I haven't bought fabric softener in months. We've run out of the Downy I bought several years ago for $0.99 a bottle & have just been making do without softener or a splash of vinegar as necessary. While I haven't have any trouble with static I must admit I do miss the smell of softener on our towels & sheets, but I figured I wouldn't buy any unless I could get it for under $1 after sales & coupons.
Then I read the following DIY Fabric Softener on HillBillyHousewife.com & figured I'd try it out:
3 c vinegar
2 c hair conditioner
6 c water
While this recipe looked great, it was a little large for me, so I used this recipe conversion calculator to reduce the amount down.
I used hotel samples of conditioner that smelled like heaven, but were rather thin & after draining them in a funnel overnight ended up with 1/2 cup of conditioner.
While measuring the 1 1/2 cups of water, I funneled a little into each bottle so I could shake the remaining conditioner loose & not have any go to waste.
I then added 3/4 c of vinegar & poured all of it into a mason jar. Shake the mixture until it is evenly incorporated & voila, you have homemade fabric softener! I found an old measuring cup from coffee & intend to use that small amount (approx 1 T) per load as we have a HE washer.
I'm not certain that this is the most economical recipe, but if you happened to have free conditioner on hand then this is a great solution. Add this to some homemade laundry detergent & you've got a frugal laundry habit!
Happy washing!
Then I read the following DIY Fabric Softener on HillBillyHousewife.com & figured I'd try it out:
3 c vinegar2 c hair conditioner
6 c water
While this recipe looked great, it was a little large for me, so I used this recipe conversion calculator to reduce the amount down.
I used hotel samples of conditioner that smelled like heaven, but were rather thin & after draining them in a funnel overnight ended up with 1/2 cup of conditioner.
I'm not certain that this is the most economical recipe, but if you happened to have free conditioner on hand then this is a great solution. Add this to some homemade laundry detergent & you've got a frugal laundry habit!
Happy washing!
Awesome, definitely making some of this!
ReplyDeleteI have 2 bottles of conditioner in my shower now that have just a little left.
xo
Excellent! Let me know what you think. :)
ReplyDeleteI walk through my neighborhood everyday & it's amazing how you can smell fabric softener/dryer sheets wafting from the dryer vents on the sides of peoples houses. It's pretty overwhelming somedays.
ReplyDeleteI use unscented Bounce dryer sheets & would love an alternative that is also unscented/fragrance free & helps with static reduction but without all the funky chemicals.
Anyways, I used to have a co-worker who must have saturated her clothing with Downy Spring Forest Magic Mountain Sunny Mountain Airy Forest Orchid Blossom scent because she would make even the slightest of movements & the smell of Downy would be released in all it's over-scented pungent glory. I thought I would die working with her from Downy fumes. She eventually quit her job & the number of migraines & coughing spells by the staff decreased noticeably.