Make Your Own Fabric Refresher - How to Make Your Own Fabric Refresher

Brand-name fabric refreshers can cost more than $4 per bottle. If you need to freshen a lot of fabrics in your home on a regular basis, that can really add up. An easy, cost-effective alternative is to create your own custom-made fabric refresher sprays using a simple, practical ingredient you probably already have. Here's how to make your own fabric refresher at home:

Select a Sprayer

The first step to make your own fabric refresher at home is to have a spray bottle on hand. If you already have a bottle that was used for another purpose, thoroughly clean the insides with a bottle brush and warm, soapy water and rinse well.

It's important to choose a spray bottle that has a mist setting -- it's worth investing in a new one if the one you have now doesn't mist. (A small spray bottle can be purchased at most discount stores for just $1 to $2.)

The "Magic" Ingredient

The only other supply you need to make your own fabric refresher is a bottle of your favorite variety of liquid fabric softener.

If you are using an 8-ounce spray bottle, pour approximately one ounce of fabric softener into the bottle (you may find a small funnel helpful). You can use as much as two ounces of fabric softener, but it's better to start with the smaller amount and add more next time so you won't accidentally create a scent that you find overwhelming. (Knowing how to make your own fabric refresher won't save you money if you end up pouring it down the drain!)

Adjust the ratio of softener to the size of the bottle you are using (i.e., for a 12-ounce bottle, start with one-and-a-half ounces of softener).

Fill the rest of the bottle with water, but be sure to leave a little "wiggle room" at the top so you can shake up the bottle and mix the two ingredients together. Use warm water if possible, as it it mixes more easily with the fabric softener.

Usage and Tips

• It is very important to shake the bottle before every use to ensure the two liquids are thoroughly mixed.
• Always stand at least a foot to a foot-and-a-half away from the fabric you are spraying.
• Make sure the bottle is on the mist setting and use a sweeping motion if you are spraying more than once or twice. Too much fabric softener may be concentrated in one spot using a normal spray stream, which could cause discoloration or a bleached-out effect.
• If in doubt, test a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before use.
• You may wish to try an all-natural fabric softener variety, particularly if someone in your family is scent-sensitive or has allergies, or you simply want to use fewer chemicals in your home.
• Do not use any liquid sprays on fabric that is normally damaged by water such as suede.
• A high-quality fabric softener is less likely to leave any residue. Less expensive brands can leave a slightly oily residue behind, and decrease absorption of moisture-wicking fabrics like towels. (Which is why it's usually better to forgo using liquid fabric softener when you wash towels.)

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