Conditioning things is a necessary process. The industry produces mouthwashes that have different compositions and aroma. Finding and buying what you need is not always possible. Sometimes the reason for refusing to purchase may be the high cost of the product. There is a way out of this situation. You can make your own fabric softener.
The need to condition linen and clothing
When faced with fabric air conditioners, the question arises: why is it needed? Rinse aids, which are produced industrially, contain surfactant components. When rinsed, they spread over the surface of things, forming a kind of film. It has a number of positive aspects:
- Things become soft and comfortable while wearing.
- The electrostatic effect is removed from fabric, especially wool.
- Thanks to their softening, ironing becomes easier.
- Colored items do not lose their color.
- Holds dirt on the surface of things, preventing it from penetrating the fiber structure.
- Industrial air fresheners come in a wide range of scents.
The presence of these qualities indicates the need to use conditioners for things.
The disadvantage of industrial rinses is the presence of harmful components in them. This may be benzyl alcohol, ethanol, pental, ethyl acetate, linalool, terpineol. These components are mostly used as flavoring fillers. But they can cause headaches, nervous disorders, and drowsiness.
How to rinse things without harming your health? To do this, you need to prepare fabric conditioner yourself.
Self-production: advantages and methods
Making your own mouthwash has a number of advantages. These include:
- Financial savings.
- Manufactured from environmentally friendly fillers.
- There is an opportunity to create your own scent.
- No irritation or allergies after conditioning.
- Cleans clothes efficiently from washing powder.
- Perfectly softens the structure of fabric fibers.
- It can be stored for a long time and retain its properties.
There are several ways to make fabric softener at home. It can be made:
- Using acetic acid.
- From a mixture of borax and soda.
- Using tennis balls.
Each of these methods is characterized by its uniqueness. The use of any method depends on personal preference.
Vinegar conditioner
By adding various fillers to vinegar, you can prepare a special conditioner that will restore the quality of your clothes. It will become soft and have a unique aroma. Clothes will be easy to iron and will not be electrified. The absence of electrification will eliminate the need to purchase antistatic drugs. In addition, the vinegar solution destroys a significant part of bacteria and harmful microorganisms. There are several options for making a homemade rinse aid. washing machine-automatic machine.
Option 1. With the addition of lavender oil
To prepare such a conditioner, you will need 4-4.5 liters of vinegar solution and lavender oil. Pour the vinegar into a container, add 20-25 drops of lavender oil and mix well. The finished solution will add softness and aroma to washed laundry.
If you are washing white clothes and the washing machine is fully loaded, then during rinsing it will be enough to add 200-250 grams of solution. The volume of the solution can be reduced depending on the decrease in the volume of laundry. When washing colored items, the volume of added solution must be halved.
You can store the finished rinse aid in an opaque container for 1.5-2 months in a dark place.
Option 2. With the addition of mint
This option is identical to the lavender option. The difference is the smaller volume of vinegar for conditioner. To prepare the conditioner you will need 3-3.5 liters of vinegar. Pour the vinegar into a container, add 20-25 drops of mint and mix thoroughly.
The volumes of addition for rinsing white linen and colored clothes are similar to the first option.
Option 3. Using baking soda and essential oil
To prepare this homemade fabric softener, you will need 1.5 liters of water, 150 ml of vinegar, essential oil, 120 ml of baking soda.
Add vinegar solution to the prepared water and mix thoroughly. After mixing, add baking soda in a thin stream. After mixing all the components, you need to add 15-20 drops to the solution essential oil and mix the solution thoroughly again.
It is necessary to introduce soda into the solution carefully. Vinegar and soda are active substances and interact with each other. As a result of their connection, foam is actively released. The foaming process is accompanied by a hissing sound.
Air conditioner is added to the washing machine through the filler compartment. To fully load the machine, 100-150 ml of rinse aid is enough.
Option 4. With the addition of hair conditioner
To prepare this freshener, you will use water, vinegar and hair conditioner. The concentration of the components of the finished solution is: 6 parts water, 3 parts vinegar, 2 parts conditioner. All components must be thoroughly mixed together. You can add any aromatic liquid or oil to the prepared solution.
