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You can make lavender water for laundry by steeping dried lavender buds in hot water, then straining and using the infused liquid in your wash cycle.
It’s a simple, natural way to add a gentle floral scent to your clothes without harsh chemicals.
If you’ve been wondering how to make lavender water for laundry that actually lasts, you’re in the right place.
This DIY lavender water for laundry is cheap, easy, and works beautifully as a fabric softener or linen spray.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make lavender water for laundry step by step, plus a few variations to suit your routine.
Let’s get started.
Why Make Lavender Water for Laundry?
Making lavender water for laundry is worth it for a few good reasons.
1. It’s All-Natural and Gentle
Store-bought fabric softeners often contain synthetic fragrances and chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin.
When you make lavender water for laundry at home, you know exactly what’s in it.
Just lavender, water, and maybe a little vinegar or alcohol, nothing more.
2. It Smells Amazing Without Being Overpowering
Lavender water for laundry leaves a soft, calming scent on your clothes.
It’s subtle enough for everyday wear but fresh enough to notice when you pull a shirt from the drawer.
3. It’s Cheap and Easy to Make
A small bag of dried lavender buds costs a few dollars and makes multiple batches of lavender water for laundry.
You probably already have the rest of the supplies in your kitchen.
How to Make Lavender Water for Laundry
Here’s the basic method for how to make lavender water for laundry.
1. Gather Your Supplies
You’ll need 1/4 cup of dried lavender buds, 2 cups of distilled water, and a clean spray bottle or jar.
If you want your lavender water for laundry to last longer, grab some witch hazel or vodka too.
2. Heat the Water
Bring your distilled water to a near-boil, then remove it from the heat.
You don’t want a rolling boil, just hot enough to draw out the oils from the lavender.
3. Steep the Lavender
Pour the hot water over the dried lavender buds in a heat-safe bowl.
Cover it and let it steep for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours for a stronger infusion.
The longer it sits, the more fragrant your lavender water for laundry will be.
4. Strain the Mixture
Once steeped, strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean jar.
Squeeze the buds gently to get every last drop of that lovely lavender water for laundry.
5. Add a Preservative (Optional)
If you plan to store your lavender water for laundry for more than a few days, add a tablespoon of witch hazel or vodka.
This helps prevent mold and keeps your lavender water for laundry fresh longer.
6. Bottle and Store
Pour your finished lavender water for laundry into a spray bottle or glass jar.
Keep it in a cool, dark place, and it’ll stay good for about a week without preservatives, or a month with them.
How to Use Lavender Water for Laundry
Now that you’ve made your lavender water for laundry, here’s how to actually use it.
1. As a Fabric Softener
Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of lavender water for laundry to your washing machine’s fabric softener dispenser.
Your clothes will come out soft and lightly scented.
2. As a Linen Spray
Pour some lavender water for laundry into a spray bottle and mist your sheets, towels, or clothes before folding.
It’s a great way to refresh items that don’t need a full wash.
3. In the Rinse Cycle
For an extra boost, add a splash of lavender water for laundry directly into the rinse cycle.
Just don’t overdo it, a little goes a long way.
4. Combined with Vinegar
Mix equal parts lavender water for laundry and white vinegar for a powerful natural softener.
The vinegar smell fades as it dries, leaving only the lavender behind.
Tips for the Best Lavender Water for Laundry
A few extra tips will help you get the most out of your lavender water for laundry.
1. Use Dried Lavender, Not Fresh
Fresh lavender can introduce moisture and mold into your lavender water for laundry.
Dried buds are more concentrated and safer for storage.
2. Don’t Skip the Preservative if Storing Long-Term
If you’re making a big batch of lavender water for laundry, always add witch hazel or vodka.
It’s the difference between a batch that lasts a month and one that goes bad in days.
3. Test on a Small Area First
Before using lavender water for laundry on delicate fabrics, spot-test a small hidden area.
Most fabrics handle it fine, but it’s always safer to check.
4. Store in Glass, Not Plastic
Glass jars and bottles preserve the scent of lavender water for laundry better than plastic.
Plastic can absorb the oils and dull the fragrance over time.
5. Experiment with Strength
Some people prefer a light lavender water for laundry, others want it stronger.
Adjust the amount of buds you use until you find your perfect ratio.
So, How Do You Make Lavender Water for Laundry?
You make lavender water for laundry by steeping dried lavender buds in hot water, straining, and bottling the infused liquid.
It’s a natural, affordable way to soften fabrics and leave a calming scent on your clothes.
Whether you use it as a fabric softener, a linen spray, or a rinse aid, lavender water for laundry is a simple swap that makes laundry day feel a little more spa-like.
Give it a try, and your laundry will thank you.