Washing Clothes With Vinegar Instead Of Detergent

You probably invest a lot of money and effort in keeping your wardrobe of clothes up to date. The last thing you want is for them to start looking worn and lack luster after only a short period of time. This is why you need to make sure that you wash your clothes in the right way.

There are many solutions you can use to improve fabric care when you wash clothing and other items. Did you know you can save money and take better care of your clothes by using washing clothes with scented vinegar? This is a great way to get a taste of that homesteading life and natural living.

Why Vinegar Works

The acetic acid in vinegar works on your clothes and helps to leave them in a fresh and clean condition. It can act as a boost to the normal detergent that you use when you do your regular wash. This is not the only benefit that vinegar can provide; it can also help to soften hard water which protects the parts of your washing machine.

The problem with vinegar is that it has a very distinctive smell. This means that your clothes will be clean, but everyone will know when you’re around. You may even find that some people prefer not to associate with you.

This is why it is a great idea to use scented vinegar. The addition of tantalizing smells such as eucalyptus, thyme, lavender and bergamot will ensure your clothes smell as fresh as any meadow.

Washing Clothes With Vinegar

Using vinegar during your regular clothes wash is simple; you just need to add around half a cup of vinegar to your automatic detergent dispenser instead of laundry detergent. If the clothes you are washing are delicate, limit the amount of vinegar you use to around 2-3 tablespoons full. 

If your clothes are especially dirty, add the vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser and add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the powdered detergent dispenser or put straight into the washing bin before putting your clothes in.

Another benefit of washing with vinegar is that it’s much better for decorated garments. In particular, clothing with heat transfer vinyl designs can be damaged by harsh laundry detergents and fabric softeners. Vinegar is fine to use with HTV and other transfers as it won’t break down the adhesives.

Remove Stains With Vinegar

You are not limited to adding vinegar to your wash; it can also help with stain removal. There are many different types of stains that can be removed using vinegar, sometimes in conjunction with water and other items. For instance, if you find a tomato stain on your kids’ clothes, you can soak it with vinegar and then place the garment in the wash as usual. If you spill tea or coffee on a shirt, simply soak the stain in a solution consisting of a third of a cup of vinegar and two thirds of a cup of water. Once you have done this, hang the shirt outside to dry, then place it with the rest of the laundry to be washed.

Vinegar is something that many people have in their home anyway, but it is advisable to purchase scented vinegar which is relatively inexpensive. You can then use it every time you do the laundry. Adding just a small amount of vinegar to the wash can make a big difference. It helps to banish stains and odors and leaves your clothes looking bright and fresh.