Homemade goods part 2

Last week I did a post on homemade laundry soap. Want a fabric softener recipe too?

You can use this same thing for either fabric softener in the wash or as dryer sheets...

Just add your choice of essential oil to some distilled white vinegar (put as much or as little as you want...depending on how heavily scented you want your clothes to be). I'm a major fan of eucalyptus. It kills dust mites and clears your sinuses. And smells ridiculously good. But you could really use any scent...Lavender, Rosewood, citrus scents, etc. If you want to put it in the wash (to replace liquid softener), simply add 1/4 cup of the scented vinegar to the last rinse cycle OR you can put it in the bleach compartment of your washer. Since I'm not always home for the last rinse cycle, I use the bleach compartment.

If you prefer to soften fabrics in the dryer or want the extra static reducer, just dip or mist a clean washcloth with the same scented vinegar mix and throw it in the dryer with your clothes. And you're done! And don't worry, your clothes won't smell like vinegar. And a note about the essential oils...don't waste your money on the super expensive ones in the store. Go to amazon. They're tons cheaper on there. The purpose of this is to save money, remember? My sister-in-law found another great website with excellent if you want to check it out here.

Have a pesky stain that needs a little more than just detergent? Here's all you need...
1 cup water
1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
1/2 cup baking soda

Simply soak the soiled item(s) in your washer for 20 minutes to overnight depending on the stain (double or triple the recipe as needed for the amount of clothes), and then proceed to wash as normal!

I've been told you can skip the water and soaking and just add the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to your wash with the laundry soap for the same effect, but I have not tried it.

All three of these things are so simple, so easy, and so cost efficient. I'm SO glad I tried it. I love it. I'll never buy another thing of laundry soap, fabric softener, or stain remover!