Since we are working on the laundry room this month for The Household Organization Diet, I thought that I would talk about some laundry green cleaning tips this week. When I first started looking into more green cleaning methods, one of the first things that I got rid of was dryer sheets. These are one of the worst chemical culprits as far as cleaning products go {especially since they are heated up} so I thought that they would be a good place to start.
While I did miss the scent initially, I have now found a few other ways to give my laundry that nice, fresh scent. It’s not quite the same “in-your face” scent that the dryer sheets gave, but I have come to actually like this better, and find that the strong fabric sheet and fabric softener scent that I once really liked now smells really harsh. One of the things that I use is this DIY laundry scent boost – I especially like lavender and various citrus essential oils – in our wash. For a slightly stronger scent, you can also layer it with some essential oils on wool dryer balls when the laundry is placed in the dryer.
DIY Laundry Scent Booster
Ingredients
- 2 cups Epsom salts {these can be purchased very inexpensively at Walmart, pharmacies, or online}
- approximately 30 drops essential oils of your choice {you can read more about what oils work best for cleaning HERE} You can always add more if you like a stronger scent
To Do
- Place Epsom salts in a mixing bowl.
- Add in the essential oils and mix.
- Place in a mason jar or other container with an airtight seal.
- Place approximately 1/4 cup directly into washing machine before adding clothes. I generally just use this for linens and towels but it can be used for whatever you would like!
If you like the scent boost, but don’t want to make your own, Mrs. Meyers also makes a good lemon verbena one that I really like. For a little cost savings, you can even try combining the Mrs. Meyers with a DIY version to stretch it out as the DIY recipe is about 1/3rd of the cost.
I’l be sharing some other ways to get fresh smelling laundry a little later in the weeks. If you have any tips {or problems that you have!}, let me know and I will share in the next post!
This is a great suggestion, thank you!
I really do like scented sheets…. (don’t tell the clothesline police)
I found you today through Chicken Chick’s bloghop – i hope you’ll visit my place & leave a message so that I know you’ve stopped by. 🙂
lol! I’ll keep your secret! 😉
This is the first I’ve heard of this great idea! I have both these items on hand. Will be pinning to make later! Thanks for sharing at the Family Joy Linkup!
This is exactly what I need! I’ve been wanting to go more green with my laundry, but I knew I would miss the scents. Thanks so much for sharing! Can’t wait to try this!
Hope you like it! When I switched over I missed the strong scents for a little while but now that I haven’t been using them for a while I find them way too overpowering if I come across them at friends’ places. Funny how that works!
Do you still use commercial soap? If the answer is yes, is there a greener soap?
I do use commercial soap. There are actually quite a few brands of “greener” laundry detergent available. My favorites are Norwex, Seventh Generation, and Honest Company. The Norwex and Seventh Generation are powder and I get the no scent (there may be a liquid Seventh Generation but I haven’t used it) and I use the Honest Company if I want a liquid.
I love the scent of line-dried clothing, but sometimes you want a little something extra for cloth napkins or frilly shirts. The first time I made laundry scent booster I don’t think I added enough EO, but the next batch I bumped it up and I love the results. Thanks for sharing this awesome post! (Stopping by from This is How We Roll Link Party)
~Taylor-Made Homestead~
Texas
I rarely get a chance to line dry anything – we have so much rain around here – but I love the scent too. I find I add different amounts of EO depending on what scent I’m using. Some just seem to be inherently stronger smelling than others.
I love this recipe!! It will go perfectly with our homemade laundry detergent!! I pinned and shared it!:)
Thanks for sharing! I keep meaning to try some DIY laundry detergent – I just need to get around to it!
HI! I love this idea and want to try it. I’ve tried adding the oils to my rinse cycle. But this seems more effective. I just need to decide on an essential oil mix that I like! That is the hard part.
I always like switching my essential oils up as I seem to notice them more if I’m not always using the same scent. Part of the fun! 😉
Clever idea! Thanks for sharing this over at #HomeMattersParty
Thanks for hosting! 🙂
Love this idea, I have long given up dryer sheets mainly because they are so hard on the dryer drum. Has anyone used this in a front-end load washer? Thank you if anyone could provide feedback and any issues.
We have a front load washer and it works fine. You can use it for both a top loader or front loader. 🙂
I just bought a new washer/dryer. It is the HG ( you know the one where you have to buy a certain laundry detergent). Is this safe for this type of washer? I also read where you can dissolve this in a spray bottle and use it for room spray…just a thought.
Yes we have an HE washer too (I’m assuming that’s what you meant} and it’s fine to use. Great idea for the room spray – I will have try that!
Hi Jen!
New to your blog visited from Stone Gable “THE SCOOP”….love this idea! will be back!
Lois
Thanks Lois! Glad you were able to drop in! I love Stone Gable. 🙂
Great tips. I’ll need it for my new washer. Thanks so much for sharing!
I will share this with my sister. She is a family maid. She can clean the house at one day. She looks superwoman. She also likes DIY something interest. So maybe she will like that.
Love this idea! My daughter (grown) and I are going to make up Mason jars to give as gifts for Christmas, along with the “recipe” on a card! I know they will be a hit!
Such a cute idea!!
Great idea but this doesn’t work. There was a scent when i took the clothes out of washer, but after they were dried, absolutely nothing.
It’s definitely not as strong as the chemical scent boosters but I still notice a light, fresh scent on our laundry. It helps if you let the essential oils infuse in the epsom salts for an extended period of time before using. You can also use the same essential oil on a dryer ball to layer on the scent if you want something stronger.
I’m wondering if anyone has tried this with the pre-scented epsom salts. There is a eucalyptus one that smells amazing by Teal’s that seems like it would be perfect!
It does still work with pre-scented epsom salts too! Just note that the scent is much lighter than if you use the chemical laundry scents. Personally I prefer the lighter scent anyways!
Hi I have made this and it works brilliantly however it had dried solid in the glass jar we are using to store it?
It probably ended up getting some moisture into it as I haven’t had any issues with that even after long periods. I would think it would still break up easily with taking a regular kitchen knife to it? I would give that a try as it should still work.