According to The Spruce (USA), many fabric spices on the market today contain fragrances and synthetic emulsionants, which can irritate the skin or reduce the durability of fabric fibers if used for a long time. Therefore, many people have found natural, safe and environmentally friendly solutions to replace them.
One of the most effective ways is to use white vinegar. According to the recommendation of the American Chemical Society (ACS), vinegar has the ability to neutralize soap residue and soften fabric fibers thanks to its mild acidity. When washing clothes, just put about 100 ml of white vinegar in the final exhaust, the clothes will be naturally soft, also deodorize and keep color long-lasting.
In addition, baking soda (floating salt) is also an ingredient recommended by many home experts. According to the Good Housekeeping Institute (UK), baking soda helps balance the pH of the water, reduce fabric hardness and eliminate unpleasant odors. You can add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the rinse, stir well and rinse as usual.
If you want clothes with a natural fragrance, you can add a few drops of lavender, orange or lemon essential oil to the distillate. Many studies by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) have also shown that natural essential oils have mild antibacterial properties, helping clothes stay clean and fragrant longer.
Thus, with just the familiar ingredients in the kitchen, you can completely soften clothes without using fabric softener, saving costs and protecting the health of the whole family.
