This is the very best homemade fabric softener recipe ever. Easy to make with 3 ingredients, you’ll have a batch made in just 5 minutes. Use this right alongside my homemade laundry detergent recipe and you’ll be money too.
Once upon a time, I set out to find the best homemade liquid fabric softener that could be found in the great vast land called the internet. And whadayaknow, I found there really aren’t that many variations. 2, in fact.
Sure there were some slight variations in the amounts of ingredients, but most recipes gravitated toward 1 of 2 main recipes.
So, I decided that instead of reinventing the wheel, it would be smarter to test each recipe out to see if either of them really worked, if they were cost effective, and how they compare to the other. Welcome to your local elementary school science fair.
Without further adieu, let’s meet the contestants.
Recipe #1: Vinegar & Baking Soda as Fabric Softener
Ingredients
- 6 cups vinegar
- 1 cup baking soda
- 15 drops essential oil (optional) — here is my favorite brand
Directions
Pour the vinegar into a large bowl. Add your essential oil, if using. I chose to use lavender since that seemed like a nice smelling fabric scent to me. Add your baking soda. When fizz has settled, pour into storage container of choice. Use up to 1 cup (depending on load size) per load. I poured mine right into the regular fabric softener location.
Cost
Vinegar: $0.66 (I buy my vinegar from Costco for cheap!)
Baking Soda: $0.50
Essential Oil: $1.01 (optional, and price will vary depending on oil and quality used)
Total Cost: $2.17
Without the essential oil, this recipe would be much cheaper. I got about 8 loads out of this recipe because I typically run larger loads and used closer to a cup per load. That’s $0.27 per load when using the essential oil.
How did it work?
On a softness scale of 1-10, 1 being super stiff and 10 being the stuff that dreams are made of, I gave this recipe a 7. Softened well enough, but not as much as a typical store bought softener. I doubt my family noticed a difference. The lavender scent was very, very faint. Faint enough, that I don’t think it’s worth adding. If you’re wanting a strong scent, this isn’t the recipe for you. If that isn’t an issue, just use the vinegar and baking soda and you’ll be great!
Do You Have to Use Essential Oils in this Recipe?
The essential oils provide fragrance, but are totally optional. If you don’t already have them on hand, you can leave them out and save money. Your clothes will still be super-soft.
NOTE: Prior to adding the baking soda, the oil might sit on top of the vinegar. After pouring in the baking soda and letting it dissolve, the oil no longer sits at the top. Voila!
Also, I’ve had no issues with getting any essential oil spots on my clothes.
Recipe #2: Hair Conditioner for Making Fabric Softener
Ingredients:
- 5 cups hot water
- 3 cups vinegar
- 1 cup hair conditioner
Directions:
Mix hot water and conditioner together in medium bowl. (The hot water helps smooth any clumps from the conditioner). Mix in vinegar and pour in container of choice. Use the same amount as you would a store bought softener and add to the regular softener spot in your washer or during the rinse cycle. Note: I used a regular cheapo conditioner from the dollar store. The higher quality conditioners won’t make any noticeable differences, so don’t waste your money!
Cost
Water: Free
Vinegar: $0.33
Conditioner: $0.71 (I bought a large size from Family Dollar for $2)
Total Cost: $1.04
This provides anywhere from 30-40 loads worth, depending on load size. That works out to be $0.03-$0.05 per load. SUPER CHEAP.
This recipe would also work great with any organic conditioner as well. If you use organic, make sure you price compare to a similar type softener like 7th Generation. The price will definitely be more than our regular recipe, but will still be much cheaper than buying regular organic softener.
How did it work?
On the softness scale from 1-10, 1 being super stiff and 10 being the stuff that dreams are made of, I give this recipe a solid 8. Very close to what a regular fabric softener does. When it comes to smell, the scent was light but still there. It’s definitely not overpowering, but when you take a big whiff it’s definitely there. This may also vary depending on your conditioner. Maybe other scents will come through stronger/softer?
What Kind of Conditioner Should I Use?
I used a low-priced conditioner from the dollar store. The higher quality conditioners won’t make any noticeable difference, so don’t waste your money!
Some of my favorite conditioners in terms of fragrance are Clairol Herbal Essence, Dove, Wella Balsam, and Breck.
