Homemade laundry softener and scent booster is non-toxic, helps remove unpleasant odors and softens laundry all at once! Replace conventional laundry boosters with this natural and inexpensive alternative!
**UPDATED JANUARY 12, 2024**
When my kids were born, I decided to switch to unscented conventional laundry detergent because unlike some, I do not enjoy the scent of Dreft, and I didn’t want to use scented products on their clothes. Fast forward a few years to when I started on my journey to living a less toxic life. One of the first things I did was make the switch to homemade laundry detergent. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that I didn’t notice much of a difference in my clothes after switching, which was amazing! However, some laundry, especially our towels, had a bit of a funky odor from time to time. I found that those who use homemade or natural laundry detergent also use homemade laundry softener and scent booster, so I thought I’d give it a try!
Homemade laundry softener and scent booster smells amazing, is easy and inexpensive to make, softens laundry and offers a subtle fresh scent to clothes. I love this recipe because it can be doubled or tripled easily and costs next to nothing to make! I like to use this mostly on my towels and sheets, but sometimes I’ll add it to our clothes too!
PIN FOR LATER!
REASONS TO USE A LAUNDRY SOFTENER AND SCENT BOOSTER
Conventional laundry scent boosters and softeners are full of toxic chemicals and synthetic fragrances that can be harmful to your body so I try my best to avoid those kinds of products for the health of me and my family. Additionally, traditional fabric softeners and boosters can cause clothes to be more flammable, they weaken fabric fibers over time and can clog your washer and dryer. Here’s a great article if you want to learn more. With that information, I love using natural alternatives to boost my laundry instead!
This homemade laundry softener and scent booster uses natural ingredients and essential oils to help neutralize odors and soften your laundry all at the same time. All you need are 3 simple ingredients: epsom salt, baking soda and your favorite essential oils. I pair this with my homemade laundry detergent to get soft, clean and fresh smelling laundry every time!
HOW TO MAKE LAUNDRY SOFTENER AND SCENT BOOSTER
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Tools You May Need
- 1 quart size mason jar or other glass jar, preferably with a lid
- Measuring cups
- Mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cup epsom salt: The salt in this recipe helps to soften your laundry and absorbs the essential oils, which allows the scent to penetrate into the clothing better!
- 1/3 cup baking soda: Baking soda helps to remove odors from laundry and acts as a natural fabric softener as well.
- 25-30 drops of your favorite essential oils
Steps to Make Laundry Softener and Scent Booster
In a mixing bowl or directly in a glass jar, add epsom salt (or rock salt), baking soda and the essential oils of your choice and mix thoroughly.
Store in an airtight container (for up to a year).
Use anywhere from 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup in loads of laundry that are little more stinky. You don’t need to use this every time, but you can choose to do so!
NOTES
- Epsom salt can cause water to become harder and make clothes scratchy. I have not had this experience, but some may. You can use rock salt or kosher salt in place of the epsom salt if this happens to you.
- Keep your homemade laundry scent booster in an airtight glass container to make it last. The shelf life is about a year, but I always use mine up well before.
- Double or triple this recipe so you don’t have to make it as often!
- Use quality essential oils. It’s important to do your research and use oils that you feel comfortable using and that come from a reputable source.
- Pick scents that you enjoy. I really like the uplifting scents of citrus, but you can use whatever scents you enjoy the most!
Homemade Laundry Softener and Scent Booster
Homemade laundry softener and scent booster helps remove unpleasant smells from your laundry and gives it a nice, subtle scent! Replace conventional laundry scent boosters with this toxin-free and inexpensive alternative!
Materials
- 1 1/3 cup epsom salt
- 1/3 cup baking soda
- 25-30 drops of your favorite essential oils
Tools
- 1 quart size mason jar or other glass jar, preferably with a lid
- Measuring cups
- Mixing spoon
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl or directly in a glass jar, add epsom salt (or rock salt), baking soda and the essential oils of your choice and mix thoroughly.
- Store in an airtight container (for up to a year).
- Use anywhere from 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup in loads of laundry that are little more stinky. You don't need to use this every time, but you can choose to do so!
Notes
Epsom salt can cause water to become harder and make clothes scratchy. I have not had this experience, but some may. You can use rock salt or kosher salt in place of the epsom salt if this happens to you.
Keep your homemade laundry scent booster in an airtight glass container to make it last. The shelf life is about a year, but I always use mine up well before.
Double or triple this recipe so you don't have to make it as often!
Use quality essential oils. It's important to do your research and use oils that you feel comfortable using and that come from a reputable source.
Pick scents that you enjoy. I really like the uplifting scents of citrus, but you can use whatever scents you enjoy the most!
CHECK OUT MORE OF MY NATURAL DIY’S
Looking for more natural DIY recipes like this non-toxic homemade laundry scent booster? Check these out:
- How to Switch to an All Natural Laundry Routine
- How to Make a Homemade Air Freshener
- Natural All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
Did you make this non-toxic homemade laundry softener and scent booster? If you did, I’d really appreciate if you came back and gave them a five star rating! Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation!
I was just thinking how good something like this would be when I did the washing this morning!! I will definitely be trying this out. thank you!
Marnie xx
Thank you, I hope you enjoy it!
Saving for later! I love green cleaning recipes!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy if you try it!
What a great idea! Can’t wait to make some and add it to our laundry. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
I heard that it can make your water harder so why would I use it in my High efficiency washer? Is there a way to use it without the epsom salt?
I’ve heard that too, that’s why I have in the notes of the recipe to use rock salt or kosher salt in place of the epsom salt if that’s a concern for you. I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Kosher salt won’t hurt my HE machine?
While I have not tested this recipe in an HE washer, all of the research I have done shows that it’s okay to use kosher or rock salt in an HE washer. So I would replace the epsom salt with the other types of salt in a 1:1 ration. Obviously use at your own discretion. Hope that helps!
I made this and over the next few weeks it was rock hard i couldnt get it out of my container! Is there a way to prevent this?
I’m sorry to hear that, I’ve never had that issue with this recipe. I imagine moisture got into the container one way or the other and caused this to happen. I would recommend keeping it in a cool dry place and if that’s not possible I’ve read that people put silicon packets in theirs or a saltine cracker to help absorb any moisture. I hope that helps.
Silica packets that come in shoes or purses might help absorb moisture and prevent clumping, according to other Pinterest posts I’ve read.
Do you add this in the fabric softener dispenser?
I add this to the drum of my washer, along with my laundry detergent, prior to adding the clothes. Then I wash as normal!
If you use the baking soda to remove odor from the clothes, wouldn’t it remove the odor from the essential oils too?
That’s a great point. I find the essential oils give the scent booster a nice scent, but if you’re looking for a stronger scent for your clothes, you can try adding essential oils to wool dryer balls.