If you want a more ecological or economical alternative to commercial fabric softeners, you can make your own at home.There are a few methods you can use.
Step 1: Combine 1 gallon of vinegar with 25 to 30 drops of essential oil
The essential oil should be put directly into the container of white distilled vinegar.The essential oil is not needed.The component responsible for making clothes softer is vinegar.It can make your clothes stiff and it can break down some of the minerals found in hard water supplies.You can use any scent you want if you decide to use essential oils.
Step 2: Add a small amount to your rinse cycle.
Just before the rinse cycle begins, add the same amount to the washer as you would the fabric softener ball.Before the primary wash cycle, do not add fabric softener to the machine.Take the rest of the fabric softener and put it in a container.Make sure that the fabric softener is labeled so that you don't accidentally use it for something else.Make sure that the essential oil and vinegar are not separated by shaking or stirring before use.
Step 3: Continue through the rinse cycle.
From this point on, you don't need to do anything special.Allow your rinse cycle to finish as usual.
Step 4: Baking soda and hot water can be combined.
Stir 1 cup of baking soda into 2 cups of hot water.Put the two ingredients in a container.The baking soda shouldn't be dissolved, but should be completely soaked.People who have hard water praise this homemade fabric softener.Baking soda prevents rinse water from being too acidic or alkaline.Mineral deposits found in hard water are also canceled out.Mineral deposits can cause clothes to be stiff.
Step 5: Slowly add the liquid.
Slowly add the white distilled vinegar to the mixture.When baking soda is dissolved, stir gently.The baking soda will cause a chemical reaction with the vinegar.You will end up with a mess if you pour the vinegar too quickly.Hard water can be softened with the help of vinaigrette, which strips soap and residuals from clothing.Some people think that the baking soda and vinegar cancel each other out.The buffer in the rinse cycle is the salt that is produced from the chemical reaction.Even after the reaction occurs, many of the elements that help softened clothes remain in the solution.
Step 6: If you want, you can scent the fabric softener.
If you want to make scented fabric softener, you need to add essential oil or scent booster.Either option should be put directly into the solution.25 to 30 drops is enough for essential oils.If you use scent booster, add 1/2 to 1/2 cup of the crystals to your water and stir until dissolved.The laundry aisle has scent booster.It is not a natural product, so it may not be preferable from an ecological point of view, but it will lend your fabric a pleasant scent and will save you money in the long run.
Step 7: During the rinse cycle, pour 1/2 cup into your washing machine.
If you want to add the same amount to the washer just before the rinse cycle begins, you can fill a fabric softener ball.Before the primary wash cycle, do not add fabric softener to the machine.Take the rest of the fabric softener and put it in a container.Before each use, shake or stir well.
Step 8: The rinse cycle should be run.
From this point on, you don't need to do anything special.Allow your rinse cycle to finish as usual.
Step 9: Combine hot water and hair conditioner.
In a large bucket or other container, stir together 3 cups (750 ml) white distilled vinegar, 2 cups (500ml) hair conditioner, and 6 cups of hot water.You can use any hair conditioner that you want.To make it more cost effective, choose a cheap brand.Since there are so many different types of conditioner on the market, your scent options are almost endless.This is not an "all natural" solution, but it is effective.The conditioner softened the fibers.
Step 10: Just before the rinse cycle, add 1/2 to 1/2 cup to your washing machine.
If you want to add the same amount to the washer just before the rinse cycle begins, you can fill a fabric softener ball with 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup.Before the primary wash cycle, do not add fabric softener to the machine.Take the rest of the fabric softener and put it in a container.Before each use, shake or stir well.
Step 11: Run the cycle again.
You don't need to do anything special from this point on.The rinse cycle should finish as usual.
Step 12: Place cotton cloth in small squares.
Cut clean cotton cloth into squares that are roughly 5 inches across each side.Cotton is a natural fiber, so it works well.Avoid fabrics that are too close together.Synthetic fabrics should also be avoided.It is possible to use a rag or old piece of cloth, but make sure it is clean.
Step 13: Each square should be sprayed with white vinegar.
A spray bottle is filled with distilled white vinegar.Place the spray on both sides of the square.Allow it to dry a bit.The cloth should be dry by the time you put it in the dryer.The only component in the formula that makes your clothes softer is the vinegar.Some of the effects should remain even though it is not as strong as a liquid fabric softener.
Step 14: Add a few drops of essential oil to a square.
Drop your essential oil onto the cloth square.If you spread the drops out, they will find their way into the fibers of the entire square.The essential oil will make your clothes smell nice.You can technically use this method without the use of essential oils, but since the effects are less powerful than a liquid fabric softener alternative, it would make more sense to take advantage of the deodorizing and re-scenting abilities.
Step 15: The scented fabric should be put into the dryer.
As you prepare to dry a load of clothes, place the scented fabric softener sheet directly into the dryer.A standard drying cycle can be run.You don't need to do anything special from this point on.Adding 3 drops or more of essential oil to the scent of the dryer sheet will refresh it.Give the sheet another spray of vinegar to refresh the properties.
Step 16: Coarse salt and essential oil should be mixed.
Add 20 to 30 drops of your favorite essential oil to 2 cups of salt in a medium bowl or container.All of the essential oil has to be spread over the salt.Any scent of essential oil can be used.You can combine scents to create your own scent.
Step 17: Baking soda can be used.
When evenly distributed, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda into the scented salts.Add the baking soda to your machine separately during the wash.
Step 18: 2 to 3 Tbsp is added to the rinse cycle.
Add scented crystals to the water in your washing machine before the rinse cycle.Only use a small amount of the fabric softener crystals.If you didn't add baking soda to the crystals, you can add up to 1/2 cup of soda in conjunction with the fabric in a load of laundry.Before the washing part takes place, do not add the fabric softener crystals at the beginning of the cycle.During the rinse cycle, add it to the machine.
Step 19: The rinse cycle should be run.
From this point on, you don't need to do anything special.The rinse cycle should finish as usual.