have you ever tried any of the fragrance boosters? I like to use the Downy Unstopables when I am missing the "smell" :-) You can read more about it here:
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2011/11/couple-of-product-recommendations.html
Anony (Feb 9)...I add the essential oils to the whole batch. And thanks...I have to laugh at myself a LOT! lol. Better than any of the alternatives huh? ;-)
Anony #2 (Feb 9)...I haven't noticed any staining with the oils since it is so diluted when I add just the few drops to the whole batch.
Dolphinwmn...I have NOT tried the wrinkle releaser...but I'm going to NOW! Thanks for the suggestion! You'll probably see it in an upcoming post! lol. :-)
Julie...thank you for the warning. I have not heard this before. Will definitely be looking into it further.
One thing to consider is the purity of the essential oils you are using in this recipe or others. The cheaper brands cut their solutions with oil to stretch them. You may want to invest in a higher quality of E.O. One way to test yours is to place a drop on a piece of white computer paper. Leave over night to dry and check it the next day. If it is pure E.O. there will be no residual left on the paper other than the scent. If it is a cheap one that has oil added, it will leave a oily stain on the paper. If it leaves a stain on the paper then it will leave a oily stain on your clothes.
ReplyDeleteI've been using this recipe for awhile now and love it! The only concern I have is, I've noticed it doesn't help with static. Does anyone know something I could add that might help this issue?
ReplyDelete... Just a quick note. I've used liquid softner for years, but deluted it.. mixing 1/3 softner and 2/3 water. Then I use a plain kitchen sponge, cut into pieces about 2" x 3". I keep the cut up sponges in the jar of deluted softner. Keep the jar on the dryer for ease of use. Then, when needed, I just reach in and get 2 or 3 pieces,squeeze out the liquid, and toss into the dryer along with the clothes. You get the smell and softness you like and 1 small bottle of softner makes up enough to last for several months, if not a year. I have never had any build up on my lint screen (have tested and never holds water). The cut-up sponges would work well with this recipe too. Just remember to put the sponges back in the jar after you empty the dryer !
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea!! I am thrilled about this and can't wait to try it... I am SICK and TIRED of paying $10 for softener ---pfffft! Just today I washed ALL of my towels using a tip I read on PINTEREST about using vinegar in a first wash with towels and then washing the same load with baking soda. My towels, which have seen MUCH better days and have been used for more clean ups around the house than I'd rather think about, came out smelling AMAZING and are soft and absorbent (yes I tried one after a shower :-))... so I can't wait to try your recipe for softener!! YAY!
ReplyDeleteDeborah....great information! I had no idea. But that makes a lot of sense and could explain why some oils are leaving oily stains. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAnony....I agree......pfffffft!!!! ;-)
Mandy...I haven't noticed any static issues personally....but I've read that some people throw a ball of aluminum foil in the dryer and that takes care of static too! Worth a try. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Jillee...thanks for sharing this recipe...I have found quite a number of recipes but I think I would give this one a try first. But, I have a question tho' since one of the ingredient is vinegar, would it have any effect on the fabric/yarn if it used for example on delicate fabrics i.e. silks? I just do not want to ruin my clothings if it would not do good in the long run as oppose to cottons or the likes...Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteQuestion? I made this and it keeps seperating. Is it suppose to do that? I used Sauve lav condintioner along with the vinger and water.. what am I doing wrong?
ReplyDeleteThanks
For the people questioning if vinegar is safe for sensitive skin: I have VERY sensitive skin. When I get extra itchy, I put vinegar in my bath water and take a good, long soak. I feel much less itchy and my hair is much softer and silky as the vinegar has rinsed out any excess conditioner.
ReplyDeleteLeena...if you are washing delicate items by hand, follow the garment's care instructions, and add 1 or 2 tablespoons of vinegar to the last rinse to help remove soap residue.
ReplyDeleteJessica....hmmmm...not sure why it's separating...but I don't think it will hurt anything. Just give it a little shake before you use it.
Thanks for the information about sensitive skin and vinegar Anony!
