How to Use Vinegar as a Fabric Softener

Vinegar preserves and deodorizes fabrics naturally.

Fabric softener keeps your clothing soft and bright, but it is usually expensive and full of potentially harmful chemicals. Vinegar, on the other hand, is a natural cleanser which also softens fabrics, preserves their color, while fighting stains and odors. Not to mention, vinegar is also vastly cheaper than other fabric softeners on the market: So you'll save a lot of money using vinegar instead.

Instructions

1. Sort your laundry and place a load into the washing machine. Run the machine as usual, with detergent.

2. Add half a cup of white vinegar directly to the wash, just prior to the final rinse cycle. Allow the machine to finish the rest of they cycle.

3. Remove the laundry from your washing machine and dry it as usual. Either throw it in the dryer, or hang it out on the clothesline. The dry laundry will not smell like vinegar.

Tips & Warnings

• Use three quarters of a cup of vinegar for a larger loads.

• If your washing machine has a fabric softener dispenser, add the vinegar directly to the dispenser at the beginning of the wash cycle. You can also use a fabric softener dispenser ball by adding the vinegar to the ball and using it as directed.

References

• Frugal Village: Use Vinegar as a Fabric Softener

Resources

• The Dollar Stretcher: Fabric Softeners