After posting my Tips for using Baking Soda in the Laundry (and the FREE printable), so many of you asked me to make one for how to use vinegar in the laundry! I have lots of other vinegar tips on my blog but today I’m going to share 9 great ways to use vinegar in the laundry.
Fabric Softener
To soften clothes, and prevent lint from sticking to them, add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Odor Remover
To remove odors from clothes add 1 cup of vinegar to the load of laundry
Stain Remover
To remove preexisting stains preteat with a mixture of 3 TBS white vinegar, 2 TBS liquid detergent and 4 cups of warm water. Rub the mixture into the stain, and then wash as normal.
Prevent Color Fading
To prevent color fading add 1 cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle.
Prevent Color Bleeding
To prevent new clothes from bleeding, soak it in a few cups of undiluted white vinegar for 10-15 minutes and then wash as normal.
Whitener
To whiten dingy whites add 1 cup of white vinegar to 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, remove it from the heat and add your dingy white clothes to it. Soak them over night and then wash them as normal.
Re-shape Shrunken Clothes
To reshape, or resize shrunken wool clothes, soak shrunken clothes in a solution of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes resize the item of clothing and then let it air dry.
Anti-Bacterial
To kill bacteria in the laundry add 1 cup of vinegar to the wash cycle.
I use these vinegar tips with my laundry all the time! And because you asked for it I’ve got a FREE printable for you, for your laundry room!
For a Printable Version click HERE
Thanks Anna! I had the Baking Soda printout, but have never found a vinegar one! Will add this to my Household Binder!
You’re welcome!!! Vinegar is great in the laundry, I use it all the time. The color bleeding prevention is my favorite. 🙂
Hi Anna,
I almost feel silly asking this question, does the vinegar leave your clothes with a smell? I read on another post they use a drop or two of essential oil for fragrance. Have you ever used something for scent?
EmilyM
It doesn’t make them smell at all! I’ve been asked that a lot so don’t worry. 🙂 It actually just removes any odors that are on the clothes.
hi! the link for the printable doesn’t take me to the right place I don’t think….. it won’t print out!! I printed the baking soda one but the vinegar doesn’t look the same when it comes up :(…. am I doing something wrong?
It is working for me. Here’s the direct link: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwMiFK35gLhVX2NYYi1wRWFaMms/edit?usp=sharing. If it doesn’t work I can email it to you.
I understand how this would work in a top load washer (adding vinegar to specific cycles) but how does this work on a front load washer …won’t water run out all over the place? Or do you put it in the soap dispenser? In the bleach compartment? Thanks!
I don’t have a front loader but I would add the vinegar in where you would normally put the fabric softener.
HI you would put it in the dispenser of your front loader, or you can throw it in at the beginning.
cheers Janine
I think putting it in the dispenser would work just fine. 🙂
Does it matter what kind of vinegar you use? Thanks!
Use white vinegar for all of these tips. 🙂
Fabulous tips Anna! Thanks for the handy printable to put in my laundry room!
Vinegar isnt to replace bleach when it comes to sanitation and disinfecting as the pH level of vinegar is very close to humans pH Level that if vinegar came in contact with bacteria such as yeast in your laundry it would actually thrive and not be killed.
Sorry, fungus, not bacteria.
Thank you Anna, for the post and the free printable version. This is great to know. I usually use baking soda and/or peroxide in my wash. I didn’t know about using vinegar.
Thanks Again!!
What can I use to get rid of the sour smell that sometimes is in washcloths after awhile. I tried vinegar and that really didn’t work. Smell came right back. As I recall I soaked it in vinegar. My smelly washcloths (that are laundered often) will appreciate it.
Oh my gosh! This is GREAT!!!
Thank you so much for these tips 🙂
I’ve a question and I’d appreciate if you could answer it. How do I use vinegar in a fully automatic washing machine??
Does your washer have a place to put bleach? I would put the vinegar where you’re supposed to put the bleach.
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You can sign up here – http://mad.ly/signups/76315/join
How often do you have to use the Vinegar to get smells out of clothes? Also how often do use it to make clothes s0fter and do they stay soft for good after using it?
Thank You
I use the vinegar whenever I wash my husband’s running clothes, or anything that’s a little stinky. You can use it as often, or infrequently as you like, it won’t damage your clothes. 🙂
To kill bacteria in the laundry add 1 cup of vinegar to the wash cycle.
For this tip, can we add vinegar along with soap detergent. Or you meant wash cycle using vinegar only.
Its my misunderstanding. Hope you will clear it.
I add the vinegar in addition to the laundry detergent.
I’d heard from washing machine repair people that vinegar was bad for the seals & could lead to najor problems.
I haven’t heard that, but good to know. Maybe just avoid using the vinegar around the seals. 🙂