How To Make Your Clothes Smell Like Downy?
If you can’t bear to part ways with the scent of Downy, you could add some of this Downy copycat fragrance oil (Amazon.com) to your homemade fabric softener. I haven’t tried it myself yet, because that just costs more money, haha! But I would love to hear your experiences if you try it out (share in the comments section below).
Conclusion for which Homemade Fabric Softener works Best
Overall, I preferred the conditioner based recipe. It was much cheaper per use and worked better than the straight vinegar and baking soda. Clothes were softer and I like having a gentle scent to my clothes as well.
Below you’ll find the full printable version of this conditioner version since it was the best of 2 fabric softner recipes.
How Much Homemade Fabric Softener Should I Use?
Use up to 1 cup (depending on load size) per load. I pour mine right into the regular fabric softener location in the washing machine and it works perfectly!
Use a Sponge to Make a Dryer Sheet
Yep… this will make your fabric softener recipe go even further! All you need to do is take a clean sponge, dip it into the make it yourself fabric softener, wring it out very well and toss it into the dryer with your clothes. Then repeat.
Homemade Fabric Softener
Instructions
- In a medium bowl add very hot water and the conditioner. (Water doesn't need to be boiling, but hot enough that it helps smooth any clumps from the conditioner).
- Whisk together until smooth and clump free.
- Add in vinegar and whisk to combine.
- Pour into containers of choice such as wide mouth quart mason jars. Store in air tight container at room temperature for up to 5 months.
- Use the same amount as you would a store bought softener and add to the regular softener spot in your washer or during the rinse cycle. Usually for me this is around 1/2 cup to 1 cup softener per load.
Notes
- No need to spend extra money on expensive conditioner for this recipe, cheap vs quality conditioners had no noticeable differences. Dollar store conditioner works fine.
- Some of my favorite conditioners in terms of fragrance are Clairol Herbal Essence, Dove, Wella Balsam, and Breck.
- Use this recipe as a DIY dryer sheet by dipping a sponge in the solution, wringing it out very very well and tossing it into your dryer cycle.
- If you don’t have conditioner you can make the other style of homemade fabric softener I shared in the blog post by mixing together 6 cups vinegar, 1 cup baking soda and optionally 15 drops of essential oil. Whisk together and add to machines. Doesn’t produce as soft as results but it’s better than nothing.
This recipe was first posted March 2014, but has been updated with new photos and better detailed instructions & tips on 12/8/20.
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Joao Pinto says
I prefer commercial softener (instead of hot water) with vinegar, hair conditioner and an equal essence of commercial softener (bought at the supermarket)
I think it works very well
(from Portugal)
Dawn Conley says
Was just wondering if I could use just water and conditioner? I am out of vinegar at the moment and can’t get to the store till my husband gets home from work. I wanted to try it on the laundry I have to do today.
Happy.MoneySaver says
You might as well try it out today and see what you think. I do really like the vinegar because I feel like it softens the clothes so well!
Dawn Conley says
Yea, I plan on getting some vinegar, I’m just out at the moment. But I will try, thanks
Dave says
I have to wonder about putting baking soda and white vinegar, together, in a bottle. I use that combination for cleaning out my sink traps, and it is pretty explosive. Maybe we need a chemist to comment on this.
Happy.MoneySaver says
It is quite fizzy at first when it is in the bowl and then it goes does down which is when you put it in the container!
Jean says
I put my fabric softener, back in the empty containers of conditioner. I find it easier to handle these smaller bottles, as I go to the laundromat and the smaller bottles are easier to carry.
Mike says
Where did you get the container shown in the pictures that you keep your fabric softener in?
Happy.MoneySaver says
This was a container I found at a thrift store. Isn’t it great? 🙂
Charlotte says
I’ve also seen those bottles at Target.
Jeanna says
You could also reuse old coffee creamer bottles. I use those bottles for other stuff to, like road trip snacks for the kids and organizing small crafts and kids toys like Legos.
Maria Del Carmen Garcia says
I was actually cleaning out old shampoo’s and hair conditioner products that have been left by house guest etc. and I just happened to run out of my cheapo softener I usually purchase from the local Dollar Store.
