Fabric Softener

GREEN CLEANING RECIPE

Laundry can sometimes feel stiff or rough, even when it's clean. This is often caused by a build-up of detergent residue, soap residue or minerals from hard water.

✔️ Front & top loaders
✔️ Septic safe

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The Recipe

Ingredient(s)

  • Citric acid
    1 tablespoon (13g)
  • Essential oils (optional)
    2-3 drops per load

What to do

  1. Add the citric acid (and essential oils if using them) to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine, or directly to the rinse cycle as it will dissolve in the rinse water.

Good to know

Do's & Don'ts

This method is suitable for most everyday laundry that can be done in a washing machine. It may not be suitable on pure wool or delicates, so use with care on those items.

Don't mix with laundry powder.
Citric acid is acidic while washing soda and sodium percarbonate are alkaline, so combining them neutralises both and wastes the effectiveness of each. Use this in the rinse, not the wash.

Storage

Store in a labelled airtight container away from direct sunlight. Although citric acid can be food grade, keep away from children and pets — especially when essential oils are used.

Vinegar option

Vinegar is another great option for laundry rinse, however you usually require more. Most recipes call for between 1/2 to 1 cup, which means more storage and more product.

Why this works

This simple fabric softener uses citric acid and works by:

  • Neutralising alkaline soap or detergent residue
  • Helping dissolve hard water minerals
  • Allowing fibres to relax and rinse clean

You can also choose your own fragrance using essential oils — citric acid is great at dispersing them through the wash.

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