Air conditioner is added to the washing machine through the filler compartment. To fully load the machine, 100-150 ml of rinse aid is enough. You can store the prepared solution in an opaque container in a dark place.
Option 5. Plain vinegar
This method is used when there are no aromatic liquids, oils or other fillers. An ordinary vinegar solution serves as a conditioner.
Before rinsing, vinegar is poured into the washing machine tank through a special compartment. Given the high concentration of pure vinegar, it is recommended to pour it in small quantities. Approximately 50-100 grams for a full machine load. This volume will give softness to linen and clothes. In addition, vinegar will destroy bacteria and microorganisms.
Rinsing linens and clothes with pure vinegar preserves its smell after drying. Therefore, it is recommended to dry clothes and linen in a ventilated place, for example, outside.
Borax and soda conditioner
The smell of vinegar or its residue often causes discomfort. In this case, you can prepare a freshener without adding vinegar. The ingredients for the conditioner will be borax and soda. They will serve as a substitute for vinegar.
Option 1. Soda solution
For refreshment, use ordinary baking soda. 120-150 grams of soda is stirred in water until completely dissolved and poured into the washing machine tank. After this, things are scrolled in a soda solution.
Soda softens water due to its chemical properties and makes clothes and linen soft.
Option 2. Borax
Borax is a type of baking soda and can also replace vinegar fabric softener. 50-100 grams of borax must be stirred in water until completely dissolved and poured into the tank of the washing machine. After this, we scroll the things in the prepared solution. Borax makes the fabric soft. After drying, clothes and linens are easy to iron.
To remove stains from collars and sleeves, leave your clothes in the conditioner for half an hour before putting them in the washing machine. Problem areas can be moistened with vinegar.
A distinctive quality of borax is its ability to significantly soften hard water. To do this, before washing clothes, it is recommended to add 100 grams of borax diluted in water to the tank.
The chemical properties of borax make it possible not only to make clothes and linen soft, but also to achieve their maximum cleanliness. Borax solution fights well against mold and fungal growths, bacteria and small insects.
Baking soda and borax will help you safely make clothes and linens soft and save money. They can perfectly replace a vinegar rinse. Their chemical properties allow for additional cleaning of things and removal of difficult to remove stains.
A good conditioner can also be obtained by mixing softening hair shampoo and a small amount of ginseng oil. This will give things a special softness and a subtle pleasant aroma.
Conditioning with tennis balls
A significant part of the population associates tennis balls with sports game. Few people know that instead of fabric softener, you can use tennis balls to freshen clothes.
Their surface structure allows them to be used as an alternative to other rinses. The uniqueness of the method lies in the fact that electrification is removed from the surface of linen and clothing, the hardness of the fabric fibers is reduced and the fabric becomes much softer. This affects its subsequent drying and ironing. The material used to make the surface of the balls is rubber. It is an environmentally friendly product and does not harm clothes and linen.
The principle of air conditioning is quite simple. Place 3-5 tennis balls in a drum with washed laundry or clothes. The number of balls depends on the volume of the washing machine drum and the number of items inside it. After the balls are loaded, you need to turn on the washing machine. Constantly rolling, the balls hit the fabric fibers of things, making the clothes soft. The delicate surface of the balls protects clothes from damage. Sometimes rubber balls with bulges are used for conditioning. The result of such use may be partial damage to clothing or fabric ruptures.
Tennis balls can be used for conditioning delicate clothes without harming her.
Considering the above, it can be understood that tennis balls are effective means, which will make the linen soft and delicate. Their low cost is an important argument for replacing industrial rinses with them.
Knowing how to make a homemade mouthwash, you can start making it. Our own production will give the desired effect, and experience and time will tell you which air conditioner is more suitable for the family.
Very often, after washing, our laundry becomes hard and unpleasant to the touch. What can you do to enhance the effect of laundry detergents and get rid of tough fabrics and at the same time avoid using household chemicals?
The following will help us solve this problem:
- Table vinegar
- borax or borax
The Best Natural Fabric Softeners
Before we get into how to soften fabric in the wash, it should be noted that you will need to find the best product for your individual case. The thing is that there is no universal remedy, since the effect and result of using any means - both chemical and natural - directly depends on the chemical composition of the water. Therefore, we invite you to try, one by one, all the methods we offer to soften laundry when washing and find the most effective one for you.
