Adding Fragrance To Homemade Laundry Soap: Easy, Quick Methods

Adding fragrance to homemade laundry soap is a great way to make your clothes smell fresh and clean. However, it can be frustrating when the scent disappears after just a few weeks. In this article, we will explore some simple tricks to add fragrance to your soap so that the scent lasts longer. We will also discuss the materials you will need and provide step-by-step instructions on how to add fragrance to your homemade laundry soap.

Using fragrance oils

Adding fragrance to homemade laundry soap can be a little tricky, but it's definitely possible. One option is to use fragrance oils, which are non-volatile and so can help the scent last longer. Here are some tips for using fragrance oils:

Firstly, it's important to note that the amount of fragrance oil you use will depend on several factors, such as the type of oil, the manufacturer, and the purpose of your soap. As a general rule, most manufacturers use around 1% essential oil (1g oil to 100g of liquid soap base), but you may need to increase this to 1.5% for a stronger scent.

When adding fragrance oil to liquid soap, it's important to follow the proper steps to ensure the oil is evenly distributed. Simply adding drops of oil to your laundry soap may not be enough to create a lasting fragrance. One method is to mix the fragrance oil with vinegar and add it to the conditioner drawer of your washing machine. This will not only scent your laundry but also leave your clothes feeling soft.

Another option is to add a few drops of fragrance oil to a washcloth and run it through the dryer cycle with your laundry. This can be a simple and effective way to scent your clothes, but be careful not to get oil stains on your favourite garments. To avoid this, make sure the fragrance oil is completely dissolved in water before use. You can do this by mixing it with water at room temperature and letting it set for an hour to see if the oil rises to the top. If it does, add an emulsifier like polysorbate 20 or 80 to help the oil dissolve.

Finally, if you're looking for a more natural option, you can try using essential oils instead of fragrance oils. However, keep in mind that essential oils are more volatile and may not last as long. Lavender essential oil is a popular choice, and you can add a few drops to unscented dryer sheets or wool dryer balls to scent your laundry.

Adding fabric softener

To make your own fabric softener, combine water, vinegar, and vegetable glycerin in a mason jar. Stir well, then add essential oils to the mixture. Secure the top and shake well. If you don't have a separate compartment for fabric softener in your washing machine, add 1/4 cup of the mixture to the last rinse cycle. This recipe will keep for at least 2-4 weeks when stored in an airtight container.

Alternatively, you can add essential oils directly to your laundry soap. First, chop up your bar of soap into quarter-size pieces and place them into a food processor, along with washing soda and borax. Pulse until you get a fine powder, then add your essential oils and pulse a few more times. Use one tablespoon per load, adding it to the bottom of your washing machine before your clothing.

Fabric softener can help eliminate static and wrinkles, soften your clothes, and add a beautiful scent. It's also much safer and more sustainable than store-bought fabric softeners, which can be toxic and full of chemicals.

Using grapefruit soap

If you want to add fragrance to your homemade laundry soap, you can use essential oils. However, be aware that some fragrances, especially citrus-based ones, tend to fade away quickly.

To add fragrance to your soap, wrap the bar loosely in paper. Place the soap in the jar sideways, ensuring that it doesn't touch the bottom, so that you can access all of its sides. Add a few drops of your chosen scent to each side of the paper. The scent doesn't need to touch the soap, so don't saturate the paper.

You can use this method to add fragrance to grapefruit soap. Grapefruit has a fresh, citrus scent that is perfect for soap. However, be aware that the scent may fade over time, so you may need to reapply it.

Wrapping soap in paper

To add fragrance to homemade laundry soap, you can wrap the soap loosely in paper. Place the soap in a jar sideways, ensuring it doesn't sit on the bottom so that you can access all sides. Add a few drops of your chosen scent to each side of the paper, but be careful not to saturate it. The scent doesn't need to touch the soap. This simple trick works with any soap, and you can do more than one bar at a time as long as they fit in the jar.

Using skin-safe oils

When making your own laundry soap, you can use essential oils to add fragrance. It's important to make sure you are buying your essential oils from a reputable source, as not all essential oils are the same and hold the same safety values and concentration.

To make your own laundry soap, you'll need to grate a bar of unscented castile soap into fine particles. You can use a hand grater or a food processor. Then, add 5 cups of water to a large pot on low heat and stir in the grated soap until well combined.

Once the soap has dissolved, remove from the heat and add in your chosen essential oils. You can add 40 drops of essential oil to each jar of laundry soap. Stir well, then add enough cool water to fill the container.

Let your laundry detergent thicken overnight. You can store it in an airtight glass jar and use 1-2 tablespoons per load.

Frequently asked questions