Q: I have been making your laundry detergent for about a year. I like the quality and the savings. Do you make your own fabric softener recipe you will share? Kimberly H.
A: I'm glad you like the laundry detergent! It's been a real money saver for my family as well. I don't make my own fabric softener, but I do have a trick for stretching the use of liquid fabric softener. Be sure to buy liquid fabric softener when it's at its lowest price point using coupons and sales ad match ups. I like to keep a stockpile of it natch because I also use it for other things like homemade Febreeze.
Now, some folks will tell you straight vinegar is the way to go for fabric softener and that's good for them and I have no doubt they're right about loving it. Vinegar is aces in my book, but I like my way better. Some folks will tell you to use a combination of hair conditioner, baking soda, and vinegar for a homemade fabric softener and I have no doubt that this works well for them. This is what I do. It lasts a long, long, long time and the results are fabulous. My clothes are wrinkle free and I like the way the smell, too.
Fabric softener the OFM way:
Take a bottle of liquid fabric softener (between 70 to 100 ounce size- the big bottles) and pour it into a five gallon paint bucket. You can use whatever kind of liquid fabric softener you like. I'm partial to whatever is on sale.
Add water to almost the top of the bucket. Stir to mix well. I use an old drum stick or wooden dowel.
To use: Dip a washcloth into the diluted fabric softener and squeeze excess liquid off. Toss the wash cloth into the dryer with your wet laundry and dry as usual.
You can use the same washcloth with every load of clothes, dipping it into the diluted fabric softener before each new load is dried. It's like a recycled fabric softener sheet!
In the past, I've tried making smaller batches of diluted fabric softener in recycled milk jugs and found that I just really like the convenience of the paint bucket better. If you don't have room for a paint bucket of diluted fabric softener, you could always use a smaller container and pour a small amount of the diluted fabric softener onto the washcloth.
Easy peasy.
Add water to almost the top of the bucket. Stir to mix well. I use an old drum stick or wooden dowel.
To use: Dip a washcloth into the diluted fabric softener and squeeze excess liquid off. Toss the wash cloth into the dryer with your wet laundry and dry as usual.
You can use the same washcloth with every load of clothes, dipping it into the diluted fabric softener before each new load is dried. It's like a recycled fabric softener sheet!
In the past, I've tried making smaller batches of diluted fabric softener in recycled milk jugs and found that I just really like the convenience of the paint bucket better. If you don't have room for a paint bucket of diluted fabric softener, you could always use a smaller container and pour a small amount of the diluted fabric softener onto the washcloth.
Easy peasy.
Do you have a question that needs answering? Just email OFM at mamabee@OneFabulousMama.com! For more Magical Monday Q&A fabulousness, go here!
