Adding vinegar to laundry has become a popular laundry hack in recent years. While it may sound unusual, using vinegar can provide several benefits for your clothes and washing machine. In this article, we’ll explore why people are putting vinegar in their laundry and review the pros and cons of this laundry trick.
What Does Vinegar Do For Laundry?
Vinegar is often touted as a natural fabric softener, odor neutralizer, stain remover, and cleaning booster for laundry. Here’s a quick overview of some of its purported benefits:
- Softens fabrics – Vinegar helps remove soap residue and minerals from hard water that can leave clothes stiff. The acidic nature of vinegar makes fabrics feel softer.
- Removes odors – The acidic properties of vinegar help kill bacteria that cause odors in clothing. It can help remove musty smells that build up over time.
- Brightens colors – Vinegar is said to help brighten faded colors and prevent dye transfer between fabrics.
- Removes stains – Due to the acetic acid, vinegar can help break down some common stains on clothing.
- Disinfects – Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and can help kill germs and bacteria that build up in laundry.
- Cleans washing machine – Over time, soap scum and mineral deposits can build up in a washer. Vinegar helps descale and clean the machine.
While vinegar is not a laundry detergent replacement, adding it as a supplemental cleaning booster can provide some useful benefits for your clothes and washer.
Does Vinegar Really Softener Clothes?
One of the biggest claims about using vinegar in laundry is that it acts as a fabric softener. But does vinegar really soften clothes? Here’s a look at the evidence:
- Removes detergent residue – Vinegar helps rinse away any leftover soap or detergent stuck to fabric fibers. This helps prevent stiffness.
- Neutralizes odors – The vinegar smell dissipates while drying but helps remove odors trapped in fabric that makes them feel rough.
- Prevents static cling – By removing soap residue, vinegar helps reduce the static charge that causes clothing to cling together while drying.
- No coating left behind – Vinegar does not leave a waxy coating like some liquid fabric softeners. This prevents buildup on fabrics.
Based on the mechanisms above, vinegar does appear to have a legitimate softening effect on laundry. Keep in mind vinegar contains acetic acid, which works differently from the fatty alcohols in liquid fabric softeners that leave a lubricating coat. But vinegar’s cleaning action produces a similar soft feel.
Does Vinegar Brighten Clothes?
Another popular vinegar laundry hack is using it to brighten dingy, faded clothes. But can a splash of vinegar really help brighten your laundry? Let’s break it down:
- Removes dulling residue – Detergent, dirt, and mineral deposits can leave behind a film on fabric that makes colors appear dull. The acidic vinegar helps dissolve this buildup.
- Bleaching agent – Vinegar does have mild bleaching properties. The acetic acid may help lift some discoloration and lighten fabric.
- Prevents fading – By removing mineral deposits and residues, vinegar may help colors maintain vibrancy rather than continue fading over time.
- No dye stripping – Vinegar does not contain harsh chemicals like bleach that can strip dye molecules from fabric and cause premature fading.
While the brightening effect may be subtle, vinegar does seem to help remove dingy residue that dulls colors. It will not drastically lighten clothing or prevent all fading. But over time, vinegar may help slow fading by keeping fabrics cleaner.
Does Vinegar Disinfect Laundry?
Vinegar has antimicrobial properties, which has led to claims it can disinfect laundry. But is vinegar an effective laundry disinfectant? Here’s a look at what the research shows:
- Kills odor-causing bacteria – Vinegar is effective at killing bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus that causes odors in fabrics.
- Effective against viruses – Studies show white vinegar can inactivate viruses like influenza, herpes simplex 1, and polio after a 10-20 minute exposure time.
- Not a sanitizer – While vinegar reduces microbes, research shows it does not sanitize laundry by killing 99.9% of germs with thorough coverage.
- Washing machines harbor biofilms – The moist environment allows robust biofilms of bacteria and fungi to grow, which vinegar cannot penetrate to fully disinfect.
Based on current evidence, vinegar does have antimicrobial properties that make it somewhat effective at disinfecting laundry. However, it does not fully sanitize fabrics when used in a standard washing machine. But vinegar can help kill odor-causing bacteria and reduce viral loads on clothing.
Does Vinegar Remove Stains from Clothes?
Vinegar is often suggested as a natural cleaning booster for removing stubborn stains. But is it truly effective on all types of stains? Here’s a look at the evidence:
| Type of Stain | Is Vinegar Effective? |
|---|---|
| Sweat & Body Oils | Yes – breaks down oils and eliminates odors |
| Grass | Somewhat – helps break down plant pigments |
| Coffee & Tea | No – unable to remove tannin stains |
| Grease & Oil | No – cannot break down greasy, lipid-based stains |
| Mud | Somewhat – helps dissolve mineral deposits in mud |
| Ink | No – cannot remove dye-based stains |
As you can see, vinegar seems effective at cleaning stains derived from body oils and secretions. But it does not work well on dye-based stains. Vinegar can help loosen mineral deposits and may boost stain removal used in combination with detergent. Overall, it’s not a stain removal miracle worker but can enhance cleaning for some stain types.
