You might have your favorite brand. You may even make your own. It makes your favorite shirt even softer and your sheets smell amazing. But did you know you can use fabric softener for more than just laundry? Check out these creative, convenient, alternative ways to use this household staple.
Help Floors Shine
Dull vinyl or linoleum floors are a dud. After sweeping and mopping as you normally would, mop with a cup of white vinegar in a gallon of warm water. Then, give it a final once-over with a fabric softener/water mixture for a glowing finish. This method is not recommended for hardwood floors.
Eliminate Burned-On Food
Scorched pans can be a pain to get clean. The next time you find yourself trying to scrub away burnt food remnants, try this approach from One Good Thing instead. Fill the pan with water and bring it to a boil. Add a tablespoon of fabric softener, let it soak overnight and wash it away the next day.
Eradicate Scum
A water-stained glass shower door looks grungy. According to Tipnut, you can loosen soap scum by washing the glass with a half cup of fabric softener mixed with about a cup of warm water. When you rinse off the mixture, the soap scum will rinse away, too.
Pick Up Pet Hair
Having a dog or cat can make you happier and even healthier. However, having animal hair all over your home is not quite as awesome. Try spraying fur-covered areas with a mixture of fabric softener and water, according to Tips.net. Once it’s dry, you should be able to brush or vacuum the hair away.
Remove Car Sticker Residue
Equal parts water and fabric softener can loosen the adhesive left by stickers on car windows and other glass surfaces. Start by peeling or scraping off the sticker as best you can. Soak it with soapy water before spraying on a mixture of fabric softener and hot water.
Soften Carpet
Whether your carpet is brand new or well-used, it can feel stiffer than you would like. The Dollar Stretcher recommends mixing hot water and fabric softener and using it as the solution for a steam carpet cleaner. Rinse and extract well to remove as much of the solution as possible and enjoy soft, fresh-smelling floors.
Detangle Doll Hair
If Barbie or Baby Alive’s locks are looking rough, blogger Ashley Hackshaw says fabric softener can help. Soak the doll’s hair in equal parts water and fabric softener. Brush out tangles and rinse with vinegar and water.
Wash Woodwork
If you have wood-paneled walls, baseboards or other surfaces, it can be tough to keep them clean. Try washing them down with fabric softener. It can remove grime without damaging the finish — and it will make the room smell fantastic.
Make Homemade Febreze
Freshen up linens, drapes or furnishings with the scent of your favorite fabric softener. Add a little baking soda and some softener to a spray bottle. Fill the container with water, shake it up and spritz away. Find the complete recipe here from Spend with Pennies.
Ward Off Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying, they can carry deadly diseases, as well. Switching up the measurements of the DIY fabric freshener above can transform some fabric softener, baking soda and water into mosquito repellent with a soft, clean scent.
Have you found any creative ways to use fabric softener?