Okay, y’all. I have the very best laundry tip to share that you are not going to believe the difference it makes in your laundry.
I’ve been using this method for my laundry for a little over a year and can not believe the difference it has made.
I never, ever, ever want to go back.
Like ever.
Are you ready for the tip?
Vinegar.
Plain ol distilled white vinegar is a huge life saver, or should I say, laundry saver.
When we built our house, we bought a new washer and dryer set for our laundry room. I was beyond thrilled with this “new and improved” design and just knew that it was the best thing since sliced bread in the laundry department.
Well, after a little while I started noticing a musty smell in our laundry.
The towels seemed to be the worst.
It was horrible!
If you’ve ever had that same problem, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
I tried everything from using less detergent, cleaning out the seals of my washing machine at least once a month, buying washing machine cleaner, to calling a repairman. Then, in a conversation one day while talking to my Mama about my Grandmother hanging clothes on a drying line and ironing my Granddaddy’s overalls until they could stand up by themselves, Mama mentioned that my Grandmother was a firm believer in using white vinegar in her laundry.
Why in the world had I forgotten that little fact.
When I began using it in my laundry, I noticed no more mildew smell from my front-load washing machine, my towels seemed fluffier, and whites whiter. As a bonus during the fall and winter when we’ve been outside around our firepit, there was no more residual smell of smoke on our clothes afterward.
Using Vinegar in Laundry
I simply add 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar into each load of laundry.
For sheets, towels, and stained linens, I pour distilled white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser of my washing machine.
As with any change in your laundry routine, I suggest you read your machine’s manual to make sure there are no issues with using vinegar in your washing machine.
My mother would be so proud of this post! She’s a vinegar cheerleader and has been for years. But I hadn’t thought of using it with my laundry. She’s suggested it for cleaning the washer, like running a load with just vinegar (no clothing or linens). I wonder – do you get a vinegar smell? Cuz that wouldn’t be pleasant…..
Hi Barbara,
I was rather worried about a residual vinegar scent as well, but luckily haven’t had one. I’m sure if you added more vinegar, you might have a carryover scent, but I’ve not had one. Just fresh, clean smelling!
I’m so glad you posted about this. I had heard about it, but lost sight of it. My towels definately need help!
I put vinegar in the “softener” ball I bought a few years ago. That way it is released with the rinse? Or whenever that thing pops open LOL.
I have heard from a very technical guy, that they were just as excited about their new washer, and found that the “energy saving” was saving water from one wash to the other, Grey Water. But if you are not washing right away, of course, it will go slimy and stale. Brilliant design! They returned theirs. Just FYI. Silly too, as the laundromat front loaders are just fine! They surely can make ones that work for the home! ANd they can still make them like they use to, with parts that last 30 plus years – another story.
Since vinegar cuts soap, I was curious – you put it in WITH the detergent?
There are recipes for home laundry detergents on other sites also, with borax, and soap flakes….to get away from more of the toxic thing they have done to our laundry. I hear it saves money too, certainly plastic! Skin is the largest cleansing organ – so toxic chemical residues in contact with the skin constantly – yikes!! I have recently been in the public schools at the end of the day, to tutor. Holy cow, the dryer sheet and laundry toxins when you walk in the school – it is so toxic! The smell is overwhelming! Nearly choking to one without the exposure. Laundry products are the ONE most toxic indoor pollutant.
We put vinegar in the rinse cycle. For whites, a second rinse is always very whitening anyway. Woolen dryer balls are excellent softeners. Interestingly, many put some vinegar on their dryer wool balls for extra softening, and the effects last quite a while – so long after the vinegar has dried. All hang-dry items go in for a 10 minute toss with the dryer balls here.
Borax is actually boron, and any residual would actually be good for our bodies.
I have started making the no grate laundry detergent, I use 1/2 cup per load, and instead of softener, I use vinegar. Just pour it into the softener spot. I also add 1/4 cup baking soda to every load. I am thrilled at the money that I am saving by using just vinegar, and my own detergent!!
Cool! We’ve totally had that musty smell with our towels. Drives me bonkers. Trying this one!
Do you add vinegar to every load of laundry or just the towels and sheets?
To begin with, I only added it to towels and sheets – which worked just fine. Now though, I add it to every single load. 🙂
I’ve tried this before…but in a different method. I cannot stand that towel smell! I have to try this one now. (The other one included baking soda, and no laundry detergent.) Thanks for this, Robyn!
You’ll have to let me know how it works for you. I still use my laundry detergent and no baking soda. But, I believe the method you are using the baking soda works as the detergent.
The baking soda softens the water to make the detergent work better so you dont have to use as much.
Just curious, are you still using fabric softener as well? Do you simply dd both vinegar and softenert the same time to the fabric softener compartment?
Hi Lisa,
No, I don’t use a fabric softener.
Fragranced fabric softeners contain so many harmful chemicals. I had a chemical workplace exposure; became hypersensitive to multiple everyday chemicals. Not God made but man-made.
Symptoms you may not know to associate with fragranced products: loss of concentration, headache, sleepy ; general fatigue. There are more. If there are 30 kids in a classroom carrying usual germs; then each wearing fragranced products, it has an affect. Same way at work. Perfume is made of chemicals. Hair products, body care; hygiene products = a Chemical Stew.
Lastly, the allergy symptoms, itchy eyes, nasal problems.
We blame it on seasonal affects.
Please investigate for yourselves and look into fragrance; dye free.
I use vinegar to clean, for laundry soak.
Seventh generation products unscented, no dyes.
Am under the care of a Toxicologist; Dermatologist.
Extremely strong scents will swell my vocal cord, voice goes to the range of Betty Boop; then quits.
There are products in fragranced products that do not gave to be listed. One I tested allergic to is Balsam of Peru.
Purell gel is over used; it has fragrance. It wipes out my vocal cords.
I don’t have Asthma but many do; would benefit by changes.
Just to clarify, I understand you are still using your normal detergent.. Where are you putting the 1/4 cup vinegar? Right into the laundry machine itself with the clothes or into the same chamber as the detergent? Thanks
Hi Sharon,
Yes, I still use my regular detergent and add the vinegar into the liquid dispenser section of my washing machine.
I’ve been adding vinegar to the rinse cycle and 1/2 cup baking soda when I add the detergent and the improvement is remarkable.
I’d like your take on another laundry tip I read recently – adding a teaspoon of black pepper along with your laundry detergent helps keep your brights as bright as they can be. I’ve never heard of this and haven’t tried it yet!
I’ve never heard of the black pepper! Hmm. Let me know if you try it and how it works.
I’m trying it!! I have been doing monthly bleach cleans on my washer and it still irritates me. Plus I’m always nervous when I use bleach 🙂
I always get a little nervous with bleach, too. Let me know how you like the vinegar.