Simple DIY Homemade Fabric Softener

Here is a little homemade fabric softener recipe I found that is incredibly easy, and takes no time at all.  I can’t stand it when clothes come out of the wash and when they dry they feel all stiff, or crunchy, or rough, or pretty much any way that isn’t soft and pleasant.  I also can’t stand the way that most fabric softeners smell, and I get weirded out by their strange sticky texture.  I don’t know what they are made out of, but I’m pretty sure I don’t want it on my body.  Baking soda is a great option to soften fabric for those who have sensitive skin since it is a natural mineral.

As you probably know, baking soda has about a million uses for cleaning, cooking, and personal hygiene.  Surprise, it works great as a diy fabric softener too.  Baking soda fabric softener will also help to further fight odor, ensuring that your clothes come out smelling extra clean and fresh.

Time: 1 minute

– Ingredients –

Here are the ingredients you’ll need, it’s a big list:

• baking soda

Just kidding[spacer]

– The Only Step –

1/2 cup baking soda

Just pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into your washing machine while it is on the rinse cycle.  That’s it.

By pouring it in at this time you are coming in after the detergent has done its work and is now being rinsed away.

– Why Does This Work? –

Essentially the baking soda is coming in after the detergent to restore order within your washing machine.  Baking soda works great as a fabric softener because it helps regulate pH levels within the washing machine.  Baking soda will prevent the load from being either too acidic or alkaline (from what I’ve read).

Baking soda is much better that store bought fabric softener because it contains no harsh chemicals that can be harmful to you, and to the environment.  For that reason using a baking soda fabric softener is an especially good option for people with sensitive skin or allergies.

– Does Homemade Fabric Softener Work? –

In my experience using baking soda as a fabric softener does work.   I love that you can just use baking soda to soften your laundry without having to use any sort of chemicals, or adding any strong smells to you laundry.

I’ve noticed that my clothes do come out softer than if I don’t use any fabric softener.  I washed identical towels with and without baking soda added in during the rinse cycle.  The towels with the baking soda were noticeably softer than than their baking soda free brethren.

Personally, I don’t really need all of my laundry to be washed with some form of fabric softener, but when I do want something to come out of the wash as soft as possible I’ll keep on using it as my go to fabric softener until I find a better alternative, if one does exist.  You can read a full list of homemade fabric softeners for other great softening options.

Let me know how baking soda works as a fabric softener for you, or if you’ve got another alternative that works great for you in the comments.

-Lance