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The market demand for fabric softener is steady because they are used in large quantities every day, and you can supply hotels with this consumable product. 

Word-of-mouth is the best marketing strategy for your products, so let the product speak for itself by giving trial packs to your potential clients. You can also give trial packs as gifts to friends, neighbors, and relatives, whom you can then ask for referrals.

The strongest selling point for your products, of course, is the fact that they are not only of high quality but are also cheaper than their commercial counterparts.

Lilia Agulto, trainer at the Cottage Industry Technology Center teaches us how to make fabric softener at home.

RAW MATERIALS:
* These can usually be purchased in minimum quantities of half a kilogram or half a liter.

• 250 grams fabric softener flakes (P114 per 500 grams)
• 2 liters + 1 liter distilled or de-ionized water (14.19 per liter)
• 10 ml ethyl alcohol (P54.50 per 500 ml)
• 10 ml downy fragrance (P275.04 per 500 ml)

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:

• wooden or plastic ladle (sandok), about P35
• medium-sized basin (stainless steel or plastic), about P41
• kitchen scale, about P88
• measuring spoons and cups, about P120
• gas stove
• cooking pot
• 330 ml PET bottles (available at Cachetrade in Cubao, Quezon City)

Step 1: Boil 2 liters distilled water in a pot.

Step 2: While waiting for the water to boil, crush the fabric softener flakes, either using a mortar and pestle, or, put the flakes in a basin and roll a glass jar over it. Do this until the flakes become powdery.

Step 3: Remove the pot from heat. Pour the powdered fabric softener into the pot. Stir the mixture with a ladle until the powdered fabric softener dissolves completely.

Step 4: Add the ethyl alcohol and the downy fragrance. Mix well.

Step 5: Let the mixture cool for a while, then add another liter of distilled water. Make sure all the substances have thoroughly dissolved.

Step 6: When the mixture has cooled enough, pour it into the PET bottles.

The yield of the fabric softener mixture is 3.27 liters. Using 330-ml bottles, you can produce nine to 10 bottles of fabric softener from it. The shelf life of this fabric softener is one year.

You can add a markup of 40 to 45 percent to the total production cost to determine your selling price. 

DO'S AND DON’TS

• Use tools exclusively for making fabric softener, not the ones you use for food.
• Keep chemicals out of children’s reach.
• Use a facemask when processing, especially if you have asthma.
• Although the ingredients are safe to use, it is recommended that people with highly sensitive skin wear gloves.
• Measure ingredients accurately at all times.