I have read on zero waste blogs, and FB groups, about not using store bought fabric conditioner (also called softener) and thought I would give it a go.
What is in fabric conditioner anyway?
A fabric conditioner (or softener) is applied to your laundry during the rinse cycle to make the items feel softer, reduce drying times, reduce creases and give them a fragrance. This works by coating the surface of a fabric with chemical compounds that are electrically charged, causing threads to “stand up” from the surface so the fabric feels softer and makes it fluffier. These chemicals and perfumes can cause skin irritation. They also add to the cocktail of chemicals that we are exposed to on a daily basis. See my post on cleaning products for more details on this issue.
The recipe
This was so easy that it seemed too easy, it was with slight trepidation I gave it a go.
- 50/50 white vinegar and water
- 30 drops of essential oils or to personal preference
- An old leak proof bottle
- Funnel if your bottle neck is quite narrow
Cost comparison
- Lenor (one of the leading mainstream UK brands) approx. £1.38 per litre for a 3 litre bottle.
- Bio-D approx. £1.84 per litre, we were buying the 5 litre bottles to save plastic.
- White vinegar 73p per litre.
The recipe is half vinegar, half water so the actual cost is approx 36p per litre! Assuming you already have some essential oils to use up.
White vinegar can be bought in bulk from Ebay. Although not plastic free, buying in large sizes reduces the amount of plastic used, and this is made of “bottle plastic”, so can be recycled in most peoples council waste streams.
My local bulk shop Get Loose at Hackney City Farm sells white vinegar loose so I can fill up by own bottle. Check the Refill app to find your local bulk shop or if in London see my post about “where to food shop with less packaging”.
The results
Nothing seems to have suffered so far. The clothes still come out smelling fine. Looking fine and feeling fine. Towels don’t feel any different than they did before.
Note; we used to use natural Bio-D fabric softener and we don’t own a tumble dryer.
Why not give it a try and save?
The other bonus is the washing machine draw is not getting gunked up. I used to have to pull it out and give it a good clean every few weeks. Haven’t had to do this so far 🙂
This post has been added to A Green and Rosie Life #Going Green Linky
9 Comments
chickenruby
i rarely use fabric condition, I can’t stand the smell #goinggreen
GreenDuckie
Totally agree. I have found I am quite sensitive to the smell of commercial mainstream ones when I visit other people’s homes now!
Leta Elliott
I’m glad to hear we’re not the only ones doing this! We add citrus peel as well as essential oils to the bottls to add fragrance. #GoingGreenLinky
GreenDuckie
Citrus peel sounds great, will give this a try, thank you.
Marla
Hi,
I stopped using regular fabric softener years ago. I used the white vinegar but in the new washers you can’t open the lid during the cycle. So I bought the organic lambs wool dryer balls and they work great in the dryer. Visiting from #GoingGreenLinky Sharing on social media.
GreenDuckie
The Uk and USA washing machines are so different! Ours have a dedicated draw with separate compartments for the detergent and fabric softener.
Rosie (@greenrosielife)
I had never used fabric conditioner (or a tumble drier) anyway and as a family we are happy with towels that are not super fluffy. But since I now supply towels for the gite I felt I did perhaps need to make them a bit softer after washing. No prizes for guessing what I use to do that – vinegar! #GoingGreen
Janet
I’m presuming the laundry then doesn’t smell of the whit vinegar?
GreenDuckie
Janet, No it doesn’t. However some people do like to add essential oils or orange peel but I don’t bother!