How do you make a fabric soft? (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a fabric soft? ›

Dilute fabric softener: Dilute a small amount of fabric softener in a cup or glass of water. Second rinse: Drop your clothes into clean water, and then move them to one side so you can add the fabric softener. Then stir your clothes in the water for a few minutes to help the fabric softener do its magic.

Baking soda softens the fabric. Instead of using a pure detergent, you may add baking soda when washing your fabric.

The Kitchen Concoction: Baking Soda & Vinegar

With a few items found in your kitchen pantry, you can mix up your own natural fabric softener. All you need is water, baking soda and vinegar, plus a few drops of essential oils if you'd like it scented. Stir until mixed and add in one-part vinegar (ex: one-half cup).

Air-dry or tumble-dry on a low setting. If you remove your fleece blanket from the dryer and it still isn't soft enough, try gently brushing the fibers to separate and fluff them further. Try washing and drying it three or four times. You could also soak in fabric softener inbetween washes.

Did you know that vinegar can be a great alternative to traditional fabric softeners? Not only is it more eco-friendly, but it can also be gentler on your clothes. Voila! Soft, fresh-smelling clothes without any harsh chemicals.

Our best overall pick is Downy Ultra Liquid Fabric Conditioner, which has a robust formula that offers seven different benefits (like wrinkle reduction, color protection, and freshness).

Because baking soda works to regulate pH levels, adding 1/2 cup to a load of laundry can soften fabrics naturally without the use of fabric softeners, which often contain fragrance.

Option 2: Dryer Balls

You could also use household objects like tennis balls or other rubber balls, as they would have the same effect on the clothes. This process is simple enough since the balls are just fluffing the clothes as they dry, making them feel softer to the touch.

Start by creating a mix of water and salt or water and vinegar in a large bucket. For one-quart water, you will need about 1/2 cup of salt or vinegar. "The salt and vinegar will open up the fibers," said Johnson. "The mixture will add volume to the cotton, much like adding volume to your hair.

What does apple cider vinegar do to fabric? ›

ACV laundry use #4: It makes fabrics whiter and brighter

The acids in the vinegar break down stains and lift any yellow tinges in the whites, and they also remove any dulling soap residue that makes fabrics appear dull or dingy.

Rinse-cycle softeners usually contain cationic surfactants of the quaternary ammonium type as the main active ingredient. Cationic surfactants adhere well to natural fibers (wool, cotton), but less so to synthetic fibers.

Vinegar is an effective natural fabric softener. The acetic acid in white distilled vinegar helps break down detergent residue that causes stiffness. Add 1⁄2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle for soft laundry. It provides a light, pleasant scent too.

Shuffle the cushions around and flip them periodically so they soften evenly. Lay the cushions on the floor. Put on a clean pair of socks and walk all over the surface of the cushions for a couple of minutes. Flip over the cushions and repeat walking on them.

For Softening and Freshening Fabrics

Because baking soda works to regulate pH levels, adding 1/2 cup to a load of laundry can soften fabrics naturally without the use of fabric softeners, which often contain fragrance.