Baking Soda: Baking soda is another natural alternative that can help soften fabrics and eliminate odors. Adding half a cup to one cup of baking soda to the wash cycle can help soften clothes and neutralize odors. Wool
A great natural fabric softener is white vinegar. A half-cup of white vinegar when added to the final rinse will soften fabrics and leave no residue at all. I have been adding vinegar to my towels when I wash them and it works great!
The Kitchen Concoction: Baking Soda & Vinegar
With a few items found in your kitchen pantry, you can mix up your own natural fabric softener. All you need is water, baking soda and vinegar, plus a few drops of essential oils if you'd like it scented. Stir until mixed and add in one-part vinegar (ex: one-half cup).
There are a few things you can use to soften your clothes without using fabric softener. One is to add a cup of vinegar to the wash cycle. You can also add a half cup of baking soda. Another option is to use a dryer sheet.
Use white vinegar in your washer instead of fabric softener, then store your clothes with little mesh baggies of lavender or another herb you aren't sensitive to.
Vinegar leaves clothes scent-free: While vinegar has a distinctive odor when added to the rinse cycle the scent is not transferred to your laundry. Most commercial fabric softeners have fragrances added that may not be pleasant to everyone.
Remember, fabric softener is completely optional, and your garments will likely pop out of the dryer feeling fresh, clean, and soft without it. However, “For some, it might make doing their laundry a little more fun to use an extra product that smells very good and is colorful,” Fulford says.
Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls - Natural Fabric Softener, Reusable, Reduces Clothing Wrinkles and Saves Drying Time, Better Alternative to Plastic Balls and Liquid Softener (Pack of 6)
Vinegar is a fantastic natural alternative to fabric softeners. It's non-toxic and 100% free from harsh chemicals, this makes it safe for even the most sensitive skin.
How can I soften sheets without fabric softener? If you prefer to avoid fabric softeners, alternatives exist. Adding a half cup of baking soda to the wash can neutralize odors and soften sheets. White vinegar, when used during the rinse cycle, helps break down mineral deposits that cause stiffness.
"Add a cup of white vinegar or baking soda to your laundry cycle to help neutralise stubborn odours and freshen up your clothes. For extra freshness, consider adding a few drops of essential oils, such as lavender or eucalyptus, to your wash to leave your clothes smelling heavenly."
If you're looking for ease and combating static cling, dryer sheets might be the way to go. But if you want an all-around softening experience and are mindful of long-term costs, fabric softeners could be your best bet.
Wool is a natural fabric softener; its properties help absorb moisture, which reduces static cling and softens fabrics. "Dryer balls help reduce drying time by increasing air circulation and separating clothes in the dryer.
I use vinegar in place of fabric softener and have been doing so for 30 years. I put a splash of vinegar in the fabric softener tray in my washing machine in place of fabric softener. Clothes don't get holes or wear. It's a couple tablespoons of low acid in a huge tub.
A half cup of baking soda can also boost the power of value laundry detergent. A half cup of baking soda may also help soften your clothing, instead of using synthetic fabric softeners. You can clean your iron with baking soda.
ACV laundry use #2: It softens fabrics
“Add ½ cup of apple cider vinegar to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine,” notes MacCannell. The vinegar will release during the final rinse of the wash cycle and break down buildup, making the towels fluffy and absorbent once again.
Should I use dryer sheets? It depends on the load. Dryer sheets work well for most everyday items made of natural fibers, such as cotton shirts, pants and socks, but it's best to avoid using dryer sheets on athleticwear & microfiber, towels, flame-resistant clothing and water-repellent fabric.