Industrial fabric softeners are full of chemicals, preservatives and synthetic fragrances. Although they add softness to your laundry, they often cause skin allergies. Best of all, you should use homemade fabric softeners. So, what natural fabric softener recipes can you make at home?
What is a fabric softener and why is it useful?
It’s also called a fabric softener. It’s a detergent added to laundry in the washing machine. It prevents your clothes from becoming too hard or rough, and gives them a pleasant smell. In other words, it makes your clothes feel softer and smell so good.
Industrial products to avoid
Industrial fabric softeners should not be used on baby clothes. This type of product can cause respiratory problems or skin irritation in sensitive people. Unfortunately, they are not only harmful to your health, but also to the environment. Most chemical compositions threaten nature by polluting it. If you use them on your washing machine, you run the risk of damaging it and creating a thick film on the walls of the machine’s pipes. Over time, this film fills with dirt and mildew, resulting in poorly washed clothes.
How do I make homemade fabric softener?
The recipes for homemade fabric softener are very simple, and most of the ingredients are readily available at home. Here are a few recipes we’ve selected for you:
First recipe
Take a glass bottle and pour 50 cl mineral water with 10 drops of any essential oil or aromatic herbs (rosemary, lavender or thyme) and 25 cl white vinegar. Then mix vigorously. It’s easy to use: just pour a capful of the mixture into the rinse tray. Your laundry will smell of the essential oil you’ve added.
Second recipe
This is a recipe based on an ingredient you already know: Aloe Vera, an ingredient with beneficial properties for hair and skin, but also for your laundry.
You’ll need a liter of water with a tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel. Then, in a large basin, mix the two ingredients. Then soak your laundry thoroughly for two hours. Your clothes will become very soft and silky.
Third recipe
This is a very special recipe. It’s based on naturally scented crystals. Here are the detailed ingredients to prepare this fabric softener:
- approx. 250 grams coarse salt or Epsom salt,
- 65 grams baking soda,
- about 10 drops of essential oil of lemon, sweet orange, lavender, etc.
Preparation is simple, and can be done in just a few minutes. First, pour the salt into a glass bowl or jar (preferably one with a lid) and add the drops of essential oil. Stir well with a wooden spoon so that the salt absorbs all the essential oil. Close the jar and shake well.
In the second part, add the baking soda until the mixture is smooth. Close the jar again and shake vigorously.
Use the softener crystals in your washing machine, pouring in around two tablespoons of the mixture. It’ s important to use the correct dosage to preserve your clothes and your machine. The best thing about this softener is that it can be stored in its own jar for several months.
In conclusion, natural homemade fabric softeners are great for you and your laundry. What’s more, it’s much more economical.
