Non-Toxic Fabric Softeners You Can Make at Home

Using store-bought fabric softener isn’t something most people would give a second thought to. However, it is important to note that name-brand fabric softeners are FULL of harmful chemicals. Beyond even the overall chemicals, any “fragrance” listed in the ingredients can legally be an umbrella term for up to 400 individual toxins that make up that “Breezy Summer” scent! Gross, right?? That’s why I figured out a few options that are easy to DIY, AND they’re toxin-free! Keep reading for some non-toxic fabric softeners you can make at home…

Why use fabric softener at all?
Before we get into the recipes, let’s talk about why you even want to use fabric softener in the first place. Fabric softener can really improve the feel of your clothes. This is especially nice for blankets, and if you live in an area with hard water. Hard water can cause some mineral build up on your clothes, leaving them feeling a bit stiff and crispy. Plus, who doesn’t like comfy, squishy clothes and blankets??

A bonus to making your own fabric softener is that you can add in essential oils to create your own custom scents! The possibilities are totally endless, and you can even make seasonal blends if you’re feeling extra excited for a certain time of year! Christmas scented throws, anyone?? ;)

Now that we know why we would even want to use it, let’s talk about those non-toxic fabric softeners you can make at home.

Baking Soda
I definitely recommend using baking soda if you have a problem with the pH balance of your water. Baking soda can help whether your washer gets too acidic or too basic. It is also a great option for anyone with hard water since it keeps those extra minerals from settling into your clothes. 

Recipe Per Load
½ cup of baking soda

3-5 drops of your choice of essential oils

Directions
Mix together and add to your washer while it’s in the rinse cycle.

Salt
Using salts as fabric softener can be a lot of fun purely because they look so pretty in a jar; and they are super easy to add essential oils to, since they don’t already have a strong smell. Himalayan pink salt and sea salt are best if you have hard water, and Epsom salts will be the way to go if you don’t! The reason for this is because Epsom salts can potentially build up a teeny bit on your clothes, and you don’t want that if you already struggle with hard water.

Recipe Per Load
½ cup of salt of your choice

8-10 drops of essential oil(s)

Directions
Mix together and add to your washer while it’s in the rinse cycle.

White Vinegar
Vinegar is a perfect fabric softener, and it also removes any detergent build up that might collect on your clothes and washer. You might be concerned about the smell, but after a line dry or trip to the dryer, it’s a non-issue!

Recipe Per Load
¼-½ cup of white vinegar

5-7 drops of your favorite essential oils

Directions
Mix together and add to your washer’s softener dispenser and/or the rinse cycle. Try just one at a time at first to see what works best for your clothes/water.

I hope you love these non-toxic fabric softeners you can make at home as much as I do! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions, or favorite essential oil blends you love using for your clothes! 

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