1. Add 125 ml table vinegar (9%) to the rinse compartment of your washing machine.
Vinegar is the most versatile fabric softener. Not only does it help remove residues more effectively detergent from linen, but also refreshes the fabric, eliminates odors and, of course, softens it.
2. Add half a 250 ml glass of soda to the drum of your washing machine
Before loading laundry into the drum, pour the required amount of baking soda into it. Baking soda will enhance the effect of the washing powder and also soften your laundry.
Tip: Only use baking soda and vinegar if you are washing without bleach, otherwise an unwanted chemical reaction may form!
3. Baking soda and vinegar together
Add half a glass of soda to the drum as described above, pour 125 ml of vinegar into the conditioner compartment and get perfectly clean, soft laundry. An added bonus: no static electricity!
By the way, soda and vinegar can be used in washing in a different way:
Add a glass of soda and a glass of water to the container, then pour 6 glasses of vinegar there - there will be a violent chemical reaction, wait for it to finish and add another 6 glasses of water. If you want your homemade fabric softener to have a pleasant aroma, add 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil to the container. Pour the resulting mixture into an empty and clean bottle with a lid and add 125 ml of the product to the conditioner compartment before each wash.
4. Add half a 250 ml glass of borax (borax) to the washing powder compartment (along with the washing powder)
Borax softens hard water and enhances the effectiveness of your detergent. As a result, you get clean and fresh laundry, pleasant and soft to the touch. Borax (Borax) can be purchased at household chemical stores.
Fabric softener has become an integral part in household. It appeared relatively recently, but has already become firmly established in everyday life. Of course, some people think that it is not necessary to use conditioner when washing, since the clothes are already clean. Why spend extra money? But there are also housewives who simply cannot do without this product.
Let's figure out what a flavored additive really is - a luxury or a necessity? And how to make fabric softener with your own hands?
Why do you need fabric conditioner?
First, you need to figure out why you need fabric softener and whether it is needed at all. With all of my beneficial properties conditioner depends on surfactants that settle on the surface of clothes and linen, forming a film. It is she who gives a positive effect. Firstly, the fabric becomes softer and more pleasant to the body. Secondly, after washing, especially woolen fabrics, the clothes become “electrified”. The use of surfactants eliminates such an effect. Thirdly, the use of conditioner during washing makes ironing much easier, since under the influence of surfactants the fabric smoothes out on its own.
In addition, there are rinses that protect colored fabrics from washing out the color. And one more important point: the resulting film does not allow dirt to penetrate deep into the fabric, so we can talk about the dirt-repellent properties of the conditioner. And as a bonus, almost every conditioner gives clothes a certain aroma.
We hope that all of the above will convince you that using fabric softener is necessary if you want your clothes to feel fresh.
How to make fabric softener with your own hands? Features of preparation and composition
Making homemade fabric softener with your own hands is not difficult, and everything we need is at hand, or you can buy it at absolutely any nearby store. The composition of a home air conditioner is as follows:
- Regular baking soda - 125 ml.
- 9% table vinegar - 125 ml.
- Warm water (about 40 degrees) - 250 ml.
- Essential oils - 7 drops.
Now the cooking process itself:
- First, mix warm water and vinegar.
- Then add soda little by little to the solution. If you add the entire amount at once, then, of course, it will be effective, but it will no longer be suitable. Therefore, add soda gradually. By the way, it perfectly softens hard water, thereby making the laundry soft. Baking soda also kills unpleasant odors well.
- Pour the mixture into a container where you plan to store your homemade mouthwash, add essential oil and shake well.
Do-it-yourself baby fabric softener does not take long to prepare, but lasts a long time.
We are all accustomed to the fact that mouthwash has a thick consistency. If your homemade fabric softener turns out to be liquid, you can fix this situation with your own hands - just add a little of your One of the properties of conditioner is color preservation. So, to prevent your clothes from fading, add a capful of white vinegar when rinsing. And yet, homemade conditioner can be used as a solution for soaking stained laundry. Just apply a little product to the problem area and leave for half an hour, and then put it in the wash. Remember to shake the container where you store the fabric softener before each use. With your own hands you can create the scent that you like best. You just need to choose the appropriate essential oils.
