13 Surprising Frugal Uses for Fabric Softener — and a Few No-Nos

Discover clever, frugal ways to use fabric softener around the house, from cleaning tips to pet hair removal and more.

by Andrea Norris-McKnight

Woman holding a bottle of fabric softener giving a thumbs up

Got a bottle of fabric softener sitting around? Don’t limit it to just laundry day!

Here are 13 creative frugal ways to use fabric softener around the house and two uses to avoid.

1. Hairspray Residue Cleaner

Do you have hairspray build-up on mirrors or countertops? A quick spritz of fabric softener mix breaks it down so you can wipe it clean in no time.

2. Pet Hair Buster

Pet hair all over the place? Lightly mist fabric softener mixed with water onto your furniture or clothes, and that stubborn hair comes off much easier.

3. Streak-Free Windows and Mirrors

Mix fabric softener with water in a spray bottle, and you’ve got a streak-busting glass cleaner. Just spritz and wipe with a microfiber cloth – goodbye streaks!

4. Wallpaper Remover

Peeling off old wallpaper can be a pain. But if you score the wallpaper and soak it with fabric softener and water, it’s much easier to scrape off.

5. Say Goodbye to Static

Zap static electricity by spraying a bit of fabric softener and water mix on carpets or clothing. Your home will be a static-free zone.

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6. Tackle Greasy Stovetops

Grease is no match for fabric softener. Spray a diluted mix on your stovetop, let it sit for a few minutes and wipe away the grime. Way cheaper than those fancy kitchen cleaners!

7. Banish Hard Water Stains

Hard water stains on glass shower doors? Apply undiluted fabric softener directly on the stains, wait a bit, then wipe them away like magic.

8. Freshen Up Your Home

Try this recipe for a DIY air freshener: Mix fabric softener, baking soda and water in a spray bottle. Spritz it around the house to keep things smelling fresh on a dime.

9. Rescue Burnt Pans

Burnt food stuck to your pans? Fill the pan with warm water and add a little fabric softener. Let it sit for an hour, and that stubborn mess should lift right off.

10. Keep Dust Away

A quick wipe-down with fabric softener and water can help prevent dust from settling on hard surfaces like your shelves and tables.

11. Revive Stiff Paint Brushes

Did you leave your paintbrushes sitting too long? Soak them in water with a teaspoon of fabric softener to soften the bristles and bring them back to life.

12. Freshen Carpets

Pet hair, dust, and weird smells clinging to your carpet? Spritz a bit of diluted fabric softener before vacuuming to freshen things up and loosen stubborn debris.

13. Bug Repellent

Got bugs? A little fabric softener mixed with water can act as a natural repellent. Spray it around areas where bugs gather, and they’ll stay away.

A Few Fabric Softener No-Nos

Avoid using fabric softener on your workout clothes. According to the Tide website, fabric softener can leave behind a coating that makes it hard for water and detergent to penetrate the clothing fibers (and thus, remove odors!).

Homes & Gardens advises against using fabric softener when washing towels; it can reduce their absorbency. And what good is a towel that doesn’t dry?

Fabric softener isn’t just for keeping clothes soft — it’s a budget-friendly hack for all kinds of household tasks! Try these ideas, and you’ll see just how versatile this product really is.

Reviewed August 2025

About the Author

Andrea Norris-McKnight has been a contributor to The Dollar Stretcher for almost 15 years. She specializes in personal finance and frugal living content and has written for several other financial websites, including After 50 Finances, Money.com and GOBankingRates.com.