How to Use Hair Conditioner as Fabric Softener: Homemade Fabric Softener Alternate

Flip that bottle of hair conditioner over – your shower staple pulls double duty to keep laundry snuggly soft and static-free for pennies! This comprehensive guide shares How to Use Hair Conditioner as Fabric Softener that saves money and skips harsh chemicals. It also includes Troubleshooting Hair Conditioner Fabric Softener Problems and 3 Hair Conditioner Fabric Softener Recipes for use to wash clothes.

Including:

• Advantages of using conditioner instead of fabric softener
• Simple DIY conditioner softener recipes
• Clever ways to use hair conditioner on laundry
• Troubleshooting common problems
• Tips to maximize softness and fragrance

So ditch the dryer sheets, uncap the conditioner, and transform a shower essential into your new secret laundry weapon!

Why Choose Hair Conditioner as a Homemade Fabric Softener?

Liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets from the store make clothes fluffy and reduce static. But it comes at a cost – literally and figuratively. Many commercial options contain fragrances, toxic chemicals, and oil residues that damage fabrics over time.

Conditioner tapped as a fabric softener skips sketchy ingredients. Hair conditioners already contain softening ingredients like oils, waxes, and extracts. Using conditioner as a base provides an extra moisturizing boost.

Other reasons to swap your shower conditioner bottle into the laundry room:

• Costs pennies – No specialty products are needed when you likely already have conditioner
• Customizable – Personalize with favorite hair product and essential oil scents
• Simple to make – Takes just minutes to mix up batches
• Gentle on fabrics – Less chemical residue than store-bought softeners
• Softens and freshens – Leaves laundry fluffy and static-free

Now that you know the benefits, let’s take a look at how to transform conditioner into a fabric-smoothing superstar!

Transforming Hair Conditioner into Homemade Fabric Softener

With just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes, you can whip up a batch of hair conditioner fabric softener. Follow these simple steps:

What You Need

• 2 cups hair conditioner – Shampoo works too but conditioner makes laundry extra soft.
• 2 cups hot water
• Essential oils (optional) – For scent. Good options include lavender, lemon, and peppermint.
• Spray bottle

Mixing the Homemade Fabric Softener

1. Add conditioner and hot water to the spray bottle. Shake well until fully blended. The mixture will look creamy.
2. Add several drops of essential oils if desired then shake again.
3. Label bottle then use as you would commercial fabric softener.

Now let’s dive into specific ways to work your hair conditioner magic on laundry.

How to Use Hair Conditioner as Fabric Softener

Integrating your homemade fabric softener into laundry day takes just small tweaks to your routine but makes a big difference in reducing static and softness.

Here are 3 easy ways to use hair conditioner or fabric softening:

During the Rinse Cycle

• Pour 1⁄4 cup directly into the drum during the rinse cycle.
• Finish the wash cycle as normal.

As a Dryer Sheet Substitute

• Soak cloth strips or reusable wool dryer balls in the conditioner mixture.
• Toss strips or balls into the dryer with wet laundry.
• Clothes get conditioned and softened during drying.

Lightly Spritz on Dry Laundry

• Gently spray conditioner mix onto clothing after drying to freshen and soften.
• Helps reduce static and wrinkles too.

Now that you know some easy ways to integrate your DIY softener into your laundry routine, let’s troubleshoot common issues that may pop up.

Troubleshooting Hair Conditioner Fabric Softener Problems

While using hair conditioner as laundry softener typically works wonderfully, a few minor issues can arise:

Issue: Laundry smells great initially but the fragrance disappears shortly after

• Solution: Essential oils fade faster than artificial fragrances. Simply respray clothing with a conditioner mixture whenever the scent fades.

Issue: Vinegar leave-in rinse leaves a lingering sour smell

• Solution: Up the essential oil fragrance in the conditioner mix to overpower vinegar. Or switch to white vinegar.

Issue: Residue makes fabric attract dirt faster

• Solution: Clarifying conditioners are low-residue options. Or rinse twice after using heavy conditioners.

Now that you know how to troubleshoot, let’s explore some favorite conditioner fabric softener recipes!

3 Hair Conditioner Fabric Softener Recipes

Once you nail down the basic recipe, get creative with different conditioner brands and signature scent blends.

Lavender Vanilla Fabric Softener

• 2 cups Suave Daily Clarifying Conditioner
• 2 cups water
• 15 drops vanilla essential oils
• 15 drops of lavender essential oil

Island Breeze Fabric Softener

• 2 cups Aveeno Conditioner
• 2 cups water
• 15 drops of lime essential oil
• 8 drops of coconut essential oil

Rose Garden Fabric Softener

• 2 cups Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures Conditioner
• 2 cups water *15 drops rose essential oil

Now it’s your turn! Try out different conditioner and essential oil combos until you discover your custom softening scent.

Conditioner Fabric Softener Summary – Key Takeaways

• Save money by making DIY fabric softener from hair conditioner likely sitting in your shower already
• Just mix conditioner, water, and optional essential oils
• Use in the rinse cycle, with dryer balls, or as a spritz on dry laundry
• Troubleshoot residue, scent, or stiffness issues easily
• Customize recipes with your favorite conditioner and oils

Conclusion & Next Steps

Thanks for learning an easy way to save money, skip chemicals, and keep laundry snuggly soft with conditioner fabric softener!

We covered everything from crafting custom recipes to troubleshooting issues to several application techniques. Now that you’re armed with tips and inspiration, what conditioner will you try first?

Let us know what creative combos worked best for you! Which conditioner makes the fluffiest laundry? What’s your signature scent?

Frequently Asked Questions About Conditioner Fabric Softener

Still, have some questions? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:

What’s the difference between using a hair conditioner and a fabric conditioner as a softener?

Hair conditioners work the same as fabric conditioners to soften, reduce static, and add fresh fragrance to laundry. Both already contain softening ingredients. A hair conditioner is simply more affordable since you likely already have it.

Where is the best place to add hair conditioner in the wash cycle?

The best time to add your hair conditioner mixture is during the rinse or final spin cycle so the conditioner can spread evenly and soak into the fabrics. Adding it too early can cause excess suds.

Is hair conditioner fabric softener safe for all fabric types?

Conditioner fabric softener works beautifully to soften most fabrics and reduce static in items like sheets, towels, t-shirts, and more. However, the oils can leave residue on very delicate fabrics like silk, wool, and rayon. Test in a small hidden area first.

How long does homemade fabric softener last?

Homemade fabric softeners have a shelf life of around 4-6 weeks when stored in an airtight container out of sunlight and extreme temperatures. The natural ingredients eventually degrade. Just whip up fresh batches monthly!

Final Thoughts

Thanks for learning about this budget-friendly hack for keeping laundry soft, conditioned, and static-free using an item likely already in your shower!

We hope these hair conditioner tips help you save money, skip chemicals, and discover the joy of customized fabric softener scents.

Remember to:

• Make simple DIY conditioner fabric softener
• Use as a rinse, dryer sheet swap, or laundry spritz
• Troubleshoot any issues
• Experiment with signature scent combos

Now over to you! Which conditioner will you try first? Let us know what fragrance mixtures you create and how this works for your laundry.