Vinegar Is Great for Laundry—Here’s How to Use It Correctly
White vinegar can be a useful, inexpensive laundry aid when used properly. It helps remove detergent residue, reduce odors, and keep towels feeling softer. While it won’t magically whiten heavily stained fabrics, it can help maintain brighter whites over time.
How to Use Vinegar in the Laundry
For Softer Towels
- Add ½ cup of distilled white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser during the rinse cycle.
- Vinegar helps rinse away detergent buildup that can make towels feel stiff.
For Brighter Whites
- Add ½ to 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to the wash cycle along with your regular detergent.
- For heavily dingy whites, soak them in a mixture of 1 cup vinegar and 1 gallon of warm water for several hours or overnight before washing.
To Remove Odors
- Add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle to help neutralize lingering odors in clothes, workout gear, or towels.
To Reduce Detergent Buildup
- Use vinegar occasionally in the rinse cycle to help remove soap residue from fabrics and your washing machine.
Important Tips
- Use only distilled white vinegar. Avoid colored or specialty vinegars that may stain fabrics.
- Never mix vinegar with bleach. Combining them creates toxic chlorine gas.
- Don’t pour vinegar directly onto delicate fabrics like silk or wool without checking the care label.
- Use it occasionally, not with every load. Frequent use may contribute to wear on some washing machine rubber seals over time, depending on the manufacturer.
When used correctly, white vinegar is a simple way to freshen laundry, soften towels, and help keep white fabrics looking their best.
