DIY Laundry Crystals: Fabric Softener Alternative

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Learn how to make DIY Laundry Crystals scented with essential oils to use as an affordable natural fabric softener alternative.

Are you looking for an affordable, natural fabric softener alternative? We'll show you how to make your own DIY Laundry Crystals using two simple ingredients.

You can make your own DIY Laundry Crystals with a lovely scent using two simple ingredients you may already have on hand. This combination works great as a natural fabric softener alternative and as a scent booster.

Epsom salts are essentially just salt, right? Salt is a great fabric softener and it has the added benefit of being a water softener too. We have extremely hard water where we live, so using these DIY laundry crystals is a huge benefit in getting our clothes cleaner and softer.

And I love that by making them myself, I can scent them however I like. Some of my favorites are lemon and peppermint, rosemary and spearmint or lavender and frankincense.

However, it’s not necessary to add essential oils if you really want to soften your laundry on a budget. The epsom salt alone with do the trick. The essential oils are really just for scent.

Best of all, you can literally make your own DIY Laundry Crystals in just two minutes.

And if you want to ditch your dryer sheets too, check out my DIY Felted Wool Dryer Balls tutorial too.

How to Make Laundry Crystals

Learn how to make your own laundry crystals with 2 ingredients to use as a fabric softener in this simple DIY cleaning recipe.
4.13 from 40 votes
Print (no photos)
Prep Time: 0 minutes
Active Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Makes: 1 Quart

Supplies

  • 3 cups Epsom Salts
  • 30 drops essential oils - of your choice

Tools

  • Quart sized mason jar
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spoon

Instructions

How to Make

  • In a medium sized mixing bowl, add the essential oils to the epsom salts and stir until the essential oils are evenly distributed in the epsom salt.
    Clear glass mixing bowl filled with Epsom salts and essential oils being mixed with a whisk
  • Transfer the mixture to a quart sized mason jar and store in your laundry room.
    DIY laundry crystals being transferred from the mixing bowl to a quart sized mason jar with a spoon on a wood table with essential oil bottles in the background

How to Use

  • Add 1 tablespoon of your homemade Laundry Crystals to each load of laundry to soften your fabrics.
    Close up of DIY laundry crystals in a quart sized mason jar on a dark brown table.

3 thoughts on “DIY Laundry Crystals: Fabric Softener Alternative”

  1. Do you add the crystals directly to the drum? I have a front load HE washer. I’m assuming that’s the best way???

    I’m excited to try this. I just started using DIY detergent, as well!

  2. Thank you so much for this tip!!!! I was using vinegar but this is a whole lot easier and quicker!!!! I do use the felt balls (made them myself) and when they become soft I just throw them in wash load then back in the dryer also hang my clothes out on the clothesline whenever possible.
    Yvonne

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