Homemade Fabric Softner

susie53_gw

16 years ago

16 oz hair conditioner (any kind/smell you like)

3 cups vinegar

6 cups water

Mix well and pour into a softner bottle. Measure like you would any other softner.

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Comments (12)

jannie
16 years ago
Great-I've been looking for a recipe for this!
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
16 years ago
I'm looking forward to trying it. I wonder how much good fragrance one gets, since I like nice smelling soft stuff. I know others often don't want, or are often bothered by fragrant things.

Sue
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I guess the question is why would you use them? Sometimes there's the old that's the way we've always done it! philosophy and I avoid that policy often. My reasons for not using are the same reasoning as above. I don't use them because I simply don't need them. Why waste the money, time and effort? Plus I don't like my clothes to smell. When clothes smell,that's when I think they need to be washed. Most detergents now have a water softening agent in it so the "softening" aspect is moot. Dryer sheets do build up on the dryer sensors and why cause more maintenance? Save money, save labor. Static cling is occasionally an issue but I never found the sheets to really do that much. A can of Static Guard or it's frugal counterpart, a spray bottle of water to mist the clothes, is more effective. I have several poly blend and poly t-shirts and now in the winter, yes there's some static. So I give them a shake and all is well. Plus if I don't dry as dry, or "over dry" as some call it, that helps too. Don't want damp clothes but a bit of humidity in the air in the fibers is fine and deters static. I haven't even used vinegar for a long time. I'm just so happy with the way my clothes come out now, and simpler is better. Don't need the extra cost or labor.
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nicole_ont
16 years ago
Thanks!

I just made it, and am attempting to make dryer sheets with it. I soaked 4 wash cloths in it, squeezed out the excess and laid them out to dry. We'll see how it goes. :)
clairdo2
16 years ago
Wouln't it smell like vinegar...
nicole_ont
16 years ago
I think the smell of the vinegar dissipates very quickly as it dries & heats.
joyfulguy
16 years ago
Better vinegar on my clothes ...

... than off of my tongue!

Thanks for the recipe, Susie (who , claiming "53", doesn't look a day over 35).

ole joyful
nodakgal
16 years ago
Hmmmmmm that might be worth a try.
I'd guess its white vinegar you use. I don't think I'd try it with cider.
Thanks for posting it.
Marilyn Sue
16 years ago
I was going to suggest you post your recipe Susie. I plan on trying. Have the stuff to do it with anyway.

Sue
lilliepad
16 years ago
I use white vinegar as a last rinse a lot and clothes never smell like vinegar.
Nichole-I wonder if a good sturdy paper towel would work as a dryer sheet? I have washed paper towels before that came out of the washa nd dryer in one piece.Might try it.Something like bounty.You could even use the half sheet ones or cut/tear the sheet in half.
Chemocurl-You could add a nice fragrance oil or something like that for extra fragrance.
carol_in_california
16 years ago
I have found that by using the homemade laundry soap I don't need any softeners. I do have the blue dryer balls, however.
Even when I dry my clothes on the line, after using the homemade soap, I don't need a softener.
cynic
16 years ago
Vinegar is a good fabric softener by itself (use white vinegar) and it's also an excellent odor remover. When vinegar dries the smell is gone. Back when I used to use softener, I'd I started to dilute the softener, put it in a spray bottle and use a washcloth rather than use dryer sheets. Give it a couple sprays and toss it in the dryer. But since I learned to not overdry the clothes, static isn't an issue of any consequence and half a dozen dryer balls fluff and soften towels, jeans and the like. Plus not overdosing with detergent makes a big difference too.

I'm getting more and more sensitive to chemical smells. I get a headache going down a laundry aisle these days. Then there's the ones who are in competition with themselves... the smell from the laundry, then they marinate in cheap perfume or cologne, then add a powerful hairspray and deodorant to top it off!
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
16 years ago
Do you ever run into someone in the softener aisle and they too want to sniff all of the softeners? I got to talking and comparing softener smells with a lady the other day, while her hubby waited at their cart. I looked over at him and he rolled his eyes. He just didn't understand.

Homemade Fabric Softner

Comments (12)

jannie

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

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