Top Ten to keep Vinegar in your Laundry Room

Here's why.  The acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. This prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer, and attacks mold and mildew, and more.  Below are 13 common problems with easy vinager solutions.


Reduce static cling and keep lint from sticking to clothes: add 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the wash cycle.


Water & salt stains off shoes and boots: Wiping them down with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and water.

Perspiration odor and stains as well as those left by deodorants: Spray full-strength white distilled vinegar on underarm and collar areas before tossing them into the washing machine.

Holes left along the hemline when you let out the hem: Moisten a cloth with white distilled vinegar, placing it under the fabric, then iron.

Mildew smell on wet towels or laundry left in washer: Pour a few cups of white distilled vinegar in the machine and wash the clothes in hot water. Then run a normal cycle with detergent.

Dull, faded black clothes:  Use white distilled vinegar in your final rinse.  The soap residue makes black look dull.


Dingy whites :. Add 1 cup white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water, bring it to a rolling boil and drop in the articles. Let soak overnight.

Bring out bright colors: Add 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Acidic stains like mustard spaghetti, barbecue, or ketchup stains: Dab with white distilled vinegar.

Smoky odors on clothes: Fill the bathtub with very hot water and 1 cup white distilled vinegar. Hang the garments above the steaming water and shut the door so the steam can penetrate the fibers.