Are you ready to break free from expensive and toxic laundry detergents? Have you ever thought about using vinegar to do your laundry but needed to figure out how it would work or if it was safe? Well, think no more because the answer is yes—vinegar in your laundry is cost-effective and incredibly beneficial for your clothes. Not only is adding a cup of white vinegar during each wash cycle super affordable, but it also comes with many added benefits. And this article is here to explore all of them!
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Choosing The Right Type Of Vinegar For Your Laundry
When cleaning your laundry, vinegar can be an effective and safe tool. However, it is important to know which type of vinegar you should use for the best results. If you are washing whites, distilled white vinegar is preferred due to its ability to dissolve grime and remove odors. When dealing with colored items or anything delicate, apple cider vinegar is a better option as it does not contain bleaching agents, making it gentler on fabrics.
Selecting the right kind of vinegar for your laundering routine can make it more efficient and eco-friendly. Both vinegar types will also naturally soften clothes without harsh chemical additives. As a bonus, using either type of vinegar as part of your wash cycle boosts the effectiveness of your detergent while saving money in the process.
Reasons To Use Vinegar In Your Laundry
Adding it to your laundry can bring several benefits regardless of the type of vinegar you use. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider using vinegar in your laundry:
Brighten Whites
Using vinegar in the wash is an excellent and inexpensive way to brighten white clothes naturally. It can help remove hard-to-remove stains and detergent residue, resulting in vibrant garments that look and smell fresh. Adding a half cup of vinegar to each load of laundry works best for top-loading machines; if you have a front-loading washing machine, pour the vinegar into the fabric softener compartment.
To really make whites look like new, you can add baking soda along with the vinegar. This combination removes tough stains and odors, especially on white sheets. The baking soda will help soften the water and make the process more effective.
Prevent Fading & Color Bleeding
Doing laundry isn’t always a pleasant task, especially when you fear that your favorite clothing could shrink or fade. Good news– adding vinegar to the washing machine can help prevent fading and color bleeding. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant, and its acidity prevents the dye from releasing in the wash. It’s also an effective fabric softener and works great for those who want to avoid commercial products containing harsh chemicals such as phosphates and phthalates.
Additionally, vinegar helps keep colors from fading and makes clothes look new for longer. To use vinegar to prevent fading, add a cup of distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar during the rinse cycle in a cold setting.
Fight Mildew
Using vinegar in the laundry can also be an important step to help prevent mildew. Vinegar kills up to 80% of some mildew-causing bacteria and is non-toxic and safe! When adding white distilled vinegar to your wash cycle, put a cup inside the washer before adding clothes. Use no more than a full cup, as too much vinegar could damage the fabric.
Along with washing clothes and linens in vinegar, periodically cleaning your washer’s interior with vinegar can keep mildew from forming on its surfaces. Do not add detergent directly with vinegar; add it before adding either cold or warm water to start the cycle. This will help break down soap scum, dirt, and oils on fabrics while also fighting mildew.
