How to Get Vinegar Out of a Shirt

White vinegar removes stains, but balsamic or wine vinegar can cause them.

Vinegar is not just a tangy addition to foods, it's a versatile all-around cleaning product. Used at full strength or diluted in water, it can remove hard-water stains from plumbing, leave your windows crystal clear or even eliminate the persistent odor of sweat from your favorite workout shirt. It's also one of the most useful cleansers available for stained clothing, helping loosen and remove a number of tough pigments from fabric. However, balsamic vinegar, wine vinegars and some fruit vinegars can also cause stains.

Things You'll Need

• Salt
• Clear dishwashing liquid
• Dry, absorbent white cloth or towel
• White vinegar

Instructions

1. Remove the shirt as soon as possible. Keep the vinegar-stained area damp to prevent the pigment from setting into the fabric.

2. Mound a small pile of salt over the moistened stain, and allow it to sit for five minutes. The salt will draw moisture from the stain, and much of the vinegar's pigment will come with it.

3. Gently work a drop or two of clear dishwashing liquid into the stained area, then blot it gently with a clean white cloth or towel. Don't rub, which will spread the stain. Just fold the cloth to make a thick pad, and blot from the edge of the stain to its center with a gentle, rolling motion.

4. Moisten the spot with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water if the stain hasn't yet come out. Blot the area dry, then repeat the washing and blotting process with clear dishwashing liquid.

5. Alternate white vinegar and dishwashing liquid until the stain has been removed. Wash the garment as you usually do, but don't dry it until you've checked that the stain is gone.

Tips & Warnings

• If the stain proves especially stubborn, blot it with household ammonia instead of white vinegar.

• Although white vinegar doesn't stain per se, it's highly acidic and can cause color changes on non-colorfast fabrics. If you spill white vinegar on a new garment, it's prudent to flush the spot immediately with cold water to prevent bleaching or discoloration.

• If your shirt is made from silk or a similarly delicate fabric, you're better off having it professionally dry cleaned. Keep the spot damp until you drop off the shirt.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster -- Vinegar
• City College of San Francisco: Stain Removal