5 Amazing Natural Homemade Fabric Softeners to Try
Today I want to talk about natural homemade fabric softeners that don’t stink. That’s right. I need a fabric softener that doesn’t stink. You see, for most of my married life, I have to admit that fabric softener is not something I spent much time thinking about or purchased very often. Many times my mom would come over and comment on why I didn’t have fabric softener on hand and it was because of the scent issue.
The truth is my husband does not have a tolerance for strong flowery scents or I cannot tolerate the smell of any harsh household products. So with that said, our laundry was always washed pretty much unscented, without any added fabric softener.
The problem with doing laundry this way is that our bath towels were always a bit scratchy and work clothes sometimes had to be washed twice to get them smelling fresh. So I finally broke down and started doing research to find natural homemade fabric softeners that work well, and here’s what I found.
How do you make natural fabric softener?
1.Baking Soda Fabric Softener
I’ve used 1/4 cup of baking soda in the past to remove odors from the laundry and to soften the laundry. Baking soda also adjusts the PH levels of water, making it my first choice as a fabric softener. Just a 1/4 cup of baking soda added directly into the drum of the washer works great for softening clothes without adding any scent. Plus it’s really affordable!
2.Natural Glycerin Fabric Softener
1 gallon of water plus a 1/2 cup vegetable glycerin mixed in a jug will make a good supply of fabric softener that will last a while. It’s also scent-free unless you want to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
3.Epson Salt Fabric Softener
I will also use 1/2 cup of Epson salt in the laundry as a fabric softener because it works well to soften water and get clothes cleaner without, while keeping colors bright. It’s also a great way to remove laundry detergent build-up which also helps to soften laundry.
4.White Vinegar Fabric Softener
I used to be afraid of adding white vinegar in my wash until I realized that it not only softens laundry, but it remove odors as well. As a natural fabric softener that is also biodegradable and affordable it’s hard to beat. Just use 1/4 of a cup diluted in a 1/2 cup of water and add it to your rinse cycle.
5.Wool Dryer Balls to Soften laundry
Wool dryer balls soften laundry really well, without adding anything to your wash, or using dryer sheets. Plus they are natural and convenient. And since they’re reusable, they save you money over time. What’s better than that?
So, there you have it…natural homemade fabric softeners that work and don’t stink. And for those who like a bit of scent, you can always add your favorite essential oil to the mix.
Benefits of using natural homemade fabric softeners
- These natural homemade fabric softeners are easy to make without much effort or time involved
- You can stop putting chemicals into your laundry that can cause skin rashes and irritation
- Using homemade fabric softeners or dryer balls keeps laundry smelling fresh, soft and static free, without the added cost of store-bought products
- Natural homemade fabric softeners work as well, if not better as store-bought and are kind to the environment and biodegradable
This post was updated in 2024.
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