If you're taking the time to make your own laundry detergent in order to save money and the environment, there's a good chance you'd be interested in a recipe for homemade fabric softener.
If you live in the Wichita area, you've no doubt noticed that the price for fabric softeners isn't just a pocketful of change anymore. At Target, for example, A 48-ounce bottle of Snuggle will cost $4.49, and a 103-ounce bottle of Downy can cost upwards of $8. Go to Sam's Club and a 170-ounce container drops the price-per-wash down, but you'll still pay nearly $12 for it.
Why not make your own fabric softener for a fraction of the price of store-bought brands? Here's a recipe that is cents on the dollar compared with name-brand equivalents, and there are no unknown ingredients or chemicals in the mix. Plus, you can customize the scent — or leave it unscented — to your liking.
Note that when making the following recipe, a chemical reaction will occur; plan accordingly and use a container that's bigger than the amount you're making.
Homemade fabric softener
1 cup water
1 cup baking soda
2 cups white vinegar
15–20 drops essential oil
Combine the water, essential oil of your choosing and baking soda. Very slowly, add the vinegar. (If vinegar is added too quickly, the chemical reaction will cause the solution to bubble over, much like a volcano.) Mix well.
Use 1/2 cup in the rinse cycle of your washing machine.
Happy laundering!
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