Top 10 Uses for Vinegar in Laundry
Distilled White Vinegar is probably one of the most versatile products most people have in their cabinets, yet overlook in favor of more expensive (heavily commercialized) products.
Being the original multi-purpose cleaner and remedy for so many household issues, we could literally list hundreds of uses for vinegar, but for this post we will stick to laundry solutions. Here are my top 10 uses for vinegar in laundry:
1. Make your own fabric softener using vinegar, or just add a cup to the rinse cycle. Trust me, your clothes will not come out smelling like vinegar! Your clothes will come out softer and static-free without smelling like perfume.
2. Set-in the bright colors on new clothing by running a rinse cycle with a cup of vinegar. This also helps to prevent color bleeding on to other items when washed in the future.
3. Clean the soapy residue out of your washing machine by pouring in 4 cups of vinegar and run a full cycle using hot water only (no soap or clothing). Sometimes I let it fill, then turn off the washer and let it sit for an hour, before completing the cycle.
4. Get rid of mineral deposits in your steam iron by filling the reservoir with white vinegar, and then turn it on the steam setting (iron sitting upright). After it has steamed for about 10 minutes, refill the reservoir with distilled water and steam for another 10 minutes or so. When done, refill and you should be good to go. Note: Distilled water is best for preventing mineral deposits.
5. Red wine stains, as well as mustard, ketchup, soda and blood stains can be removed from cotton and cotton blends by sponging the area with undiluted white vinegar, blot and repeat until the stain is lifted. Remember, time is of the essence and it works best if done within 24 hours.
6. Remove rust from cotton clothing by rubbing with undiluted vinegar and a little bit of salt before washing. This also works with scorch marks from your iron.
7. Remove deodorant stains from washable fabrics by rubbing with full-strength white vinegar before washing.
8. Get rid of ring-around-the-collar by scrubbing that shirt with a paste made from vinegar and baking soda. Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes before washing.
9. Treat mildew stains on washable fabrics by soaking in full strength vinegar overnight before washing, and then dry in the sun.
10. Remove ink stains by soaking the area with distilled white vinegar and then rubbing in a paste made with vinegar and cornstarch. After the paste dries you can wash the item.
Odor Problems With Front-Loading Washers
Front-loading washers have become the top choice for most shoppers today for a number of reasons, the most popular being their energy-efficiency.
If you purchased a front-loading washing machine and started using it without reading the owner’s manual or my previous post What You Should Know About Front-Loading Washers, you might soon be experiencing problems with odor.
Because of the design of these types of washers, they use a lot less water than a top loader, and when the wash cycle has completed, a small amount of water (along with detergent/fabric softener residue) is usually left behind. If the tub is not allowed to dry out completely, mold and mildew may start to form.
Mold can irritate eyes, lungs and nasal passages and complicate health problems such as asthma, so it is very important to eliminate bacteria that may be in your washer and to prevent it from returning.
Here are some tips to get rid of the washer’s odor and keep it away:
If your front-load washer is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer for repair. If you were not instructed on how to care for it, or if there were not care instructions in the owner’s manual, you may want to push for a replacement.
Clean the most mold-prone areas such as the rubber gasket around the door (completely, especially underneath) and the drain pump and filter screen. It can be a little tricky to get to that filter screen so check the owner’s manual or assembly instructions. Many have found the culprit in this hidden area. Also, it may be necessary to replace the rubber gasket if it is too badly infected.
Run a cycle using a ½ cup of bleach (through the detergent dispenser and hot water (no clothes), or if your machine has a cleaning cycle then use it according to the directions.
Use a cleanser such as SMELLY WASHER CLEANER
Wipe the inside of the door and seal dry and always leave the door open so that the tub dries out completely.
Only HE (high efficiency) detergents, because they produce less suds, leaving less residue. They are easy to find – just look for the “HE” on the front of the bottle, most brands carry both kinds. The homemade detergent recipe I use is also a low sudsing detergent.
Stay away from liquid fabric softeners, unless you are using something like the vinegar-based fabric softener. Dryer sheets are also an option.
Even though it is more energy efficient to use cold water, try to use hot water on occasion (of course only on items that can take it). This will help to flush out any residue build-up.
