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Looking for practical tips for using vinegar in the wash? Read on to discover how to do this household panacea can make the most of it and when it is better to avoid it. Find out how vinegar can help your wasroutine can transform and which pitfalls you should avoid. Be surprised by the versatility of vinegar in the laundry!
The Benefits of Vinegar in Laundry
Vinegar is versatile natural cleaning product which has numerous applications in the laundry room. From removing stains to eliminating odors, vinegar can be a useful addition to your laundry routine.
- Stain Removal: Vinegar works effectively in removing low-pH stains such as coffee, tea, fruit juice, wine and beer.
- Mold and Mildew Removal: Distilled white vinegar is powerful at removing mold or mildew from fabrics.
- Odor removal: Vinegar removes product buildup that traps odor-causing bacteria, making your clothes smell less fresh after washing.
- Fabric softener: Vinegar has natural properties that soften fabrics.
When to Avoid Vinegar in the Laundry
Although vinegar has many benefits, there are also situations in which you should avoid it.
With chlorine bleach: It is vital to never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach. This combination results in a chemical reaction that can produce dangerous and potentially fatal fumes.
Regular Use: Vinegar should not be used routinely because its acidity can damage the seals and hoses in your washing machine, leading to expensive repairs.
For Elastic Fabrics: Avoid excessive use of vinegar when washing sportswear or clothing with elastic, as the acidity can break down the elastic over time.
When You Can Use Vinegar in the Laundry
The best use of vinegar in laundry is to address specific problems, such as mold and mildew. Unlike chlorine bleach, which can only be used on white clothes, vinegar is safe for colored fabrics.
Warning
Never mix vinegar and chlorine bleach; use one of the two, but never both together.
Use vinegar as a solution to address specific problems rather than as a preventive measure. An example is removing musty odors from towels.
Alternatives to Using Vinegar in Laundry
With the rise of sportswear, manufacturers have introduced innovative products designed to address specific laundry concerns.
One of these products is Downy Rinse & Refresh, an alternative to traditional fabric softeners that dissolves and removes odors and residues. HEX also introduced wet dryer sheets specifically designed to clean and protect activewear.
Another smart approach is to use drug ball which ensure that the laundry clumps less, which shortens drying time and reduces wrinkling, making the use of expensive fabric softeners unnecessary.