Jill, thanks
ReplyDeleteJust as a heads up, I've been using that same exact jar to infuse the vinegar I use to clean my kitchen with grapefruit peels. After 3 weeks my lid rusted shut. My super althletic military man couldn't even get it open. Had to throw my most recent batch of vinegar and jar away. You might want to line your lid with plastic wrap or something.
ReplyDeleteGreat recipe! I might try this for my families clothes. My friend and I have a laundry service from our homes, and we use just white vinegar in the rinse cycle as our fabric softner. We don't ad and type of scents because everyone has different preferences.
ReplyDeleteDallas Laundry Care
Alright I'm trying it today! I'm so sick of buying expensive stuff even when I'm a couponing queen! Conditioner and vinegar is still cheaper! Gotta go find a good smelling cinditioner in my stock!
ReplyDeleteI have to use HE in my Washer for laundry soap and softner, will this work?
ReplyDeleteif i can make a suggestion ...i make my own fabric softner but we use sponges let them soak in a gal. jug and as we need them we pull them out ring it out to about almost dripping throw it in and put it back in the jug when the dryer is done !! works well with us !!
ReplyDeleteI think that the dryer balls are used to break up the laundry in the dryer so that you're not drying a big clump of wet clothes. It fluffs them as the dryer is turning to seperate them. I use some woolen balls for the same purpose. Really cuts down on the drying time.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great recipe...IF...you use a non-toxic hair conditioner AND you don't use one with chemical fragrance. Most of the ones that I see mentioned in the comments are toxic and contain chemical fragrance. Otherwise it's a great idea if you really must use one. I don't use fabric softener because I only use natural fabrics and they don't need them. Certainly not on towels because you want them to be absorbant. The only items that need static removed are nylon, polyester, acrylic and other synthetic (petroleum product) fabrics. If you are really addicted to the "smell" then use essential oils instead of toxic chemical fragrance.
ReplyDeleteRegarding essential oils do not use ones that are extracted with solvents. And to the person who said lavendar use is unsafe for young males that would actually be Tea Tree oil not Lavendar. Even then I would be more concerned about the endocrine disruptors in most products like chemical fragrances, most of the shampoos, conditioners, body wash, etc. found on grocery store and market shelves.
Chemical dryer sheets and fabric softeners like Downey, Bounce, etc. are very toxic. And they not only harm you and your family but also anyone near you such as at the store, the movies, a restaurant, your workplace. And when vented through the dryer vents the fumes travel and cause harm to your neighbors too.
So kudos for the great recipe but make sure to use non-toxic ingredients.
This website has great prices and lots of selections for essential oils as well as a premade all natural hair conditioner. Just stick with the EO's and not the Fragrnce oils which do have chemicals in them.
weww.organic-creations.com
More info for you on toxic laundry products...
ReplyDeleteDo you really know what’s in your laundry detergent and fabric softener? Would you be surprised to learn that there are up to 500 chemicals hidden in the ingredient called “fragrance”? Most of them are toxic and some have been banned for years by the Environmental Protection Agency. Yet they are hidden in your products under the “trade secret” laws.
Do you think that they can’t sell it in the stores if it isn’t safe? Wrong! There is no testing for safety or regulation by any agency of the chemicals used in fragrance. So while you may love the “snuggly soft” smell of your favorite scented laundry detergent and/or fabric softener it is busy poisoning you and your family. These chemicals build up and stay in your clothing, bed linens, etc. and everywhere you go you are forcing others to breathe these chemicals too. The fumes that vent out of your dryer vents may smell nice to you but in the meantime they may be forcing your neighbors to run inside and lock up their doors and windows so that they don’t fall unconscious or have a seizure. Often they will suffer for days from swelling of the brain, headaches, burning eyes, inability to think straight or walk straight. Nausea, vomiting and a long list of other reactions are also common. And not only do these chemicals build up in your laundered items but they are also building up in your blood causing cancer and other dangerous health problems. Are those “smell good” chemicals really worth the health problems that they cause? Almost every name brand laundry detergent has a dye free/perfume free (Free and Clear) product that is much safer for you, your family, neighbors, co-workers and those you come in contact with on a daily basis. If you want to go one step further you can purchase and use environmentally safe products in most stores which is an even better choice. Help keep our lakes, streams and oceans free of chemicals that are harming everyone.