How else can you use fabric conditioner?
We all know that rinse aid is used during washing. This will probably surprise you, but it can also be used for other purposes. Interesting? Then remember:
- The conditioner can be used to clean the glass so that there are no streaks left on it. To do this, just mix the rinse aid with water in equal proportions.
- The balm perfectly removes dirt from leather products, so don’t rush to pick up the soap.
- Do you want your laminate flooring to regain its original appearance? Wash it with a solution of conditioner and water.
- Are you renovating and the old wallpaper just doesn’t want to come off the wall? And this is where a conditioner balm can come to the rescue. Moisten the wallpaper with an aqueous solution, and after a while they will easily peel off the walls.
- If there is a stain on your car seat, simply wipe it with a sponge soaked in a solution of water and rinse aid.
Agree, how useful and necessary conditioner is for washing clothes! You can make it with your own hands in any quantities and subsequently use it for a variety of household needs.
During the washing process, many housewives use softener and fabric softener. With them, things acquire a pleasant smell and special softness; moreover, the scented additive facilitates the ironing process and protects printed fabrics from rapid color fading.
Why it's worth a try
If you look at the composition purchased product, you can see a whole list of chemical ingredients, for example:
- benzyl alcohol;
- linalool;
- ethanol;
- pental.
These substances function as aromatic fillers, but can be harmful to health and cause a number of diseases. Their effect on the fragile bodies of children and allergy sufferers can be too harmful. Headache, allergic reactions, apathy, nervous disorders - possible consequences washing clothes with store-bought conditioner.
In addition, making an environmental rinse with your own hands is more profitable than purchasing the product in a store. Big family, the presence of small children are the main reasons for frequent washing. Therefore, thrifty lovers of clean and fragrant things are inspired by the idea of how to make homemade fabric softener yourself. The advantages of a homemade mouthwash include:
- saving the family budget;
- creating your own scent;
- made from environmentally friendly components;
- absence of allergic reactions;
- long storage and more economical use;
- high-quality removal of contaminants;
- softening fabric fibers.
DIY fabric softener: 5 natural recipes
Even an inexperienced housewife can prepare fabric softener on her own. All components for it can be found at home or easily purchased at your nearest store. Homemade mouthwash has a long shelf life. It can be made immediately before use or, conversely, in advance and stored in an airtight container to save time in the future.
With vinegar and essential oil
Peculiarities. Edible vinegar is known as an inexpensive and harmless conditioner. It preserves the brightness of the colors of clothes, the softness of the fibers, and is suitable for woolen items. An effective softener has antibacterial properties and completely removes cleaning powder residues. In addition, towels washed with it begin to absorb moisture better.
What it consists of:
- vinegar - 250 ml;
- aromatic essential oil - a couple of drops.
Procedure
- Before rinsing your clothes, pour a cup of vinegar into the special compartment of your washing machine. If the laundry is colored or the load is incomplete, then half a cup is enough for rinsing.
- For an exciting aroma, add a couple of drops of ether, but you can do without it.
- After washing, hang the laundry on the balcony so that the acidic smell disappears faster.
You can choose any essential oils for the conditioner - be guided by your own tastes. Mint, lavender, orange, bergamot - now you can experiment and create a scent for your laundry yourself! Do not mix vinegar with bleach - toxic fumes can harm the mucous membrane.
From rock salt
Peculiarities. An easy to make, non-toxic, vinegar-free fabric softener. Salt conditioner not only preserves the brightness of colors on clothes, but also fixes them.
What it consists of:
- salt - four glasses;
- essential oil - 20 drops.
Procedure
- Pour four cups of salt into a separate container.
- Add your favorite ether, stir the mixture with a wooden spoon, break up all the lumps.
- Pour three tablespoons of salt softener into the machine compartment.
- Store in a cool place in an airtight, opaque container.
From soda and water
Peculiarities. This DIY natural fabric conditioner softens and refreshes your laundry. Baking soda is known for its cleansing properties and is considered a good help washing powder. Vinegar eliminates static on woolen items. The product will look like it has been treated with expensive luxury chemicals.
