My recipe for homemade fabric softener will keep your clothes smelling fresh and feeling as soft as ever without relying on dryer sheets or other store-bought softeners! It’s one of the best laundry DIYs that’s gentle on your clothing and your wallet.

If you’re looking for a quick and fun DIY that’s made specifically for your washer, then I’ve got you covered. These homemade fabric softener crystals are safe, budget-friendly, and perfect for tackling load after load. Pair them with your favorite laundry detergent, and your clothes will come out smelling heavenly and feeling irresistibly soft. Laundry day just got a lot more satisfying!

Why You’ll Love This Natural Fabric Softener
- This homemade fabric softener recipe is so quick and easy to make.
- It’s free from harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances or artificial scents that may irritate sensitive skin or trigger allergies.
- It reduces static cling in fabrics.
- Fabric softener crystals are eco-friendly as they dissolve in the water (no warm water needed!), leaving no residues behind.
- You can customize the scent by adding drops of your favorite essential oils instead of lavender if you prefer.
- These laundry crystals can help you save money in the long run!

Ingredient Notes
Epsom Salt: A natural softener that helps relax fabric fibers, making them feel softer and smoother after washing.
Baking Soda: Acts as a water softener due to its alkaline properties, making fabrics feel less stiff. It can also neutralize the odors on the clothing.
Lavender Essential Oil: Provides a pleasant scent to your clothing, leaving it smelling fresh and calming.

How To Make Homemade Fabric Softener Crystals
- In a small bowl, mix together the Epsom salt, baking soda, and essential oil. Stir well to ensure the oil is evenly distributed.
- Pour the blend into an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dry spot for storage.

How To Use These DIY Fabric Softener Crystals
To use, simply add 2–3 tablespoons of the crystals to your washing machine during the rinse cycle for soft, fresh-scented laundry. This amount may be adjusted depending on the size of the load and how soft you want your clothes to be.

Top Tips
- Slowly add the drops of essential oil to the dry ingredients and mix them thoroughly. Adding too much at once may lead to clumping.
- While the crystals work on most clothing, you may need to exercise caution when using them on delicate or expensive fabrics. It’s best to test the softener on a small load of laundry first to ensure no adverse reaction occurs.
- Other scents that work well in this recipe include rose, jasmine, lemon, orange, eucalyptus, tea tree, or peppermint. You can even blend them to create your own unique fragrance. However, refrain from adding too many essential oils in the homemade fabric softener as they might stain the clothing.
- Sea salt can be an alternative if you don’t have Epsom salt on hand. However, since sea salt has coarser, larger grains, you might need to test it out to see if it dissolves well in your washing machine. You can grind the sea salt before using it in this recipe.
- Use a spoon or dry scoop to avoid introducing water to the mixture, which may lead it to clump or prematurely dissolve.

Storage
Store your homemade fabric softener crystals in an airtight container, like a Mason jar or a plastic container with a lid. Keep them away from heat and direct sunlight, which can affect the potency of the essential oils.
Also, keep these crystals away from the reach of children and pets, as they can be harmful if ingested.

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Homemade Fabric Softener
Equipment
Materials
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the Epsom salt, baking soda, and essential oil, stirring thoroughly to evenly distribute the oil.
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dry place.
- To use, add 2–3 tablespoons of the crystals to your washing machine during the rinse cycle for soft, fresh-scented laundry.
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