Easy Ideas For Natural Fabric Softeners

The scent of fresh laundry is a smell that many people enjoy but few may consider the source of what makes fresh laundry smell so good. Dryer sheets and fabric softener will make laundry smell amazing and feel soft to the touch, but when was the last time you stopped to think about what goes into these products to make them work so well. Well, after doing a little research, you may be surprised to find out how many toxic chemicals are found in fabric softeners. What's worse is that wearing clothes that are treated with these chemicals leaves the wearer open to absorbing the chemicals into their body.

With all this said, it is still hard to deny the benefits of using a fabric softener, with the main benefit being having softer laundry that smells fresh and clean. Luckily, there are natural alternatives to synthetic fabric softeners that will yield the same results as commercial fabric softeners without the health risks. Here are some easy alternatives to try:

White Distilled Vinegar

Using white distilled vinegar in your laundry is an easy and inexpensive way to add softness to your clothes. White distilled vinegar also has the ability to remove unpleasant odors from clothes, making it a great tool to use when washing work-out clothes (which can hold onto funky odors). An added bonus of using vinegar in the washing machine is that it helps to remove soap scum and build-up.

To use white distilled vinegar, simply add the vinegar during the rinse cycle. One cup is enough for a large load of laundry, and you can adjust accordingly for smaller loads.

Tennis Balls

While this method might be slightly noisy, adding a tennis ball to the dryer with your wet clothes will help to soften the load. It is a good idea to use discretion with this method; adding tennis balls to delicate fabrics may cause damage to the clothes. Tennis balls are best to be used with heavier fabrics such as jeans or outerwear.

Aluminum Foil

Adding a ball of aluminum foil to the dryer will eliminate static cling.

Homemade Fabric Softener

Making your own fabric softener is quick, easy, and one batch can last a long time. For a simple recipe start with 6 cups of water, add 3 cups of white distilled vinegar and 2 cups of hair conditioner. Stir it well and it is ready to use.

This natural fabric softener mixture can be added to the wash cycle like other fabric softeners or a small amount can be applied to a wash cloth and tossed in the dryer with the wet clothes.

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