How to Make Fabric Softener Sheets

Fabric softener sheets adds convenience to every load of laundry for just a few pennies each. Those pennies add up, though. You can cut the cost of laundry by making your own dryer sheets. Homemade fabric softener sheets allow you to keep the convenience and your pennies. Read on to learn how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spray bottle
• Liquid fabric softener
• An old washcloth

1. Mix 1/3 cup of liquid fabric softener with 2/3 cup of warm water in the spray bottle. Shake well. Label the bottle.

2. Mist the washcloth with the fabric softener solution. Place the washcloth on top of the clothes in the dryer. Start the dryer immediately to prevent spots on the clothing.

3. Use a dark-colored washcloth with light colored laundry (and vice versa). You can easily spot it when the clothes come out of the dryer.

4. Re-mist the washcloth for each dryer load. Shake the mister each time. Launder the washcloth occasionally with a load of towels to prevent build-up of the fabric softener.

Tips & Warnings

• If the fabric softener leaves spot on dark clothing, rub the area with a bar of mild face soap and re-launder.
• One cup of the fabric softener solution can last through approximately 60 – 70 loads. A bottle of fabric softener can last for years.
• Fabric softeners decrease absorbency, so don't use it on towels. Instead add a 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Add fragrance to a sponge and toss it into the dryer with the towels.
• Fabric softeners can reduce the flame resistance in children's sleepwear. Launder these items without fabric softener.

Resources

• How Fabric Softeners Work