How to Correctly Use Vinegar in the Laundry

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Vinegar is one of laundry’s best kept secret. It’s cheap, natural, and surprisingly versatile. But like any other power tool, it needs to be used wisely.

Vinegar can freshen clothes, soften fabrics, and even get rid of nasty odors, but it’s not always so straightforward.

It can also fade colors, weaken fabrics, and damage elastic if not careful. Knowing when to use vinegar and when to skip it can make the difference between clothes that last and clothes that wear out quickly.

How to Use Vinegar Properly in Laundry

Using vinegar in your laundry routine can be a game-changer, but only if you do it right. When used properly, vinegar can help keep your clothes looking and feeling fresh without causing any harm. Let’s explore the best practices to maximize its benefits.

1. To Pre-treat Stains

You can mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Then, lightly spray the solution on tough stains to help break down the stain without over-saturating the fabric.

Always test on a small area to make sure the vinegar won’t affect the color.

2. In the Rinse Cycle

Pour half cup of white vinegar into fabric softner compartment of the washing machine. This works as a natural fabric softener, leaving your clothes soft without any residue.

I love using it on towels. It gets out the funky smells and makes them soft over time.

3. To Eliminate Odors

You can add one cup of vinegar directly to the drum during the rinse cycle for must or heavily-soiled clothes. This will help neutralize odors and kill bacteria. Just be careful. It can be too much with certain fabrics like declicates and bright colors.

4. To Brighten Whites

Vinegar can be used to keep whites bright. Try soaking them in a solution of one cup of vinegar to one gallon of warm water for about an hour before washing.

This helps to get rid of dirt buildup and keeps your whites looking fresh. Just don’t do it with delicate fabrics like silk or wool.

5. To Clean the Washing Machine

To keep your washing machine running in top shape, run an empty load with two cups of vinegar once a month. This removes detergent buildup and kills lingering bacteria and mold.

How to Not Use Vinegar in Your Laundry

Vinegar is often hailed as a miracle worker in the laundry room. We praise it for its ability to soften fabrics, eliminate odors, and even brighten colors.

But, as with any powerful tool, there are some important rules to follow. Understanding when *not* to use vinegar is just as crucial as knowing when it works best. Let’s review some key scenarios where you should skip the vinegar to keep your laundry in top shape.

1. On Delicate Fabrics

When it comes to delicate fabrics like silk, wool, or rayon, vinegar can do more harm than good. The acidity in vinegar is too harsh for these fragile materials. It can lead to weakened fibers and damage.

Instead of softening or freshening, it might cause your favorite delicate pieces to lose their luster or even develop small tears over time. For these fabrics, it’s best to stick to specialized, gentle detergents designed to maintain their softness and sheen. I would err on the side of caution and protect your delicate items from unnecessary wear and tear.

2. On Elastic Materials

Vinegar might be a go-to for many laundry needs, but it’s not friendly to elastic materials. The acidity in vinegar can break down the stretchy fibers found in materials like spandex, elastane, and Lycra. Over time, the elastic to lose its stretch, making your clothes saggy and less form-fitting.

Think of items like yoga pants, swimwear, or anything with an elastic waistband—these are best kept away from vinegar. To maintain the elasticity and longevity of these garments, opt for a mild detergent and cool water washes instead.

3. On Really Bright Colors

Vinegar, while effective for many laundry tasks, can be a risky choice for bright-colored fabrics. The acidic nature of vinegar can cause vibrant colors to fade over time, especially with repeated use.

If you love the boldness of your brightly colored clothes, it’s best to avoid using vinegar regularly. Even though it’s great for removing odors or softening fabrics, it might strip away the richness of colors like red, blue, and yellow, leaving them looking dull and washed out.

If you’re considering using vinegar on a brightly colored item, always do a small patch test in an inconspicuous area first. To keep those colors popping, I recommend sticking to color-safe detergents specifically designed to protect and preserve vibrant hues.

4. With Bleach

Mixing vinegar with bleach is a definite no-go in laundry care. When these two substances combine, they create chlorine gas, a highly toxic and potentially dangerous substance.

Even in small amounts, chlorine gas can cause respiratory issues, eye irritation, and serious harm to your health. It’s important to remember that while vinegar is a natural cleaner and bleach is a powerful disinfectant, together they become hazardous. Always keep them separate in your laundry routine to ensure safety.

If you need to use bleach for whitening or disinfecting, stick to water or a gentle, non-toxic alternative instead of vinegar.

5. With Baking Soda

Do you remember the science experiments when you mixed the vinegar and baking soda to make the volcano erupt? Yep, that one. Don’t do that with your laundry.

You shouldn’t mix baking soda and vinegar when washing clothes. You can damage the machine and maybe your clothes. I don’t know. I haven’t tried and wouldn’t recommend it.

6. Heavily Soiled or Greasy Clothes

Vinegar may not be strong enough to remove heavy dirt, grease, or oil stains on its own. Try a stronger detergent-based stain remover first. Then, you can try vinegar a little later if some oomph is needed.

7. In the Laundry Everyday

I get it, you’ve found something that seems to work on dirt, smells, and everything else and you want to use it. But you can’t..at least not regularly.

Vinegar can damage your washing machine rubber seals when used frequently. So, save the vinegar for those special projects that need a little something extra.

Featured Image Credit: Yuganov Konstantin/Shutterstock.