Many people automatically reach for fabric softener to make their clothes soft. Regular fabric softeners contain chemicals. These can damage your clothes, be bad for your skin, and harm the environment. We share 5 natural fabric softeners to make your laundry soft again.
1. Use Dryer Balls
Dryer balls are easy and effective. These balls, made of wool, help make your clothes softer during the drying process by improving air circulation in the dryer. This causes clothes to dry faster and reduces wrinkles.
Dryer balls work by fluffing your laundry, which can shorten drying time by 10 to 25%. This not only saves energy but also reduces wear on your clothes. You'll notice that clothes stick together less and fibers feel softer after using dryer balls.
The big advantage is that they are reusable. Unlike disposable dryer sheets, they contain no chemicals, making them safer for people with sensitive skin. You just put them in the dryer with your wet laundry, and they do the rest. After use, you'll immediately notice your clothes are softer.
2. Vinegar as a Natural Fabric Softener
Vinegar is also easy and inexpensive. It removes detergent residues, making fabrics feel softer. You can use regular white vinegar, which is available in almost every supermarket.
How to use vinegar?
Add half a cup (about 120 ml) of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine.
Do you have an older washing machine without a fabric softener compartment?
Then add the vinegar during the final rinse cycle.
Vinegar also helps neutralize odors, making it especially nice for towels and sportswear. Additionally, vinegar prevents limescale buildup in your washing machine, which helps your machine last longer. If you want your washing machine to last longer, read this blog.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a simple and effective fabric softener. It acts as a water softener and neutralizes odors, making your laundry not only softer but also smelling fresh. This is especially useful if you have hard water, which can make your clothes stiff.
How to use baking soda?
Add half a cup (about 100 grams) of baking soda to your washing machine, directly into the drum or detergent compartment. Wash your clothes as usual. Baking soda helps neutralize minerals in hard water and allows detergent to work better.
It prevents detergent residue buildup on clothes, resulting in cleaner and softer laundry.
4. Epsom Salt and Essential Oils
Epsom salt is a natural way to soften your laundry. It works by neutralizing minerals in hard water, making your clothes feel softer. Add about 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt to your washing machine during washing. For €4.49, you can buy 650g of Epsom salt at Kruidvat. That is enough for 43 washes.
Want to give your laundry an extra fresh scent? Then add a few drops of essential oil* to the Epsom salt.
*Note that you should only use essential oils in the washing machine and not in the dryer, as this can pose a fire hazard.
5. Homemade Fabric Softener with Conditioner
When you make your own fabric softener, you know exactly what’s in it. By mixing hair conditioner with vinegar and water, you get a natural way to soften your laundry.
What you need:
- 6 cups of water
- 3 cups of white vinegar
- 2 cups of hair conditioner (choose a scent you like)
How to make it?
1. Mix the water, vinegar, and conditioner well in a large bowl. Stir gently to avoid too much foam.
2. Pour the mixture into a sealable bottle or container.
How to use it?
Add a small amount (about ¼ cup) of the mixture during the rinse cycle of your washing machine, just like you would use regular fabric softener.
Natural Fabric Softener: 5 Home Remedies to Soften Your Laundry
