However, there are some major drawbacks to them.

Read on to learn how.

By stripping away the residue, clothes feel softer to the touch.

Closeup of pouring DIY fabric softener into the washer dispenser

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

This is the same basic science behind commercial fabric softeners.

you’ve got the option to make your own that can be reused again and again.

Materials needed to make a DIY fabric softener

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Using distilled white vinegar as fabric softener

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Gathering supplies to make fabric softener with hair conditioner

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Measuring out and combining ingredients to make fabric softener

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Pouring DIY fabric softener into the washer

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Adding ingredients to a container with a sealable lid

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Soaking cotton squares in the solution

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Using DIY fabric softener sheets to the dryer

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Winding up yard to make dryer balls

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Placing the cores into socks before shrinking

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Shrinking the dryer balls in boiling water

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Placing the homemade dryer balls into the dryer

The Spruce / Sarah Lee