I had vinegar & baking soda and thought I could somehow find a recipe where I could use those ingredients and when I found yours I was thrilled!!!! I immediately made a batch with the left over hair conditioner and it worked like a charm!!! I love it… 😉
Debbie Thurmond says
I have been using the hair conditioner recipe for a long time now and absolutely love it. Will never buy fabric softener again!
Gini Dryden says
I tried the mixture of Vinegar, Baking Soda and Purex Scent Crystals. While the clothes came out nice and soft and static-free, there was absolutely NO scent to be found. The clothes just smelled ‘clean’, but no trace of the Purex scent to be found. I believe the baking soda must neutralize ANY scent, thereby making your clothes odor-free (which is a good thing, I guess), so adding the scent crystals was moot.
Sarah says
I use the conditioner recipe for the homemade fabric softener and I love it! I’m not to crazy about the strong smell of vinegar which is why I opted to use the conditioner recipe. I love the soft sent of my conditioner on my cloths. This is most deffinately my favorite fabric softener recipe.
Hayat says
Hi all,
i was just wondering can you use other type of vinegar instead of white distilled?I live in Bulgaria and we don’t have this type of vinegar.Usually for cleaning purposes I use apple cider vinegar .Is it okay to use this one also?
Mavis hintermeister says
My recipe calls for Apple Cider Vinegar and I am very
happy with how clean the clothes smell.
Sara says
Living in the country our water is very hard and with my HE machine I noticed a smell most of the time coming from our drum. I started adding vinegar to my washer via the fabric softener area. At first we would have to re-wash the load. I am assuming that the vinegar cleaned the drum. And the smell of the drum is now gone. I think I just killed two birds with one stone. Yea. Thanks for your posts.
Roger says
Hello everyone, I make my own laundry detergent which works well;however, has no smell. I tried Purex Laundry Crystals which worked good. I then started searching for a way to make my own and found a wonderful homemade version. I altered the recipe and found that my clothes are so much softer and this version cheap. 1 cup of Epson’s Salt, 2 TBS of Baking Soda and 20 drops of essential oils (you can mix whatever scents you want) I use 10 drops each of Lavender and Lilac. Laundry Detergent is 4 cups of boiling water and 12 cups of cold water, 3 TBS of Borax, TBS of Washing Soda, 2 scoops of Generic Oxiclean (Dollar Tree) pour in Boiling water stir until dissolved add 2 TBS of Dawn Blue dish washing liquid stir and then add the 12 cups of cold water let sit until room temperature. Pour into empty laundry soap containers and use 1/2 cup (the cap from the old container) cost approximately $0.03 a load. I started adding 2 TBS of my homemade Laundry Crystals and I won’t wash a load without them. Add the 2 TBS of Laundry Crystals with the laundry detergent and let the tank completely fill before adding the clothes cost $0.08 per load I checked the price of Tide Liquid and it costs $0.18 a load more than 50% savings.
Alison says
Wow! Thank you so much for posting this Roger! Sounds great and I can’t wait to try 🙂 I do have one question though. How come you wait until the drum fills before adding the clothes?
And thank you dear Karrie for testing out those recipes! I always wanted to try the homemade fabric softener but wasn’t sure which one to use. Like you, every time I looked into it I kept getting only those same 2 recipes no matter what natural blog I was reading. My one wish though is to discover a natural liquid recipe that uses something more natural to add to the vinegar in place of conditioner…..
Ellen says
I’m interest also about a more natural liquid fabric softener recipe as well instead of the store brought conditioner. If we’re going let’s go all the way, right 🙂 !
Has anyone made the Homwmade liquid fabric softener recipe using a Homemade Conditioner recipe and if so do you mind posting it?
Annie R says
OMG we’ve had a terrible smell in our laundry for the last few months – we thought an animal had crawled into the wall, but it can’t be as the smell is still there – going to do a smell test, run an empty load with vinegar and check this out – I bet you’ve just helped me crack that terrible smell!
<3 <3
Amber says
If you have a front loading washer, i smells because there’s soap residue and mildew on the outside of the washer drum that you can’t see. So you have a run a cleaning load every once in a while. I have a clean washer cycle on my washer and I use bleach to kill of the mild and mildew lurking back there since you can’take get to it. Vinegar probably should work too. Also make sure you leave the washer door wide open if you can after your doing laundry will help dry the drum out and keep down on the mildew and smell. Hth.
