Homemade bread
Homemade jam
Homemade crafts
Sleeping under homemade blankets on homemade pillowcases...
I love homemade because it's frugal but even more so because I or someone I love created it!
My love of homemade has grown to include cleaning products, laundry detergent and so on.
I finally was able to take the time last week to create something new-
Homemade Fabric Softener.
I am very pleased with how it turned out and am ready to share the recipe:
6 cups hot water
3 cups white vinegar
2 cups Suave Conditioner {your favorite scent}
Wash out an empty fabric softener bottle or other large container. Pour hot water into container, add Suave conditioner. Place cap on and shake vigorously until conditioner has dissolved completely. Add vinegar, mix well.
Store in your container and add to wash as you would any old fabric softener.
Enjoy!
Of Note: This averages out to less than 3 cents for every ¼ cup of softener you add to your wash! It cost a grand total of $1.26 to make this softener and it smells wonderful! Yippee!
Pin It
Update: I've seen some questions about my recipe on Pinterest... about use in HE washers: I have a front loading HE washer and have been using this recipe for almost a year without any issues. I do run a straight vinegar wash at least once a month. I also clean the tray (where you pour your detergent/fabric softener in) regularly to prevent build up. For more Q & A on this recipe- see the post listed below.
I live in Australia - what is Suave conditioner? Is it a hair conditioner or a fabric softener? I can't read the label properly in the pic.
ReplyDeleteLilian- Is a hair conditioner. You could substitute a hair conditioner. Suave happens to be a wonderfully cheap conditioner in my area- around $1. Let me know how yours turns out. I love using mine!
ReplyDeleteDoes this stay mixed or does it need to be shaken before every use?
ReplyDeleteI made some this weekend and I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed in it because my laundry doesn't smell at all like the fabric softener. They feel nice, but there is no smell. Any suggestions? I used an Herbal Essence conditioner for the smell and am dissapointed.
ReplyDeleteI used some cheap VO5 conditioner that I got almost free from couponing. It smells great. But I used 1 part vinegar, 1 part conditioner, 2 parts water.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing! I can't wait to try it!! I found your post through Pinterest! :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
Is it safe for HE Frontload washers?
ReplyDeleteYes it's safe for HE frontloaders. I use Suave conditioner and I have a wonderful faint hint of the smell of the conditioner. It's not a strong smell. You can add a couple drops of essential oil too to achieve a stronger smell. When I first made it- it did separate but I have found that using boiling hot water makes it mix better. I don't shake it before I pour because it gets bubbles. Since using boiling water I haven't had any separating problems.
ReplyDeleteI love this Idea! I am going to make it tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI previous found this recipe on pinterest too. And while looking at your stinky towel cure I saw you had a recipe as well for the fabric softner. I wanted to see if you made it the same. And you do. I agree with ranchwife, I was expecting a more heavier scent from it. But like you said it works really good, I think I am going to take your advise with the oil to boost the smell. First I might mix some febreeze with it, since I am one of those get high febreeze commerical people..lol I will have to let you know how it works.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, please let me know how it works out for you!
DeletePinned your post on pinterest and I was waiting to use up the last two bottles of gain and another brand of softener I had so I could try this. Being that brand names are so expensive I thought what the heck. I used the same suave conditioner you show in the picture. I put six cups of hot tap water in a big stew pan added 2 cups of suave and whisked away, it mixed very well. Then I added the 3 cups of vinegar. It smelled too vinegary for me so I added the rest of the suave and it smelled much better. It made 2 reg size bottles. I am waiting to put in my next load to use your concoction. If it works great and smells good I'll be doing it again. Thanks it was so easy to do!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pin! I hope you find you very much enjoy this homemade recipe. It may smell vinegary in the bottle but it won't smell like that on your clothes. Even when I use straight vinegar in my wash I don't smell it when I pull it out.
DeleteGod Bless!
Hi
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the great tips and recipes. Just a note: There is a spelling mistake in your Homemade Fabric Softener Recipe: Pour got water into container, add Suave conditioner.
Thanks Ruth
Oops! hee hee. Ruth thank you so much for pointing that out. I appreciate it. I've looked that this post so many times- I just never saw it! Glad you enjoy the recipes/tips- thank you so much for commenting too!
DeleteIs it safe on HE top loaders?
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe it is. I've been using it on my HE front loader for almost two years without any problems. *smiles*
DeleteIT WORKS GREAT! THANK YOU!!!!
ReplyDeleteYay! So happy for you! Thanks for popping in and commenting!
DeleteThank you! Vinegar = .02 Softener = .88 So for $1, I got more than enough to refill my softener container. I used "juicy green apple" b/c it was a mis-match in the cupboard. Smells awesome.
ReplyDeleteYay Lisa! You are so very welcome.
DeleteThanks for popping in to leave a comment! I am so glad you like it. I've wondered about trying the Green Apple and haven't done it yet- but now I think I just might!
Hi! I have a question. I'm not a native speaker so I just want to make sure. Is white distilled vinegar the same regular vinegar you put in your salads when you season it?
ReplyDeleteYes- they are the same.
Delete