DIY Laundry Helpers That Beat Store-Bought Add-Ins
Walk down the laundry aisle and it starts to feel like you need a minor in chemistry just to wash a towel. Brighteners, boosters, softeners, deodorizers… all promising better results if you just add one more scoop, capful, or pod. Here’s the good news: you don’t need most of it. Over time, I’ve found that a handful of simple, inexpensive ingredients can handle nearly every laundry challenge just as well… often better. They’re easy to use, cost very little, and don’t leave behind mystery residue or crowd your shelves.
If you’ve ever tossed one more “helper” into the wash hoping for better results, you’re not alone. The average household spends around $170 a year on laundry supplies, and that doesn’t even include the cost of water and electricity. It adds up quietly. One bottle here, a box there… until your laundry routine starts costing more than it should.
The surprising part? Most of those extra products are solving problems that can be handled with simpler, less expensive basics. Once you understand what actually works (and why), you can cut back without sacrificing clean, fresh clothes. In many cases, you’ll end up with better results and a routine that feels a whole lot easier to keep up with.
Skip the Fabric Softener (Try This Instead)
Fabric softener sounds helpful until you realize what it leaves behind. That “soft” feeling comes from a coating that builds up over time. Towels become less absorbent, workout clothes stop breathing properly, and whites can start looking dull.
A simpler fix? White vinegar.
Add about 1/2 cup to the rinse cycle. It naturally softens fabrics and helps rinse away leftover detergent that causes stiffness. Don’t worry about the smell. It disappears completely once everything dries.
Why it matters: Softer towels that actually absorb water and clothes that feel clean instead of coated.
DIY Scent Boosters (Without the Overpowering Perfume)
Those colorful scent booster beads promise “freshness for weeks,” like a balmy breeze that wandered through a perfume counter. Impressive… but sometimes a bit much. If you prefer a lighter, cleaner scent, you can make your own in minutes:
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- 10–15 drops essential oil
Mix and store in a small jar. Add 1/4 cup per load.
You’ll get a subtle fragrance without the heavy artificial scent or the extra cost.
Why it matters: You control the scent level instead of your laundry announcing itself from across the room.
Brighter Whites Without the Fancy Add-Ins
Another popular laundry product promises brighter whites and “revived” dingy fabrics. The secret behind most of them? Oxygen-based bleach.
You can get the same effect by adding a scoop of washing soda or oxygen cleaner to your wash when needed. Washing soda also boosts your detergent’s performance, helping lift stubborn dirt and odors. It’s especially helpful for kitchen towels, work clothes, and anything that’s had a long day.
Why it matters: Brighter, cleaner fabrics without paying extra for repackaged ingredients.
A Better Way to Handle Stains
The laundry aisle would have you believe every stain needs its own solution. In reality, one of the most reliable options is already within arm’s reach:
Because it’s designed to break down grease and food residue, it works beautifully on oily stains from salad dressing, cooking oil, and even makeup. A small drop, gently rubbed in before washing, often does the trick. No specialty spray required.
Why it matters: Fewer specialty products, faster results, and one less thing to buy.
The Secret to Fresh-Smelling Towels
Ever wash a load of towels and wonder why they don’t smell as clean as they should? That faint musty scent is usually buildup, not a lack of detergent.
The fix is simple: baking soda. Add about 1/2 cup to the wash to help neutralize odors and freshen fabrics naturally. It also gives your detergent a boost, especially in hard water, which many homes deal with whether they realize it or not.
Why it matters: Towels that smell clean and stay fresh longer.
When Simple Works Better
There’s something satisfying about opening your laundry area and not seeing a dozen half-used bottles staring back at you. Instead of managing a collection of single-purpose products, you’ve got a small system that works across the board. These simple laundry helpers won’t win any awards for flashy packaging, and they don’t promise miracles. They just quietly do the job.
And when a few everyday ingredients can replace an entire shelf of specialty products, that’s not just a money saver. It’s a simpler way to run your home without overthinking it.
Question: What’s one laundry product you keep buying… but secretly wonder if you even need? Share in the comments below.
EverydayCheapskate™ is reader-supported. We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate advertising programs, designed to provide a means for us to earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.
More from Everyday Cheapskate
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260515-homemade-beeswax-furniture-polish-woman-wiping-cutting-board.png
800
1200
Mary Hunt
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png
Mary Hunt2026-05-15 14:04:162026-05-15 14:04:18How to Make Beeswax Furniture Polish From Scratch
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260513-woman-walking-with-basket-down-store-aisle-grocery-items-with-the-biggest-price-increases.png
800
1200
Mary Hunt
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png
Mary Hunt2026-05-13 16:45:412026-05-13 16:45:425 Grocery Items Seeing the Biggest Price Increases Now
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260512-how-to-clean-suede-shoes.png
800
1200
Mary Hunt
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png
Mary Hunt2026-05-12 13:46:402026-05-12 13:48:49How to Clean Suede Shoes Without Ruining Them
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260511-japanese-chicken-wings-recipe.png
800
1200
Mary Hunt
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png
Mary Hunt2026-05-11 12:49:522026-05-11 12:49:52Easy Japanese Chicken Wings for Parties and Potlucks
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260510-northern-colorado-home-backyard-upgrades-on-a-budget-two-comfortable-chairs-and-patio-umbrella-for-shade.png
800
1200
Mary Hunt
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png
Mary Hunt2026-05-10 12:21:402026-05-10 12:21:41The Backyard Change That Kept Us Home More Often
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260509-when-to-open-and-close-windows-to-keep-house-cool.png
800
1200
Mary Hunt
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png
Mary Hunt2026-05-09 11:35:412026-05-09 11:35:43The “Open It or Close It” Rule That Lowers Your Power Bill
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260508-frugal-habits-that-save-money-family-looking-at-sunset.png
800
1200
Mary Hunt
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png
Mary Hunt2026-05-08 14:35:372026-05-08 14:35:4413 Frugal Habits That Don’t Feel Frugal at All
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260507-thermometer-with-blue-sky-100-degrees-summer-kitchen-odor-prevention-habit.png
800
1200
Mary Hunt
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png
Mary Hunt2026-05-07 13:35:362026-05-07 13:35:40The One Cleaning Habit That Keeps Summer Smells From Taking Over
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260506-dishwasher-not-cleaning-properly-reasons-hard-water-temperature-detergent-rinse-aid.png
800
1200
Mary Hunt
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png
Mary Hunt2026-05-06 12:32:212026-05-06 12:34:0910 Reasons Your Dishwasher Is Not Cleaning ProperlyPlease keep your comments positive, encouraging, helpful, brief,
and on-topic in keeping with EC Commenting Guidelines
Last update on 2026-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Please post your recipes for your homemade detergents again. I already use so many of your tips and have never been disappointed.
Thank you. Carol Heard
Here you go! https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/quick-n-easy-homemade-laundry-detergent-update-with-tutorial/
FYI, you can search the website using the search feature on the site. Just search, laundry or detergent and you’ll get all of the articles I’ve written. Enjoy!
I wonder if I really need to use pods for laundry. While they ensure the correct amount of detergent is used, they are ridiculously expensive. Not adverse to making my own detergent but want to avoid the risk of using too much or too little.
Pods are convenient but they are much more expensive. Give this a try and see if you like it!
since i started making my own [thank you mary] there isn’t anything on my shelf that i don’t use. your diy detergent, 1/2 cup borax and if needed, vinegar. i have no complaints about my laundry.