Elise Chapman says
Made and tried your fabric softener with hair conditioner–and while it still smells too much like vinegar when I put it in the machine it doesn’t transfer onto the clothes! The realllllly cool thing(s)–I noticed that after 3-4 loads using this my hg washer doesn’t have residual water hanging out in the bleach, fabric softener and liquid detergent receptacles! I’ve been fight that since I got the machine. It was also really fun taking my 9 year old to “smell” what our laundry would smell like when looking for conditioner. Thanks for the tips! We’ll keep trying it!
Rocquelle Gunter says
I loved reading the questions and answers above — thanks Kari and everyone else!
My question is regarding the build-up on dryer screen. I haven’t used fabric softeners or sheets for years because of the fire danger. (If you’re unaware of this, take the lint screen from your dryer and run it under water. If it holds the water, the screen has become clogged and can be very dangerous. http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/d/dryer-sheets.htm#.UzCY2oWwUlQ)
What I’ve done for some time now is just pour a little vinegar and baking soda to each load, adding more to our “towels and bedclothes” loads. Not only have I noticed softness, but my 20+ year-old washing machine is sparkling clean inside! 😉
Robynne Catheron says
Thank you for the idea of adding baking soda! I’m trying really hard to eliminate the use of chemicals in our daily lives, so although it sounds nice, I won’t go the hair conditioner route. I’ve been using both types of homemade laundry detergent (the clear one with just water, borax, and washing soda, and the creamy one with Fels Naptha added) and like them equally. I just use a half cup of straight vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser, and I really appreciate how clean the clothes smell coming out of the washer, even if I forget about them for several days! In the dryer, I tried using tennis or smooshed-up foil balls but they’re too noisy. Then I heard about felted wool balls, and I’m hooked. They’re quiet, and do a bang up job of keeping the clothes from twisting around each other. I put a couple drops of lavender eo on one of the balls for sheets and towels, and they come out just lightly scented. For static like polar fleece, just lightly dampen your hands and fluff up the clothes before pulling them out of the dryer. We also have just a wood stove for heat, but we haven’t had any problem with static even here in the cold and dry northeast.
I had no idea about the baking soda, I’m definitely going to add it to the vinegar now! The felted wool balls are pricey (even though they last forever), and so are the higher-quality essential oils. I’m all for saving money, so thank you!
Robin says
Ever heard of castille soap? Makes a wonderful sensitive smell free laundry detergent. Also can make very good dog shampoo with it and liquid soap…Love it, except it is hard to melt.
Nenke says
It isn’t hard to melt if you grate it.
cjmaxx says
It’s even less hard to melt if you open the package it comes in and let it dry for a few days to weeks before you grate it… makes grating tons easier, too…
Pam says
I just bought a bar but haven’t used it yet so reading this post is timely. I’m going to dry it out starting tonight!
Munci says
No need to melt the soap if you buy liquid Castile soap. You can even get it already scented with essential oil. Lavender is my favorite. There’s also one for sensitive skin.
Amber G. says
Can this be used in an HE washer?
Erin says
Hi Karrie,
I’ve been using the whipped laundry sauce recipe as our family’s laundry detergent. The fels naptha makes it smell great and the washing soda does add softness. My question is if fabric softener is even needed when used with the homemade stuff?
Thanks!
Happy.MoneySaver says
The homemade detergent has softeners already in it but depending on what you are washing, you may want that extra boost of softness and great smell!
Sarah says
I also use the laundry sauce. We don’t have a dryer and have to line dry our clothes. I have tried the vinegar and it does not work that good on jeans. I am trying the conditioner recipe. I hope it does a good job and does not trigger my husbands allergies.
Lexi says
I use the homemade soap and I also don’t have a dryer. I live in Missouri where it’s hot and humid. The conditioner recipe works fairly decent for line drying.
Machine dryer is still better, but I don’t like machines because they wear out clothes faster. I bought a new pack of socks (Haynes) and after two uses there were HOLES in them!!! Found out it was from the machine dryer. No holes since I started drying them on the line AND using fabric softener.
