Difference between revisions of "Naturally Soften Laundry"
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Lots of people love the smell and feel of laundry that’s been treated with dryer sheets and fabric softener, but many others are sensitive to the smell or allergic to the chemicals used in these products. Luckily, there are other ways to soften your laundry without using these commercial products, including making your own. You can even combine multiple methods during the washing and drying cycles to get the softest and most static-free laundry possible. | Lots of people love the smell and feel of laundry that’s been treated with dryer sheets and fabric softener, but many others are sensitive to the smell or allergic to the chemicals used in these products. Luckily, there are other ways to soften your laundry without using these commercial products, including making your own. You can even combine multiple methods during the washing and drying cycles to get the softest and most static-free laundry possible. | ||
| − | [[Category:Laundry]] | + | [[Category: Laundry]] |
==Ingredients== | ==Ingredients== | ||
===Homemade Fabric Softener=== | ===Homemade Fabric Softener=== | ||
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Softening Clothes in the Washer === | === Softening Clothes in the Washer === | ||
| − | #Soak the laundry in salt water. This method works particularly well for natural fibers like cotton, but you do need to soak the clothes for several days. To soften clothes with a salt soak:<ref>http://www.ebay.com/gds/10-Tips-for-Softening-Cotton-Fabric-/10000000178571603/g.html</ref> | + | #Soak the laundry in salt water. This method works particularly well for natural fibers like cotton, but you do need to soak the clothes for several days. To soften clothes with a salt soak:<ref name="rf1">http://www.ebay.com/gds/10-Tips-for-Softening-Cotton-Fabric-/10000000178571603/g.html</ref> |
#* Fill a large bucket or laundry sink with lukewarm water. Add ½ cup (150 g) of salt per quart (946 ml) of water. Stir the mixture. | #* Fill a large bucket or laundry sink with lukewarm water. Add ½ cup (150 g) of salt per quart (946 ml) of water. Stir the mixture. | ||
#* Add the clothes, sheets, or towels that you want to soften to the bucket and press them down to saturate them with the salt water. | #* Add the clothes, sheets, or towels that you want to soften to the bucket and press them down to saturate them with the salt water. | ||
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#Add detergent and baking soda to your washer. When you're ready to wash your load of laundry, add your regular detergent to the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Sprinkle in ¼ to 1 cup (55 to 220 g) of baking soda to the drum as well. | #Add detergent and baking soda to your washer. When you're ready to wash your load of laundry, add your regular detergent to the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Sprinkle in ¼ to 1 cup (55 to 220 g) of baking soda to the drum as well. | ||
#* Use ¼ (55 g) of baking soda for small loads, ½ cup (110 g) for medium loads, and a full cup (220 g) for large loads. | #* Use ¼ (55 g) of baking soda for small loads, ½ cup (110 g) for medium loads, and a full cup (220 g) for large loads. | ||
| − | #* Baking soda acts as a water softener, so it will help to soften your laundry as well. It’s also a deodorizer, and will kill smells and odors in your laundry.<ref>http://naturesnurtureblog.com/how-to-naturally-freshen-your-laundry/</ref> | + | #* Baking soda acts as a water softener, so it will help to soften your laundry as well. It’s also a deodorizer, and will kill smells and odors in your laundry.<ref name="rf2">http://naturesnurtureblog.com/how-to-naturally-freshen-your-laundry/</ref> |
#Place the clothes into the washing machine. Remove the clothes from the salt water bath and gently wring them out to remove excess water. Transfer the load of clothes to the washing machine. | #Place the clothes into the washing machine. Remove the clothes from the salt water bath and gently wring them out to remove excess water. Transfer the load of clothes to the washing machine. | ||
#* If you skipped the soaking method, simply place your load of dry clothes into the washer. | #* If you skipped the soaking method, simply place your load of dry clothes into the washer. | ||
#* Check the tags on your laundry items to make sure it’s safe to put them in the washing machine, and take note of any special care instructions. | #* Check the tags on your laundry items to make sure it’s safe to put them in the washing machine, and take note of any special care instructions. | ||
#Add a fabric softener alternative for the rinse cycle. Normal fabric softeners are incorporated into the wash during the rinse cycle, and you can use a softening alternative for your wash to get the same effects as a commercial product. Either add the softening alternative to the fabric softener compartment, or fill a fabric softener ball and add it to the drum. Good fabric softener alternatives include: | #Add a fabric softener alternative for the rinse cycle. Normal fabric softeners are incorporated into the wash during the rinse cycle, and you can use a softening alternative for your wash to get the same effects as a commercial product. Either add the softening alternative to the fabric softener compartment, or fill a fabric softener ball and add it to the drum. Good fabric softener alternatives include: | ||
| − | #* ¼ to ½ cup (59 to 119 ml) of white vinegar (which will also help reduce stiffness if you line-dry your clothes)<ref>https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-keep-line-dried-clothes-from-getting-stiff-1387965</ref> | + | #* ¼ to ½ cup (59 to 119 ml) of white vinegar (which will also help reduce stiffness if you line-dry your clothes)<ref name="rf3">https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-keep-line-dried-clothes-from-getting-stiff-1387965</ref> |
| − | #* ¼ to ½ cup (102 to 205 g) of borax<ref | + | #* ¼ to ½ cup (102 to 205 g) of borax<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Wash your clothes. Set your washing machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and according to the garment care labels on your clothes. Use the right temperature, wash and soil settings, and load size based on the load and the type of clothes. | #Wash your clothes. Set your washing machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and according to the garment care labels on your clothes. Use the right temperature, wash and soil settings, and load size based on the load and the type of clothes. | ||
