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.
Help Soften Fabrics
Have you ever washed a load of laundry and noticed that your fabric felt too stiff or rough? Vinegar is an excellent natural solution for softening fabrics in washing machines. Not only will adding 1/2 cup of white vinegar help restore fabrics to softness, but it can also act as a fabric softener and reduce drying time. When using vinegar, add it during the rinse cycle so that your clothes are not exposed to too much acidity.
And if you want to add an extra punch of fragrance, you can add a few drops of essential oil directly into the vinegar before pouring it into the washing machine. This is a great way to make your clothes smell natural and fresh without harsh detergents.
Reduce Pet Hair
Pets are part of the family, and pet hair is unfortunate. But don’t worry– adding a cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle can help reduce pet hair on clothes. Vinegar creates an acidic environment that loosens and dissolves pet fur, making it easier to remove during the wash cycle. Plus, since vinegar is a natural disinfectant, it helps eliminate any pet odors that might be present.
Vinegar can also be used on pet beds, toys, and other washable fabrics to help remove stubborn pet hair. Pour 1/3 cup of vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz it onto the items that need cleaning. Let it sit for 5 minutes before washing as normal with detergent and warm water.
Remove Smoke Odors
If you or someone in your family smokes, you know how tricky it can be to eliminate the smell. Luckily, vinegar is here to help! Adding a cup of white distilled vinegar during the wash cycle helps remove smoke odors from clothing. The acidity in vinegar works particularly well on smoke odors, making it a great all-natural solution for freshening up smoky fabrics.
If you still have smoke odors lingering after the wash cycle, try adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to the washer during the rinse cycle. This will help strip away any remaining residues and bring your fabrics to life.
Remove Limescale
While not a benefit to your clothes, vinegar can remove limescale buildup in your washing machine. Limescale is a residue caused by hard water that accumulates on the interior of machines, leading to poor performance and even mold growth. To eliminate this excess build-up, pour two cups of white distilled vinegar into your washer and let it sit for about an hour.
Then, run a full cycle with hot water to flush out all the debris. You can repeat this process once a month or whenever you notice that there is an excess build-up in your machine. Just clean out the filter afterward to ensure that all the limescale has been removed.
There Are Plenty Of Reasons To Use Vinegar In Your Laundry!
Vinegar is a surprisingly effective solution for tackling laundry problems. From softening fabrics to removing pet hair and smoke odors, vinegar is an all-natural solution that helps keep your clothes looking and smelling fresh. And with its ability to reduce limescale, vinegar is a great tool for keeping your washing machine in top shape. If you have been looking for a way to take your routine to the next level, why not use vinegar in your laundry? It might just be the answer you’ve been looking for!
