I'm renovating a lifestyle and thought I'd post here.
How to save some money and change the way you buy.
First, Liquid Fabric softener.
Vinegar is the easiest solution, adding drops of essential oil for fragrance is optional.
Using essential oil means your clothes can smell as you want them to! If your family only has a bath before bed, then adding soothing Lavender for your towels, makes sense. If your family is the get up and go type, perhaps mint is more refreshing. Maybe its the smell of Lemon that makes you feel clean. Bergamot for men, or perhaps Vanilla is your fave.
I've seen a recipe that uses both Baking soda and vinegar. after they're carefully mixed (they will bubble, of course), add your essential oil for scent, then mix before using, as the baking soda will settle on the bottom. We have hard water, so I like this idea.
The last recipes I saw used Hair conditioner with the vinegar and baking soda, but I think that's too many chemicals for my comfort. Most hair conditioners, use oils that I wouldn't want staining my clothes.
I've never been huge on liquid fabric softener, myself. I prefer a dryer sheet. So I looked up those recipes too.
The absolute easiest, is to take a hand towel, or pieces of cotton, soak it in your liquid fabric softener recipe, wring and dry before using.
I don't know why it needs to be dry when its going in with wet laundry anyways. Maybe using a few drops on a washcloth before tossing it in the load would work too. I need to try this. I know a spray bottle won't work as the vinegar will stop the mechanisms from working.
If you just want to scent your clothing, you can simply add a few drops of essential oil to a cloth and toss in the dryer.