What it consists of:
- water - two glasses;
- table vinegar 9% - one glass;
- soda - one glass;
- essential oil - eight drops.
Procedure
- Dilute 150 g of vinegar in warm water.
- Add sodium bicarbonate to the mixture a little at a time; it will react with the vinegar and the rinse aid will hiss. Wait until the sizzling stops, stir well.
- Pour the product into an airtight container. For scent, add mint essential oil to the mixture, it will give things a fresh aroma. Shake.
- For a one-time rinse, 200-250 ml of homemade product is enough.
As an emollient, sodium bicarbonate can be used in in kind, diluting a little with water to dissolve the granules. You need to pour half a glass of baking soda into the washing machine compartment before rinsing.
With hair balm
Peculiarities. An affordable and most popular recipe among housewives, the reviews about it are only positive. But you need to take into account that a conditioner with the addition of a hair smoothing agent still cannot be called natural. Therefore, it is better not to use it for washing children's clothes.
What it consists of:
- cold water - six glasses;
- vinegar 9% - three glasses;
- hair balm - two glasses;
- essential oil - two or three drops.
Procedure
- Mix the ingredients, add essential oil. For example, roses or peach, they will give clothes a fruity and floral scent.
- Add half a glass of product to the special compartment of the automatic machine with each wash.
Hair balm can be added to any of the recipes if your home conditioner has lost its original consistency and you need to restore its thickness.
Borax based
Peculiarities. Fabric softener at home with borax restores the quality of products, they will be soft and silky. Rinsing with borax is suitable for country and old items, as it destroys dust mites, mold and mildew bacteria, and has deodorizing properties.
What it consists of:
- borax - 150 g;
- water - one glass.
Procedure
- Stir 150 g of borax into cold water until completely dissolved.
- Scroll through the items while adding the solution in the rinse mode.
An important feature of borax is its ability to soften hard water. Add half a glass of product to the tank of the automatic machine before washing. Difficult to remove stains are washed off much easier. Excess borax when washing can cause skin rashes, be careful.
Washing with tennis balls
Many mothers wonder how to make conditioner for washing children's clothes. Rubber is an environmentally friendly material that is suitable for washing children's clothes. This is an alternative to store-bought scented products. The surface of the clothing stops shocking, the fabric will become softer, and old pollution will disappear.
The number of balls directly depends on the capacity of the washing machine and the weight of the laundry inside it. Usually four pieces are enough for effective conditioning. Load them into the drum with washed items, turn it on.
The uniqueness of the method lies in the constant dynamics of the balls in the tank of the machine. As they roll, they fluff up the fibers of the fabric, making it softer. The delicate surface of the ball does not damage clothing upon impact.
How else can you use it?
Making homemade fabric softener for your washing machine is not at all difficult. Remember that homemade rinse can also be used to combat stains. Apply the mixture to the dirt, leave it on for a while, and then wash as usual. Interestingly, softener can be used in other ways in everyday life. The house will sparkle clean if you take note of these four recommendations.
- Windows and mirrors. A recipe for homemade clothes conditioner based on table vinegar and water - a streak-free cleaner for mirrors and glass. Mix the ingredients in equal proportions, then start cleaning.
- Walls, tiles and floors. Dilute 150 ml of vinegar in a liter of water, pour in two to four drops of essential oil. Cleaning with the mixture will prevent the formation of plaque on the tiles in the bathroom, and the laminate floor will look like it was just laid.
- Blockages in pipes. Pour a mixture of 100 g of soda, 100 ml of vinegar into the drain, leave for 20 minutes. Then pour in one liter of boiling water for complete cleaning. It's safe and natural remedy to save pipes.
- Disinfection of surfaces. Use a mixture of 9% vinegar with three to four drops of oil tea tree for treating countertops after cutting meat and fish. You can also wipe taps, door handles, and deodorize the toilet with the solution.
Do-it-yourself homemade fabric softener has the same properties as the products in advertising. It is not difficult to make, and all the necessary ingredients are available. But strictly follow all the proportions of the recipes so that the finished product meets all wishes and does not spoil the laundry. Exceeding the vinegar-based conditioner results in slight shrinkage of the products.