GO FRAGRANCE FREE – Your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers will thank you!
For more information do an internet search for toxic laundry products
Try these safer products:
Ecos, Seventh Generation, Costco Kirkland Environmentally Friendly, Planet, etc.
Just want to say thank you for Sharing all of this.. I am a military spouse and wanted to find ways to save up retirement money for myself and my husband.. So far I am making the laundry detergent and fabric softener.. I also gave the recipe to my sister who is on bed rest due to a pregnacy and can't afford a lot of things do you know if this is safe for baby clothes???? Or is their a different recipe for that ???
ReplyDeleteOk, my brain is working overtime here (do you smell something burning?!?) but I have questions...
ReplyDeleteIf you are going to spritz the softener, why not just put the clothes (or whatever) in the dryer and spritz the general pile of clothes? Why do you need to spritz a washcloth (or piece)? If spraying directly on clothing might leave some kind of mark, wouldn't putting a wet piece of washcloth on the pile of clothing leave the same (if not worse) mark? I'm probably over-thinking, but it would not be the first time... thanks for your patience, love the diy recipes!!!
I am a new subscriber. All I can say is awesome!
ReplyDeleteYour update to the update made me smile!
ReplyDeleteI love your laundry soap and dishwasher soap, but need to change up the fabric softener. I used coconut Suave conditioner, and my clothes are so full of static, my daughter actually asked me if her clothes were going to catch fire in her bed :-) Keep the great ideas coming!
ReplyDeleteHi. I made the Fabric softener with water, vinegar and essential oil like someone said earlier. The only oil i could find, that i liked, was cinnamon leaf. It's so bizarre, but i swear the stuff smells like pickles. LOL. Anyway, a hairdresser friend told me that the conditioners have wax in them, so i am afraid to try that one, but i would really love to use one of the wonderful smelling ones that are out there. I still have a static issue, so i tried the foil ball idea from above and that helps i think, but not totally. Should we use a different ball each load or keep using the same one? Ha ha, i know, i'm a newbie. I also made sure the essential oil was pure by putting it on a piece of paper overnight, like the guy above suggested. I need to get out more!
ReplyDeleteOmygosh! Made this today and my clothes have never been so soft! I used cheap herbal essence conditioner.
ReplyDeleteHi there!
ReplyDeleteYesterday I made a batch of your fabric softener and since I own a front load HE washing machine, I thought I could share my thoughts.
The softener needs to be shaken every time before use because water tends to get at the bottom of the bottle. In the front load machines you put the softener in the appropriate compartment until the max line.
It did soften the clothes (but the vinegar alone does the same thing exellently) but it didn't leave any nice smell behind :(
I think next time I'll try with a dead cheap loaded w fragrance conditioner and I'll give it a last try! Btw, this time i used a Pantene conditioner that I hated...
Where can one find these essential oils?
ReplyDeleteAnony...you can find out more information about Essential Oils in this post:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/02/essential-oils-101.html
Hope this helps! :-)
I am using this same recipe for sometime now, & I love it! I pour it into a Downy ball, & throw it in at the start of my wash. If you use more conditioner it makes the mix too thick! I tried it & ended adding more vinegar to thin it down! I have no problem with the vinegar smell.
ReplyDeleteI made this batch , got the recipe from another blogger but it's the same recipe, used the suave conditioner....vingegar and water....I have an HE machine, front loader, what I have found is there is not enough of a softener agent to get rid of the static, everything comes out of the dryer shocking me...not sure I want to continue using it.
ReplyDeletePrimginger...that is odd. I have never experienced that before. :-/
ReplyDeleteSuave has a peppermint and mint conditioner ($1.09 at Target) for a big bottle! Smells great!!!!
ReplyDeleteWill have to give it a try. My kids are sensitive to some fabric softeners so maybe this will be a bit better for them since they do not have issues with any of the ingredients. Question though would this be like all other fabric softeners were you should not use it on flame resistant clothing?
ReplyDelete