Rethinking fabric care: Sponges and homemade solutions save money
There's nothing more soothing than the scent of freshly washed laundry. Marketing teams are well aware of this and use various strategies to promote scented capsules and laundry perfumes. However, the truth is, these additives aren't really necessary for us.
Our homes are stocked with different cleaning agents, such as laundry detergents and softeners, window sprays, and toilet gels. It seems our list of chemical product purchases is endless, resulting in us spending hundreds of dollars each year on them. This is due to effective marketing, which convinces us of the need to have a multitude of chemicals, even though most are based on similar ingredients.
In many cases, these products can be replaced with homemade cleaning solutions. However, manufacturers want us to buy their detergents in large quantities and use them frequently to boost their profits. There are ways around this—such as a technique using a sponge. If you're wondering what can replace fabric softener, you'll find the answer later in the article—it's a clever trick!
The sponge trick - a simple way to save on laundry
A few years ago, powder detergents contained strong substances that, although effective at removing dirt, left fabrics stiff and unpleasant to the touch. In response, liquid detergents were introduced to soften materials and give them a pleasant scent. This was a significant advancement at the time.
Nowadays, using fabric softener seems unnecessary. Modern powders and laundry detergents already contain softening and aromatic ingredients. Thus, fabric softener becomes an unnecessary expense unless we find a more economical use for it.
How to do it? Simply cut a sponge into small pieces and soak them in fabric softener. Toss these prepared pieces into the washing machine with the dirty laundry, and start the machine. During the wash cycle, the sponge will release the right amount of detergent, making your clothes smell delightful while using less product.
How to make homemade fabric softener?
Fabric softener can cause allergies, a challenge for those with sensitivities. Fortunately, there's an alternative: homemade fabric softener based on natural ingredients. To make it, you'll need water, citric acid, and your favourite essential oil. Simply dissolve the citric acid in warm water and add 20-30 drops of the oil. The citric acid will gently soften fabrics while the essential oil provides a pleasant scent.
