How to Use Vinegar in the Laundry

By Richard Sweeney

Keep white vinegar in the laundry room. Keep white vinegar in the laundry room.

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Vinegar was discovered more than 10,000 years ago. The amazing chemical comes from bacteria turning alcohol into acetic acid, which most people know as vinegar.Since then vinegar has found any number of uses from cooking to household chores but one of the best ways to make use of vinegar's restorative and whitening powers are to us it in laundry. Follow these tips for using white vinegar in the laundry, and it can do everything from removing sweat stains to reducing lint.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

How to Use Vinegar in the Laundry

Step1
Get rid of sweat stains. Perspiration marks can be eliminated by soaking the area with white vinegar before laundering the clothes in the normal manner. This also deodorizes the garment as well.
Step2
Use to soften fabric. Use white vinegar as you would liquid fabric softener during the wash cycle. To remove the stiffness from new jeans, simple wash the jeans inside out with ½ a pint of white vinegar added the laundry.
Step3
Prevent fading. To prevent color fading on towels add ¼ pint of white vinegar to the wash. For handmade quilts or larger textiles soak the item in lots of cold water and ½ pint of white vinegar on the first laundering.
Step4
Eliminate colors running. When you wash any colors you are afraid might run, such as that new red shirt or blue jeans first add white vinegar to cold water. Next add the detergent and finally the cloths to prevent colors, running.
Step5
Reduce lint. Add ¼ to ½ pint of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. You will notice a distinct reduction in the amount of lint on your clothing.
Step6
Remove tar. To remove tar or any other sticky substance from your clothes, pour a little white vinegar over the stain, let set for a moment then launder as usual.

Tips & Warnings

  • These hints are all meant to be performed using WHITE vinegar.
  • Vinegar is an acid so always protect your eyes.

Photo/Video Credit

Public Domain

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on 6/12/2008 Great information! I have been using vinegar as a fabric softener and I love it! My clothes look and feel great!

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eHow Article: How to Use Vinegar in the Laundry

Article By: Richard Sweeney

Richard Sweeney

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Category: Home & Garden

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