Can Vinegar Damage Clothes?
Before you start pouring vinegar all over your laundry, it’s important to understand if it could damage fabrics. Here are some potential downsides to be aware of:
- Fades prints/embroidery – Vinegar can fade intricate designs and embroidered fabrics over time with regular use.
- Damages elastic – The acidity can degrade elastic in undergarments and socks, causing them to stretch out.
- Irritates skin – Vinegar residue left on clothes can cause skin irritation for sensitive individuals.
- Yellows white fabrics – Acetic acid may cause yellowing on white cotton and linen with repeated exposure.
- Corrodes metal – Zippers, snaps, and other metal fasteners can corrode from vinegar over time.
While convenient as a laundry booster, vinegar can cause long-term damage to certain clothing items. It’s best to avoid using vinegar on prints, embroidered fabrics, delicates, fitness wear, and undergarments.
How Much Vinegar Should You Use?
Vinegar is acidic, so more is not necessarily better when it comes to laundry. Here are some guidelines on vinegar amounts:
- Standard load – 1/4 to 1/2 cup white vinegar added to the rinse or detergent cycles.
- HE/front load washer – 1/4 cup max since less water is used.
- Top loader – Can use up to 1 cup vinegar for a very large/heavily soiled load.
- Hand wash – 1 tbsp vinegar per gallon of water.
- Stain treatment – Apply undiluted vinegar directly to stain.
Always start with less vinegar – you can gradually increase the amount if needed. Too much vinegar could damage clothes or leave behind a strong smell.
Does Vinegar Leave a Smell?
Some people are wary of using vinegar in laundry because of the strong acidic smell. Here’s what you need to know:
- Vinegar smell dissipates – During the rinse and drying cycles, the vinegar odor is rinsed away and evaporates.
- No lingering odor – Vinegar does not leave clothes smelling sour or like vinegar after drying.
- Removes odors – Vinegar smell helps neutralize and eliminate existing odors in laundry.
- Allergen/irritant – Vinegar residue could cause respiratory irritation for those with asthma or allergies.
For most people, vinegar odor is not a problem as it washes away in the process and does not leave clothes smelly. However, vinegar residue left on towels or bedding could provoke a reaction in sensitive individuals.
What Type of Vinegar for Laundry?
Not all vinegars are created equal when it comes to using them on laundry. Here is a breakdown:
| Vinegar Type | Best Use |
|---|---|
| White Vinegar | General laundering – inexpensive and readily available. |
| Apple Cider Vinegar | Odor removal – mellow aroma and extra cleaning power. |
| Wine Vinegar | Delicates – gentler acidity for silk and wool. |
| Rice Vinegar | Brightening – higher acidity to dissolve mineral buildup. |
| Cleaning Vinegar | Disinfecting – higher acetic acid content. |
White distilled vinegar is the most versatile, affordable option for everyday use. Try other specialty vinegars for tailored jobs like odor removal or brightening.
Does Vinegar Clean Washing Machines?
Over time, washing machines can accumulate residues that lead to foul odors and poor performance. Vinegar is commonly suggested as a DIY washing machine cleaner. But does it work?
- Removes soap scum – Vinegar dissolves sticky soap and detergent buildup, especially on rubber seals.
- Descale mineral deposits – The acid in vinegar helps dissolve scale from hard water that clogs hoses and pipes.
- Cleans mildew – Vinegar kills mold and mildew growing in the damp washing machine tub and dispensers.
- Freshens odors – The vinegar scent helps eliminate funky odors coming from the machine.
Based on its dissolving and antimicrobial abilities, vinegar can be an effective cleaning solution for maintaining washing machines. For best results, run an empty wash cycle on hot with 2 cups vinegar monthly.
Can Vinegar Damage Washing Machines?
While vinegar can clean washing machines, in some cases it could do more harm than good. Here are potential downsides:
- Corrosion – Vinegar’s acidity could damage rubber hoses or corrode metal components over time with frequent use.
- Clogs drainage – Vinegar could loosen mineral deposits that then clog drainage pipes and pumps.
- Etches plastic – Discoloration or cracking could occur on plastic tubs and trays from repeated vinegar exposure.
- Damages seals – Rubber door gaskets and seals can degrade faster from long-term contact with vinegar.
Limit vinegar as a washing machine cleaner to once a month to avoid potential damage. Always dilute vinegar with water and run an extra rinse cycle afterwards to flush out any residue.
Conclusion
While using vinegar for laundry has drawbacks, it can provide real benefits when used properly. Follow these tips to add vinegar to your washing routine safely:
- Use white distilled vinegar unless a special type is needed.
- Limit vinegar to 1/4-1/2 cup per load.
- Skip the vinegar for delicates, embroidered items, fitness wear, and undergarments.
- Rinse clothes thoroughly and air dry to prevent irritation.
- Clean washing machines with vinegar monthly at most.
Take precautions when using vinegar for laundry. But overall, it can boost cleaning, softening, and brightening when used as an additive in moderation.