#* For instance, if you're washing delicate items, be sure to select the Delicate or Hand Wash setting. | #* For instance, if you're washing delicate items, be sure to select the Delicate or Hand Wash setting. | ||
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===Removing Static in the Dryer=== | ===Removing Static in the Dryer=== | ||
#Transfer your clean clothes to the dryer. When your washing machine has gone through its full wash, rinse, and spin cycles and come to a stop, remove the clothes from the drum and transfer them to the dryer. | #Transfer your clean clothes to the dryer. When your washing machine has gone through its full wash, rinse, and spin cycles and come to a stop, remove the clothes from the drum and transfer them to the dryer. | ||
| − | #* To help reduce the time your clothes will need in the dryer, you can run a second spin cycle on the washing machine before transferring your clothes.<ref>https://www.lowes.com/projects/kitchen-and-dining/make-your-washer-and-dryer-more-efficient/project</ref> | + | #* To help reduce the time your clothes will need in the dryer, you can run a second spin cycle on the washing machine before transferring your clothes.<ref name="rf4">https://www.lowes.com/projects/kitchen-and-dining/make-your-washer-and-dryer-more-efficient/project</ref> |
| − | #Add static-reducing balls to the dryer. While these balls won’t necessarily make your clothes softer, they will make them less clingy, less likely to cause shocks, and more comfortable to wear. You can either put two to three wool dryer balls in with your load of laundry, or you can make aluminum foil balls.<ref>http://www.cleanmama.net/2016/07/4-ways-to-naturally-soften-and-freshen-your-laundry.html</ref> | + | #Add static-reducing balls to the dryer. While these balls won’t necessarily make your clothes softer, they will make them less clingy, less likely to cause shocks, and more comfortable to wear. You can either put two to three wool dryer balls in with your load of laundry, or you can make aluminum foil balls.<ref name="rf5">http://www.cleanmama.net/2016/07/4-ways-to-naturally-soften-and-freshen-your-laundry.html</ref> |
| − | #* To make an aluminum foil ball for the dryer, measure out about 3 feet (91 cm) of aluminum foil from a roll.<ref>https://www.cnet.com/how-to/use-a-ball-of-aluminum-foil-to-eliminate-static-in-the-dryer/</ref> | + | #* To make an aluminum foil ball for the dryer, measure out about 3 feet (91 cm) of aluminum foil from a roll.<ref name="rf6">https://www.cnet.com/how-to/use-a-ball-of-aluminum-foil-to-eliminate-static-in-the-dryer/</ref> |
#* Scrunch the aluminum foil into a small sphere with a 2- to 3-inch (5- to 8-cm) diameter. | #* Scrunch the aluminum foil into a small sphere with a 2- to 3-inch (5- to 8-cm) diameter. | ||
#* Pack the foil ball as tightly as possible to make it smoother. | #* Pack the foil ball as tightly as possible to make it smoother. | ||
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===Making Homemade Fabric Softeners=== | ===Making Homemade Fabric Softeners=== | ||
#Make a scented vinegar. Instead of adding plain vinegar to your rinse cycle to soften your clothes, you can make a scented vinegar that will add some extra freshness to your laundry. | #Make a scented vinegar. Instead of adding plain vinegar to your rinse cycle to soften your clothes, you can make a scented vinegar that will add some extra freshness to your laundry. | ||
| − | #* To make a scented vinegar, add about 40 drops of essential oils to 1 gallon (3.8 L) of white vinegar.<ref>https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-fabric-softener-dryer-sheets/</ref> | + | #* To make a scented vinegar, add about 40 drops of essential oils to 1 gallon (3.8 L) of white vinegar.<ref name="rf7">https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-fabric-softener-dryer-sheets/</ref> |
#* Store the mixture in a clearly marked container so that you don’t use the vinegar for cooking by accident. | #* Store the mixture in a clearly marked container so that you don’t use the vinegar for cooking by accident. | ||
#* Popular essential oils for laundry include lemon, orange, lavender, and mint. | #* Popular essential oils for laundry include lemon, orange, lavender, and mint. | ||
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#* To make a homemade fabric softener, combine the Epsom or sea salt and essential oils and stir until fully combined. Then stir in the baking soda. | #* To make a homemade fabric softener, combine the Epsom or sea salt and essential oils and stir until fully combined. Then stir in the baking soda. | ||
#* Store the mixture in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. | #* Store the mixture in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. | ||
| − | #* To use, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of homemade fabric softener per load of laundry. Add the mixture to the fabric softener compartment on your machine, or to a fabric softener ball.<ref>http://everydayroots.com/homemade-fabric-softener</ref> | + | #* To use, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of homemade fabric softener per load of laundry. Add the mixture to the fabric softener compartment on your machine, or to a fabric softener ball.<ref name="rf8">http://everydayroots.com/homemade-fabric-softener</ref> |
| − | #Make your own scented dryer sheets. To add even more fresh scent to your laundry, you can also make your own scented dryer sheets. While these won’t soften your laundry the way commercial dryer sheets do, they will infuse your laundry with wonderful smells. To make homemade dryer sheets:<ref | + | #Make your own scented dryer sheets. To add even more fresh scent to your laundry, you can also make your own scented dryer sheets. While these won’t soften your laundry the way commercial dryer sheets do, they will infuse your laundry with wonderful smells. To make homemade dryer sheets:<ref name="rf5" /> |
#* Cut four or five 4-inch (10-cm) squares from an old cotton or flannel shirt, towel, or blanket | #* Cut four or five 4-inch (10-cm) squares from an old cotton or flannel shirt, towel, or blanket | ||
#* Place the sheets of fabric into a bowl or jar | #* Place the sheets of fabric into a bowl or jar | ||
