Homemade Fabric Softener - Inexpensive and Effective!

To soften your laundry inexpensively, try this recipe.  It's all natural and does a really great job for pennies.

To make this recipe, you will need -

• 6 cups of white vinegar
• 8 cups of tap water
• 1 cup of baking soda
• 15 drops of essential oil (your preference - optional)

In a large bowl or pan, mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of water.

Slowly add 6 cups of vinegar.  It will bubble up.  Just stir gently and remember to add a little at a time. 



Add vinegar carefully



Add the remaining 7 cups of water to the mixture.  Combine thoroughly. 

Add 15 drops of essential oil.  I used lemongrass this time.  Lavender would be nice too.  I bought my essential oil at the health food store.  There are so many varieties of oil that one could create virtually any scent.

Adding essential oil

To use, add to wash cycle as you would any commercial softener.  1/2 to 1 cup to per load seems soften sufficiently. 

Store in a loosely covered container.  I just used an old fabric softener bottle with the lid not on all the way. 

We're very happy with this softener and it only cost around $1.20 to make 112 ounces.