I also use this recipe for the fabric softener. The baking soda will not dissolve, it only neutralizes the vinegar. This is what I do which makes it seem like less work: I turn on my washer and add my homemade laundry detergent.....while that's getting started, I shake up my fabric softener until it turns white and add some to my "downey ball". I put my clothes in the washer and drop the ball on top. All done! Not too much trouble for wonderfully soft and static free clothes without any nasty harsh chemicals! I've even pushed the limits and tried it on polyesters and fleece blankets and they came out with no static cling and I even find that my teatowels dry better and my iron seems to glide better on the cottons! Good luck.