Never bought fabric softener in my life. My aunt bought some though, raving about the effects of it. But I’m cheap and didn’t want to buy the over priced stuff. I saw a recipe for some last year so I had to try it. I love it! I also use this to make homemade fabreze, it works wonders! Took out the smell of my dog’s urine from an accident on the carpet!
Bonnie says
Lexi
What is the recipe? Plz!!
chavonne schmidt says
I have been using the conditioner style softener for months. I love it. It is inexpensive and I don’t like a lot of scent. I honestly can’t tell the difference between that and the Bounce Bar I use to use. Except of course the cost!!! Glad you compared the two and found this one the best!
Nancy L Richie says
Are the homemade softeners safe for garments that say no fabric softener. Athletic wear.
Heather says
I’ve been using the conditioner version for months now and we have a lot if athletic wear- no issues whatsoever!
Sharon M says
How did both of these homemade fabric softeners score with regards to controlling static cling? We have a wood stove in the house, so am always short on moisture in the air and static cling is my biggest reason for using fabric softener.
Karrie says
The vinegar didn’t control static at all, and the conditioner based one, on a scale from 1-10 was at about a 7. Not quite as good as regular, but definitely made a difference.
Gina says
I saw to control the static you can use what ever cheap conditioner (like above for the fabric softener) use 3 cups conditioner, 6 cups water, slow boil. Let cool, place in air tight flat container. Buy cheap sponges and cut them width wise. Toss in container. When load comes out of wash, toss in one chunk of Sponge into load. Dry as normal. When you take the load out, toss Sponge back into container. I haven’t tried this yet…. but plan to very soon 🙂
Happy.MoneySaver says
I actually have a post similar to that recipe here https://happymoneysaver.com/thrifty-tip-make-unlimited-dryer-sheets/! I love it and it lasts forever!
Sharon says
I tried this one posted by Gina that is supposed to control the static It left stains and there was no noticeable reduction in static. Also, it was really messy to use. If like me, you work and commute skip this one. I find that fabric “softeners” work well enough. If you have a wood stove (as does my famil) try getting a wood stove trivet and steamer. They are a set of heavy duty metal trivet (no cushioned feet) with an ornamental heavy duty metal pot you fill with water (and or spices/essential oils of your choice) and set on stove. It will gently add some moisture back in the air and if you use spice, essential oil, or even citrus peel will had a nice spark to the air.
MaryLou says
I have tried the baking soda vinegar addition to my front loader H.E. washer. I get stains that look like bleach was dumped on the clothes. Anybody else have this happen? So, I’ve been looking for an alternative. I’m going to give the conditioner, hot water and vinegar a try.Keeping my fingers crossed! Anyone else had this problem?
meg says
It’s voila, not “whalah”. It’s a french word.
Dana says
Shut up!
Danielle says
Or you could too?
Aimee says
Yay! Someone with culture (and a dictionary)! Thank you, Meg. 🙂
Carla Eskelsen says
Amen! We need more Megs, and we can just ignore the Danas – long live culture and legacy!
#LLAP
Danni says
But but, we’re in Murica! Where safety pins don’t hold majority just yet…. lol
Peggy says
Regarding the wood-stove and dry air, you can also a cinnamon stick or two to the pan of water; I’ve also tried orange peels too. It gives a nice, subtle scent.
Mary says
You didn’t mention how much softener to use per load of the second recipe. Is it the same as the first one, a cup? Then I’m not sure I’m understanding how it can do so many loads and come out cheaper.
veridicalangel says
I just put in my downy ball
Nancy L Richie says
How much is in a Downy ball
JuLee says
I would say a Downy ball holds about 1/3 cup.
DJ says
Depends on where you get it. Walmart has them for under $4 and Amazon has them from $4-$9.
Elizabeth says
So just curious… Which homemade fabric softener do you prefer using and which one is cheaper – the crystals (you have a recipe on your site) or the liquid?
Karrie says
That’s a tough one. I think I like the “softness” factor from the liquid version a bit better and the smell. It’s so thrifty either way though. Can’t go wrong with either.
Patty Ann says
I have a hard time keeping my bath towels soft. Which of these recipes do you suggest for that?
Karrie says
The conditioner based one would have the towels softer.