Since my most popular posts are my homemade laundry detergent and homemade Shout, I figured I need to post my final homemade laundry recipe to complete the deal.
I just recently started using this recipe when I ran out of my store-bought softener. As always, I was skeptical. I had all the ingredients in my cupboard, so I gave it a go. So glad I did. I adore it completely! In fact, I just made my second batch of it this morning. You can store it in your old fabric softener container, or use a clean milk jug.
The cost for 3 quarts comes in around 75 cents!!! I used cheap Suave Mango conditioner and it worked perfectly. It smelled heavenly and left a hint of the mango scent on my clothes. I wanted a bit stronger scent on my dried clothes so I added some orange essential oil to the mix. Just a few drops did the trick. My clothes really smell delicious now!
So there you have it. All my laundry secrets revealed. And since I save so much money on my laundry, I don’t feel guilty walking into my favorite kitchen supply store and buying another bowl I don’t need.
My name is Carole, and I have a bowl problem……
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Carole Jones is an Arizona-based cookbook author & food blogger. She's authored The 30 Minute Cooking From Frozen Cookbook and the self-published Take 5: Chicken e-cookbook. For the past 15 years, Carole has shared her culinary adventures cooking and baking for her six brutally honest children here on My Kitchen Escapades. Hot, crusty bread is Carole's love language, but her two adorable grandchildren are a close second. Yes, second. Don't judge.
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32 comments
Thanks so much for sharing your recipe, I found it on Pinterest and pinned it to remember it. When it’s made can I just use a downy ball?
AkMama: Use this softener just like you would your regular softener. Same method, same amount.
Regarding the lotion vs. conditioner substitution: lotion is about 25% oil and emulsifiers and 75% water, where conditioner is about 5% to 10% oils and emulsifiers and 90% or more water. I would NOT substitute. Lotion has more “stuff” in it…like some solid oils and such sometimes too. However, if you really want to go all natural, you could make conditioner 1st (but you have to get ahold of an ingredient called BTMS) and then use your homemade conditioner…? A bit of work, but you would know what was in it.
One more thought…separate your natural fiber clothing(cottons, denim, washable wool) from your poly-type fibers when washing. The natural fibers will not have static and you should not need to use anything but vinegar in the rinse to make them soft. Silky polyesters, fleece and those types of things will load you with static so save your softeners for those by washing separately.
Wow! I am going to try this, I love to save money on laundry, I make my detergent, air dry most of my clothes and made myself a home made reuseable dryer sheet, (a wash cloth soaked in liquic fab softner, air dry. It lasts about a month!) Thanks, I’m sure I could use this recipie for that too!
I still have lots of static. How much should I be using for a front load washer?
Mary – You should use the same amount as you did with store bought softener. Since each machine is different in size, I really can’t give you a specific amount. My front loader comes with a dispenser with a “max fill” line that I use. Good luck!
Thank you Carole. I had been using concentrate, so I forgot about the max fill line. So silly…
Can you safely use this in a front loader machine that calls for HE softners without ruining your machine or making it stink?
Simply Sarah – Yes, this is HE safe. I have an HE machine and it does wonderfully.