May 11, 2016

Homemade Laundry Scent Booster




Today I am sharing the number one post ever from Dolly is Cooking posted in early 2013. A homemade laundry scent booster.  The number one post here of all time is 'Mama Dot's' Sour Cream Pound. It was a good decision to close the other website down and focus all topics on one website. I'd like to welcome friends new and old to this website and since you liked this product so much here it is today.





I used Dr. Teal's Epsom Soaking Solution Epsom Salt, Now Citrus food Grade Essential oils, and some Watkins Extract/Flavorings.  Flavorings you may ask?  Yes flavoring you cook with.

Do you see the Downy Un Stopables empty bottle above?  I'll save you some time it holds 2 cups of this large epsom salt mixture I'm using today.  If you use the more finely ground epsom salt it will hold 2 & 2/3 cups. Recycle your throw-away containers always and reuse when you can at home to save time and money.



I found these at Walmart.  Watkins is double strength so they smell and taste very good!  You don't have to worry about how safe they are in your laundry because they are.  Look at the great variety of extracts/flavors they have.  You mix and choose the scent you would love.




You can use one or the other or a combination of both the flavorings and essential oils as I do.  The first batch I made was with orange essential oils, butter and vanilla flavorings.  My goodness it would make you want to eat it. (But Don't Epsom Salt can be a laxative).  Therapeutic Essential oils work well with anything that touches the skin too.

The next batch I used the lavender essential oil since that is what most mixtures for laundry products contain.  It is extremely strong so use your own judgement.

There is an added plus to using this on occasion and that is that the epsom salt softens the laundry.

TIPS
Keep this in mind the essential oils are up to 4 times stronger than the flavorings.
Watkins because of it's double strength works really well in this mixture.
Over the course of two years I've had many to comment.  Some say their mixtures are too strong and other's say their's is too weak.  
It is your mixture so experiment, tweak your mixture to get the scent and strength you want. Simply adding more flavorings/oils will strengthen and adding less will have a lighter scent.  I find it isn't overpowering so work with it.


Directions

Place amount of Epsom Salt you wish to use in a bowl
Choose the Oils/Extracts you wish to use
Stir a little at a time to the Salt using a butter knife or whisk.
Put Scent Booster into closed container, label and store.

Use 1/8 - 1/3 cup for laundry into wash, then wash as usual.





In conclusion if you use a highly scented national brand laundry detergent and a highly scented fabric softener you will have to make this booster strong to come through in the end. I make my own laundry detergents without all of the chemicals and scents so it works great for me. 
My favorite fabric softener goes into the dryer and it is Wool Dryer Balls.  I happen to know a friend who grows her own sheep and makes her own and she sells them here MittenStateWool.comWebsite







8 comments:

  1. Think I'll try this, I'm now on a fixed income and need to save money. Did you get the epsom salt and Now products at Walmart as well?
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,
      Yes this product is like those scent boosters for added scent. My daughter loves those, so I decided to make my own. The essential oils I found on Amazon.com.
      I have several laundry detergent/soap mixtures if you would like to make any of those.
      Look up top for the Cleaning, tips & DIY for those mixtures.
      For a very inexpensive way to soften your laundry I suggest Wool Dryer Balls buy one time and use for Years! They really work. You don't have the scent but you have soft laundry and towels that are more absorbent. You can add essential oils to the ball to add some scent that works too!
      Link for these:
      Wool Dryer Balls Fabric Softener
      There is a link at the bottom for you to order those if you wish.

      Good to hear from you,
      Dolly of Hibiscus House

      Delete
  2. I just realized it said booster. So is this in addition to detergent?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes this is a scent booster like those name brands that are added to wash for scent. This one however adds softening to your wash.

      Delete
  3. I love the DIY home products! I prefer the chemical free way, as I have breathing issues! I am so going to make this and follow your page! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. How do you make your detergent?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,
      Go to this link and you can see the laundry cleaning products
      http://hibiscushouse1.blogspot.com/p/cleaning.html

      Delete