Most people have white vinegar somewhere in their home. It gets used in recipes and also to put on top of french fries, but it can also help with laundry!
Here are a few benefits to using it:
Remove mildew odour
It can remove mildew odour from towels. Fill the washer with hot water and add 2 cups of distilled white vinegar, and run a complete cycle. Repeat the process with detergent during the next wash.
Reduce soap residue
Distilled white vinegar contains acetic acid which has the power to dissolve residues left on fabrics by detergents. All you have to do is add half a cup of distilled white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. It works on the clothes without mixing with the detergent during the final wash.
Brighten dull clothes
Add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to 1 gallon of water in a large pot. Heat it until it reaches a boiling point and turn off the heat. Add clothes that have turned dull over time, such as cotton dishcloths, underwear, and socks.
Soften fabrics
Vinegar can help soften fabrics naturally by removing body oils, sweat, and detergent residue. Add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar in the final rinse cycle to help clothes remain soft and less likely to cause skin irritation.
Vinegar helps remove soap and detergent residue, which prevents dark-coloured clothes from fading and turning dull. However, it shouldn’t be used regularly for dark clothing. Add 1/2 cup to the final rinse cycle or soak your clothing in a vinegar solution, then rinse and wash as normal.
Reduce pet hair
Adding vinegar to the rinse cycle helps reduce pet hair and lint sticking to clothes. Simply pour 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser or add it directly to the washing machine at the beginning of the rinse cycle.
Clean your washing machine
Vinegar can remove soap scum and clean the fabric softener compartment as well. Run a complete wash cycle with the washer empty using hot water and 2 cups of distilled white vinegar. Pour the distilled white vinegar into the dispensers as well to remove any buildup.
Vinegar is affordable and safe to use, but experts warn that it should be used no more than once a week. The key is to know how it can help and use it properly to prevent damaging delicate fabrics.
