6 Homemade Cheap Fabric Softeners + 3 Softener Stretchers

In this article: Simple fabric softener alternatives (some without the chemicals) from our frugal readers for keeping your laundry soft, fresh, static-free and wrinkle-free for less.

Fabric softeners do several jobs, including reducing static, freshening clothing, fighting wrinkles and, as the name states, softening clothing. However, many commercial softeners are pricey and contain a number of chemicals.

Below, you’ll find recipes from our frugal readers for homemade cheap fabric softener alternatives that are soft on your clothing and your budget. Some are natural solutions if chemicals are a concern. One or more of these ideas should help you reduce the cost of keeping your clothing soft, fresh, static-free and wrinkle-free.

1. Borax

A 1/4 cup 20 Mule Team Borax in your rinse water will do the trick. This isn’t a homemade option, but it is cheaper and just as effective as products labeled as fabric softeners.
Mary Sue

2. Glycerin

Mix 1 cup of Glycerin (available at your local natural market) and 1 gallon of water. Add 1/2 cup of this mixture to the wash or rinse cycle to soften clothing. Not only is it cheaper, but also it is much safer for the environment!
Jo

3. Plain Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural fabric softener (1/2 cup a load usually works). We use it for our baby’s cloth diapers because fabric softeners take away their absorbency and it works great.

The vinegar also helps to remove soap residue.
Allison

4. Baking Soda

I found that recipe for fabric softener in an issue of Tightwad Living:

• 2 cups baking soda
• 2 cups white vinegar
• 4 cups water

Mix ingredients and store in a plastic or glass container in your laundry area. Label the container and keep it out of the reach of children. To use: Shake the mixture and add 1/4 cup to the final rinse in your washing machine. If you have hard water, use 1/3 cup.
Brittany

5. Hair Conditioner

Buy one of the jumbo jugs of cheap hair conditioner and dilute it approximately 3:1 (water—3, conditioner—1). This works just as well as any fabric softener I’ve ever used, and you can get those big jugs of conditioner for very cheap. You can even choose your own scents!
Martina

6. DIY Dryer Balls

Here is a dryer sheet money-saver. I reuse my kids’ old socks that get massive holes to make dryer balls. I bunch a few up, stuff them into another sock, roll them up, flip a side of the sock over the rolled ball, and sew the ends shut. Then, I dip them in a solution of water and white distilled vinegar and toss them into the dryer. The water stops the static, and the vinegar (which does not leave the smell behind) eliminates odors and softens. They last forever!
N.

7. Stretching Store-Bought Softeners

If you’d rather stick to commercial products, here are a few ideas for stretching softener dollars.

A Downy Dilution System

If you like to hang your clothes out, try this and see how it works for you. Hang them out first to dry almost completely, and then throw them in the dryer for just about 5 minutes. This will soften them.

To save money on the Downy, instead of putting the capful in the washer when washing the clothes, try it this way:

I make a mixture in an old butter tub with a lid of approximately 1 part fabric softener to 4 parts water. I cut a large wash cloth into fourths and throw those pieces in the Downy mixture. Wring your Downy cloth out well so as not to leave marks on the clothes. Bring your clothes in off the line and throw in dryer for about 5 min. with one of the cloths.

This should make your clothes soft and save you money. A bottle of Downy used this way will last a really, really long time.

A hint I learned is not to make a large amount of the Downy/water mixture because it will get slimy as it sits for a few weeks. Probably a good amount to start with is 1/4 cup downy to 1 cup water or even dilute it a little more if you find you can and it will still soften clothes. I think I probably do 1/4 cup to 2 cups water and it works fine. For the money you save, it’s worth the hassle of wringing out a washcloth.
L.

Related: How To Air Dry Clothes Without Stiffness

Dilute Cheap Fabric Softener

Buy the cheapest store-brand liquid fabric softener (the refill size is usually the best deal) and a spray bottle. Mix 1 part fabric softener with 3 parts water in the bottle. Spray inside your dryer before putting in the clean, wet clothes.

I’ve been doing this for over a year and have only gone through 1 1/2 cartons of fabric softener. My investment has been much cheaper than the cost of Bounce fabric softener sheets I would normally have used over the same length of time.
Terri B. in MD

Combine Fabric Softener and Vinegar

I have devised a formula for making my fabric softener last three times as long, and my clothes are softer than with the fabric softener alone. I buy a large bottle of softener. Then, I pour two cups of softener, two cups of white vinegar, and two cups of water into a smaller container. I shake this mixture well and then use it just as I would the full-strength softener.

My clothes are soft, and the towels are fluffier than with full-strength softener. My daughter is now using this formula for her clothes, too, and loves it for her kids’ clothes.
Donna R. in Nokomis, FL

How Much Will You Save With One of These Homemade Cheap Fabric Softeners?

Fabric softeners might keep your clothing soft, but they can be hard on the budget. Hopefully, one or more of these tips for cheap fabric softeners can help you save on the cost of keeping clothing clean.

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Reviewed March 2024