While caring for our family not having many resources, I found white vinegar was a cost-effective way to clean our clothes and keep our environment clean. I could get white vinegar with our food card or at a local food distribution pantry when cleaning supplies and laundry detergents were expensive or scarce. To my delight, I found white vinegar much better than the costly cleaning supplies. My aunt showed me how to soak our baby’s cloth diapers in a bucket of white vinegar and WOW! They would look so clean and white.
White vinegar is a versatile, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solution that can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks in your home. From brightening your clothes to disinfecting surfaces, here’s how you can use white vinegar for laundry and cleaning.
Using White Vinegar for Laundry
White vinegar is a miracle product when it comes to laundry1. It can brighten clothes, remove stains, eliminate odors, and even act as a natural fabric softener1.
Stain Removal
Vinegar is excellent at tackling stubborn stains. Especially on white fabrics, vinegar can be added directly to your laundry or used as part of a pre-treating soaking solution1. It’s particularly useful for getting rid of oil-based stains, but it can also tackle grass, rust, and coffee spots1.
Mildew Removal
Mold and mildew can form on wet clothes and towels when left sitting around. Luckily, vinegar can help with this. Because white vinegar is an acidic solution, its deodorizing and stain-removing properties also often work on mildew1.
Odor Elimination
Vinegar can help neutralize odors on clothes, especially when the odor is caused by sweat. A quick vinegar rinse or soak can help break down even the worst smells1.
Softening Clothes
If your clothes often feel stiff after coming out of the laundry, adding some vinegar to the load can help. Vinegar softens clothes by breaking down excess detergent that remains, making clothes feel stiff1.
To use white vinegar in your laundry, simply add two cups of it to your washing machine’s detergent compartment2. Do not add detergent. Wash your clothes on a hot cycle2.
Using White Vinegar for Cleaning
White vinegar is an effective cleaning agent that you probably already have in your house. It’s great for countertops, sinks, bathrooms, stainless steel appliances, and even windows3.
To make a cleaning solution with white vinegar, simply dilute it with water in a 1:1 ratio (equal parts vinegar and water)4. This creates a non-toxic and effective cleaning solution that’s safe to use on most surfaces4.
You can also make an all-purpose cleaner by combining two-parts vinegar and one-part water in a spray bottle3. If you don’t like the smell, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil3.
Remember to exercise caution when using vinegar for cleaning as it isn’t suited to all materials1. Avoid mixing vinegar with bleach or chlorine bleach products as the combination is highly toxic and shouldn’t be inhaled56.
In conclusion, white vinegar is an inexpensive and eco-friendly alternative to commercial cleaning products. Whether you’re doing laundry or cleaning your home, this natural cleaner can help you maintain cleanliness while being kind to the environment.