A simple DIY fabric softener recipe using hair conditioner, vinegar, and baking soda. Makes 30+ loads worth of homemade fabric softener.
I bet no one reading this would argue with me that doing laundry is their favorite activity.
But, one thing is for sure — doing laundry is a necessary task.
And to be honest, I would choose doing laundry over most of the other chores any day. Especially after I have gotten by laundry routine in place. Plus, there is just something about taking a nice, warm, load out of the dryer that I love. Seriously — I snuggle up in the freshly washed and dried laundry as I pull it out of the dryer. I love the warmth and the fresh and clean scent.
Did you know that you could make your own fabric softener at home using conditioner? The beauty of this is being able to choose any scent of conditioner that appeals to you. Fruity scents are my personal favorite but you can experiment and have fun with it. We picked up a cheap bottle with a fruity scent from the Dollar Tree — there is no need to spend a lot on the conditioner.
While your DIY fabric softener will take on the scent of the conditioner that you use, the scent actually left on the clothing after they have been washed is very light. If you want to make fabric softener with a stronger scent, you could try adding a few drops of essential oil to your conditioner as well.
I like to save money on doing laundry anyway that I can, and this homemade fabric softener recipe has proven to be very economical. The recipe makes enough for 30-40 loads, and costs next to nothing to make.
DIY Fabric Softener Ingredients
- 6 cups hot water (hot enough so that the conditioner will easily disperse when added)
- 3 cups distilled white vinegar
- 2 cup conditioner
- ½ cup baking soda
How to Make Homemade Fabric Softener
1. Pour hot water into a large mixing bowl.
2. Add vinegar.
3. Add conditioner and stir well to combine.
4. Slowly add baking soda a little bit at a time. (You do not want to add the baking soda too quickly because it will react with the vinegar and end up overflowing the bowl. By adding the baking soda a little at a time, you are able to control the reaction and keep it from overflowing.)
5. Let fabric softener rest for about 30 minutes (to allow the bubbles to go down) before pouring it into an airtight container for storage. (Bormioli Rocco glass jars are my fave.)
To Use: Add about 3 tbsps or a little under 1/4 cup of fabric softener per load. (A 1/4 cup scoop like this is helpful to use.)
Note: If the mixture begins to separate at all, simply shake the container to help it mix back up.
If you decided to make a batch of DIY Fabric Softener with Conditioner yourself, I would love to hear what scent of conditioner you decided to use — and how you liked it — in the comments below.
More Laundry Tips You Might Enjoy
- DIY Wool Dryer Balls
- Laundry routine tips and laundry schedule printable
- Laundry room organization ideas
What a great idea. I’d love to try it. Dryer sheets are expensive. Thanks for posting!
This is such a great idea. I like how it uses conditioner.
I use to make fabric softener all the time, but stopped for some reason. The old recipe I used didn’t call for baking soda, so I’ll have to try that.
I had no idea you could make this at home. Such a great way to save money.
Vo5? Who knew! I never even knew you could actually make this!!!
I don’t use dryer sheets because they soften my clothes so much as because they help get rid of static. So what does everyone do to combat static? The kids’ clothes get especially static-y if I don’t use dryer sheets, so what else can I do?
Dryer balls work like magic and are reusable
I surely will try this.
Are you saying to use hair conditioner?
Great Idea, thanks for sharing.
this is much needed information. I always had a problem washing my suits.
Thanks for the great,, simple recipe. Works well! However, I highly suggest changing the order of mixing the ingredients to do away with the rest time entirely. If you put the baking soda into a large bowl FIRST, then slowly mix in the vinegar, the bubbling effect only lasts a fraction of the time (took me maybe 2 minutes). Then, I put the hot water and conditioner in the jug I use for fabric softener, shook to mix, and poured in the baking soda-vinegar. The vinegar needed a quick stir since the baking soda had somewhat settled, but everything was combined and done in under 5 minutes.
So do you shake to mix again each time it’s used?
I only give it a shake or stir if it looks like it has separated — hope this helps!
I have been makeing the homemade washing liquid just started doingthe fabric softner. I use the kiwi cond, for my bath towels and cherry blossom my personals wear . Thank you. Your friend Melissa.
What is the reasoning for using baking soda?
I’ve seen other recipes with same ingredients except baking soda.
I left this comment 6 months ago & you never answered my question. Either you don’t know the answer
Or you don’t care. When you post something on Pinterest you should be ready to reply to the comments left &
Not be rude & ignore them. If you don’t know the answer is alright to say you don’t know, instead of leaving a
Person waiting for 6 months for you to answer. Thank you
I would have to say it is not only for making items spell clean, but also is a cleaning and agent that minds things together quicker…Vinegar is a natural disinfectant…
Sorry you did not get your reply sometimes the post goes through and other times I am sure the Blogger has been busy/ or an emergency in the family….I am sure she would of enjoyed replying and helping you out….
Do you have a laundry soap recipe
I don’t have on currently, but I made myself a note to add one soon 🙂
I asked a question on 6/12/19 @ 7:30 am, about the reasoning for the baking soda. I received no reply. I see you answered other people’s questions but not mine. Is it that you don’t know the answer?
Sorry about missing your question the first time and thank you for coming back to ask again! The baking soda works to help soften the clothing.
Thank you., I’m sorry. I left another comment before I scrolled down & saw you left an answer in Sept.
I thought you were ignoring my opponents. So disregard that other post. Thank you so much.
I had a dryer repairman tell me that my fabric sheets would clog my dryer screen permanently! So I have had very stiff towels, etc! Would this have the same effect?
To be entirely honest I am not sure–you could try using wool dryer balls like these in the dryer instead. You can even make your own DIY dryer balls.