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If you walk into the aisle with detergents in a store, you’ll find a huge number of products that promise miracles in an instant – they will improve your laundry, clean the washer and remove even the most stubborn stains. Besides often being very expensive, they sometimes fail to live up to the promises on the packaging. I’ll tell you what my mother taught me and what I’ve practiced for 30 years. Always keep 1 bottle of ordinary white vinegar by the washing machine. However, it’s not just for quarterly cleaning of the washer – these are 13 amazing effects that every housewife will appreciate. Some my mother didn’t even know about!
Disinfects your washing machine, eliminates bacteria and viruses
The buildup of detergent residue and dirt causes your laundry not to be washed properly, creates odors, worsens the rinsing process and even damages the appliance itself. A classic vinegar cleaning removes all these problems, disinfects, descales, eliminates mold and bacteria and clears water flows clogged with dirt. So it’s enough to pour two cups of vinegar into the washer and run it empty on the highest temperature four times a year.
Takes the role of fabric softener
Vinegar softens items better than many commercial fabric softeners. This is especially true when washing bedding and towels that are too coarse and become unpleasant to use after repeated washing.
Antistatic effect
Anyone who fights static electricity every day will appreciate this benefit. It’s annoying when you can’t wear your favorite clothes because they cling to your body. Adding vinegar to the wash will prevent your items from becoming more electrically charged. Simply add it instead of fabric softener.
Musty smell from smoking and smoke
If your clothes smell of smoke, try adding about 1/2 cup of white vinegar instead of fabric softener during the rinse cycle.
Brightens colors like no other advertised product
Thanks to its composition, vinegar perfectly dissolves the residue left by soaps and detergents. Soaps and various laundry powders cause fabrics to fade and whites to turn dull. Use 1/2 cup of vinegar in the final rinse cycle and you’ll see for yourself that the colors will literally shine.
Dark and black colors won’t fade; they’ll appear deeper
Detergent residues can also leave unsightly marks on dark clothing. Use 1/2 cup of vinegar in the final rinse cycle – you’ll remove detergent residues and dark colors will look richer.
Washing at low temperatures – disinfects and removes mold
Damp items, such as towels or sportswear, or clothes washed at low temperatures can start to smell. Your washer can also smell if you leave damp laundry in it. You can solve this problem by adding 2 cups of vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Rough terry towels feel like new after one wash
A big advantage of using vinegar is that it can soften and smooth any textile. It can make rough towels and dishcloths soft and plush after just one wash.
Eliminates yellow sweat stains
Pour some vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the armpit areas, collars and wrists. Let it soak for about 10 minutes. Wash as usual and when you take the clothes out, the stains are gone.
No hairs, fur and lint
Hairs won’t cling to your clothing. Just add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. This also removes lint from items like towels or a blanket.
Your clothes won’t get statically charged
Anyone who deals with static electricity every day will appreciate this benefit. It’s unpleasant when you can’t put on your favorite clothes because they cling to your body. Adding vinegar to the wash will prevent your items from becoming more electrically charged. Simply add it instead of fabric softener.
Removes even stubborn stains
Vinegar is a very good helper when it comes to stains. It can remove any stain. Just add it to the wash again. If you also add baking soda, it will work 100%.
Prevents clothes from discoloring
Use a small cup of vinegar together with cold water, add it to the wash and you will prevent color transfer of the laundry.
Remove grease stains from suede
Don’t panic if you find grease stains on your suede clothing and accessories. Dip a toothbrush into some vinegar and clean the stain with the vinegar. After drying it should look like new.
Prevents limescale formation
Vinegar protects the washing machine from the formation of mold, limescale, odors and harmful bacteria.
When you definitely should not use vinegar!
If you’re going to wash silk, it’s worth skipping vinegar – it is very sensitive to acids. This also applies to items made of leather, lace, satin, velvet and chiffon.
