Homemade Fabric Softener

I thought I would share my economical (and fun) recipe for fabric softener since my last post was on laundry detergent.  But first for the science of it!

Why do we use fabric softener at all?  Well there are several reasons, like the perfume smell is nice, the reduction of static cling, less wrinkles and of course the softness.  Fabric softener's history began with the need to condition the rough newly dyed fabric rolls.  The first formulas were made from water, soap, and oils like tallow.  Tallow is animal fat. It is harvested mostly from cows around their organs.  The industry has grown into the billions and yes, they still use a form of chemically enhanced tallow as well as a bunch of other chemicals that probably aren't so great for you to put right on your skin, but that is a different kind of blog!  This blog is meant to share easy, economical, and cleaner ways of taking care of you and your family.  So, here it is....the recipe for Homemade fabric Softener:

HOMEMADE Fabric Softener:

4 cups White Vinegar
1 cup Baking Soda
6 cups warm water
essential oil

First, add the baking soda to the warm water.  Then slowly add the vinegar to the water mixing slowly.  It will foam up each time your pour in the vinegar!(making it a favorite chore for any little ones in the house :)   Add in any essential oils you like or you can leave it plain.  I have used mandarin orange or lavender in mine.  For the container, I use a plastic canister like from animal crackers or jelly beans.


Fabric Softener OPTION #2:

On the ZOTE website it lists fabric softening to it's uses.  You can take a corner and tie it into a sock and throw it into your dryer.  I have tried it and didn't notice a huge difference and eventually we lost the sock, but it is another option :)

NOTE: I have included links on some of the items (words in blue) so you can see what I am talking about or find some difficult items, but everything you need can be purchased at the local Discount/Grocery store or local Health Food Store.

Next up will be.....how to make Homemade Baby Wipes!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Well, here it is, my favorite recipe!  I haven't bought Laundry Detergent in over 2 years and we have tried several different versions.  The first one is my ALL TIME favorite.  I have a very large family and we have normal wear and tear on our clothes.  All 3 laundry soap recipes are mild for those of us with allergies and still work hard enough to keep us clean.   We have a septic system and the homemade detergents listed here are septic safe.  I have researched the detergent needs for those of you with front loaders, and these are exactly what you need, a low sudzing detergent.  So get out your grater and get ready for some good clean fun!

Recipe #1 POWder Laundry Soap:

1 box Borax- 4 lbs. 12 oz. (sodium tetraborate)

1 large box- 4 lbs. Arm and Hammer Baking Soda  (sodium bicarbonate)

1 container Oxygen Cleaner-3.5 lbs. like "Oxiclean" or "Sun" (sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate)

2 bars natural Soap (like Ivory, or 1/3 bar of Zote, or 1/3 bar of Fels Naptha)

Grate the soap with a grater. 

Spread the soap out to dry.

(I let mine dry on a cookie sheet) Then you put the soap through your food processor.  Mix all  4 ingredients into a five gallon bucket.  I use the scoop from the Oxiclean container to measure with.  Use 1-2 scoops per load depending on size and stains.

That's it!!!  It works great, is super effective and saves some serious dough!  The ingredients I purchased above cost around $7.50 and it will wash around 75 loads of clothes.  I make it in double batches about every 2 months and we are a family of nine.

#2 RECIPE for Powdered Laundry Detergent:

2 cups Baking Soda
2 cups Borax
1/2 cup liquid castile soap
2 cups white Vinegar
(This was a fun recipe the kids loved to help with.  When you mix the ingredients you get the "volcano" bubbling effect so be sure to add them in small batches in your bucket)!

Mix together the Baking Soda and Borax.  Then, add the liquid castile soap.  Slowly add the vinegar until it is all mixed in.  This makes a thick paste at first and dries into hard rock-like pieces. Keep stirring and mix completely.  After the mixture dries break up any lumps, it is pretty easy.  I used 1/4 cup per full load and it works great.

*we made this one just a few times for fun and then went back to Recipe #1, because it was easier and less messy.


RECIPE #3 Liquid Laundry Soap:

1/3-1/2 Bar of Zote or Fels Naptha (grated)
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup Oxiclean or "Sun" oxygen cleaner
2 gallons of water
Bucket

Grate your soap.  Pour 1/2 gallon of water into a large pot and bring to a boil.  Add the soap and stir until melted.  Meanwhile pour the other 1 and 1/2 gallons of water into your bucket.  Add the melted soap and water to the bucket and then stir in the Borax and Oxyclean, mixing well.    Let it set for 24 hours.  It will turn into a pink gel.  (The kids loved to squish it through their fingers the next day!)  Use 1/2 cup per load.  It is very cost effective, about $.02 per load, but it is very time consuming and messy.

***There are many MANY more recipes out there.  Search for "homemade laundry soap", "how to make laundry detergent", etc.  Experiment and have fun!  You can't lose when you know what is in your household products! 

Do you have a recipe to share or a question to ask?  Click on comment below....

*The above ingredients can all be bought locally.  I have added an Amazon link to them if you have trouble finding something or just want to see what I am talking about (the words highlighted in blue).  Of course Walmart, your local Grocery Store, or Discount Store, like Big Lots will save you money.

Next up will be.....how to make your own Fabric Softener!  Don't miss it!