Homemade Fabric Softener & Dryer Sheets

A couple days ago, I posted my Homemade Laundry Detergent and I feel it's only fitting to follow up with Fabric Softener & Reusable Dryer Sheets to complete your homemade laundry experience! (Exciting note- you only need two extra items for the dryer sheets!)

This is a rather simple recipe until it comes down to adding scents. Truthfully, I'm still looking for the perfect blend of essential oils to mask the vinegar smell AND be appealing to me... So trial & error may be your friend!


Fabric Softener-

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

🔅 White Vinegar (Tip- buy a gallon jug. Vinegar is useful is so many ways!)

🔅 16 oz. Hair Conditioner (Cheap fragrance-free or an appealing fragrance will do to save money, or if you want to go organic, this is a fave of mine but it's $8- not as cheap as VO5 or Suave, but all natural/vegan-  and only lasts for one full sized batch)
🔅 6 c. Water
🔅 Mixing spoon (Not a whisk!)
🔅 CLEAN Jug to hold your fabric softener (recycle old fabric softener jugs or a milk jug, etc. to save money)
🔅 Bowl for mixing & funnel (you can make one out of aluminum foil)
🔅 Essential Oils (if desired)


LETS GET STARTED!

1. Mix 3 c. vinegar, 2 c. conditioner, and 6 c. water in your mixing bowl. STIR until blended! Do not whisk or put straight into the jug and shake. Doing this will cause it to foam excessively and that's not something you want!

2. If the conditioner you've selected does not mask the vinegar smell to your liking, now is the time to add 20-30 drops of essential oils. If you used fragrance-free conditioner, making your scent will be easier, if you have scented conditioner, use oils that compliment and enhance the fragrance you already have. You can get essential oils right here on Amazon. Eucalyptus & Peppermint mask pretty well and I enjoy the smell. However the brand I linked has many blends that are VERY relaxing.
3. Stir the mixture again to mix in the oils thoroughly.
4. Use your funnel or makeshift foil funnel to slowly pour your fabric softener into your jug or container (make sure it has a lid!)
*VERY IMPORTANT* LABLE your container so no one gets confused as to what it is!

Congratulations! You've just made your own Fabric Softener! Use 1/4 c. during the rinse cycle (if you don't have an automatic dispenser and your laundry will be nice and soft!

DRYER SHEETS-

As easy as the fabric softener was, the dryer sheets are even easier!

YOU WILL NEED:

🔅 Your Fabric Softener

🔅 A lidded container (possibly 2)

🔅 Pack of bar mop towels (cheap at Walmart)

🔅 Scissors (Sorry, 3 items, not 2)

YOU MAY ALSO CHOOSE TO ADD:

🔅 Vinegar

🔅 The essential oil(s) you used in your Fabric Softener

GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!

1. Cut your bar mop towels into squares. 4x4 at least... You could even be a rebel and cut rectangles! Just don't make them bigger than 6x6 or so or it'll just be too much.

2. Put 4-6 of your squares into the lidded container & pour your Fabric Softener over it, enough to submerse them. 

That's it! Your done! Throw one "sheet" into your dryer with your laundry and you're set! Replace the dry sheet to its container after the cycle is complete.

Except- every once and awhile the vinegar in the fabric softener isn't enough for the load... For me it's when I try to do too much laundry at once. This is where the optional vinegar mix comes in.

1. Take 2-3 c. of vinegar and stir in your essential oils 10-20 drops should do it.

2. Pour into your second container over 2-3 bar mop squares.

Use these in large loads or loads that tend to have more static, like towels, along with one of your dryer sheets. Yes, they look identical. No, it does not matter which container you return it to.

Now you're all set to save money and make your laundry process all-natural! Happy washing!

-xoxo Sorority Housewife

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

Making my own laundry detergent saves SO much money! I make 5 gallons at a time and store the excess in a pail ($2-3 at Walmart or a hardware store if you can't find a bakery to give you one of their extras.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

1- 5 gallon pail with lid

1 gallon jug of some sort for storage/use... Refill as needed

1 Cheese Grater

1 Pot to melt the soap shavings

1 Bar Laundry Soap (I use Zote, found in the detergent aisle)

1 c. Washing Soda (Arm & Hammer, also w/ the detergent)

1 c. Borax (20 Mule team, you guessed it, detergent aisle)

4.5-5 Gallons water

Essential oils (optional)

MAKING YOUR DETERGENT

1. Start out by grating your Laundry Soap. It's VERY easy, so not a lot of elbow grease required.

2. Melt these shavings in 2 quarts (8 cups) of water over medium high heat, stirring constantly. This takes a bit of patience so don't get frustrated!

3. Fill the 5 gallon pail with hot water from the tub (4-4.5 gallons... I always eyeball it and use a little less than 4.5 gal just in case)

4. Mix your borax and washing soda into the bucket of water until dissolved.

5. Add soap water to the jug and stir until completely mixed.

6. Put the lid on the bucket and let sit overnight. In the morning, shake the jug as one final mixing effort and add your essential oils (30-60 drops depending on the oils and how strong you want it to smell!)

See? SUPER simple! 

Use 1/4-1/2 c. per load of laundry (depending on load size)

Enjoy!

-xoxo Sorority Housewife

PS- will update with pictures!

Up next- Homemade Fabric Softener & Dryer Sheets!