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.

Glass jar with white lavender bath salts, topped with dried lavender flowers, on a wooden surface. Dry lavender sprigs are scattered around.

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!

A small glass jar filled with coarse salt and dried herbs sits on a wooden table, evoking the soothing essence of a natural fabric softener, surrounded by scattered lavender sprigs and seeds.

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!

A jar of bath salts topped with lavender sits on a wooden surface, surrounded by dried lavender sprigs, evoking the soothing scent of fabric softener.

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.

A glass jar filled with coarse white salt and topped with dried lavender sits on a wooden surface, reminiscent of a natural fabric softener, surrounded by scattered lavender sprigs.

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.

A jar of bath salts with lavender sprigs rests on a wooden surface, surrounded by scattered lavender and a wrapped lavender bundle, evoking the soothing aroma of fabric softener.

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.

If you're looking for a liquid softener, check out this homemade fabric softener recipe.

A glass jar filled with white bath salts sits on a wooden surface, surrounded by scattered dried lavender, exuding a calming scent reminiscent of a gentle fabric softener.

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.

A glass jar filled with bath salts rests on a wooden surface, surrounded by scattered lavender flowers and stems, evoking the soothing scent of a natural fabric softener.

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.

A small glass jar filled with coarse white bath salts sits on a wooden surface, surrounded by scattered dried lavender flowers. A paper-wrapped bundle of lavender is partially visible, evoking the gentle scent akin to a natural fabric softener.

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