How to use white vinegar in laundry

Using white vinegar in laundry may seem like an unconventional way to remove odors and brighten your clothes – but it’s a technique that experts love.

Table of Contents Show

Using white vinegar in laundry – the expert-approved tip that makes washing simple
Why use white vinegar in laundry?
1. Using white vinegar to get rid of odors
2. Using white vinegar to brighten your wash
3. Using white vinegar to clean your washing machine
Can I use vinegar and laundry detergent together?
What does white vinegar do for laundry?
What happens if you mix white vinegar and laundry detergent?

If you’re a vintage fashion enthusiast – or you’ve forgotten about the washing in your machine for a day (or two) too long, then you have probably asked yourself how to get rid of a foisty scent permanently. However, the secret to success may be a kitchen staple that will elevate your laundry room ideas instantly.

Here’s why using white vinegar in laundry will change your washing routine for good.

Using white vinegar in laundry – the expert-approved tip that makes washing simple

(Image credit: Tom Howley)

White vinegar is great for deodorizing clothes, but its qualities don’t end there. This is how to clean with vinegar for spotless, scentless clothes – and a sparkling clean washing machine.

Why use white vinegar in laundry?

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

According to Parenting and Lifestyle Expert Dr. Karen Aronian (opens in new tab), white vinegar is one of the best ways to remove odors without worrying about adding chemics to your wash.

For example, in the case of recycled pieces, the clothing may have laundry detergent, softener, dryer sheet fragrance, or personal perfume from the previous owner in the fabric. However, this can cause issues for your washing, as the odor and chemicals can bleed into your wash.

‘It can be extremely difficult to get this odor out of clothing with a basic machine or hand wash,’ Karen says. ‘The ‘perfumes and odors make the item unwearable for scent-sensitive people (especially babies). Therefore, the expert suggests turning to white vinegar.

1. Using white vinegar to get rid of odors

(Image credit: Future / © Tom Meadows)

Dr. Karen recommends creating a mixture of 1/4 of white vinegar and 3/4 of cold water before soaking your clothes in the solution overnight. In the morning, the items are ready to go and ‘rendered scentless.’

Cleaning expert Cristy Harfmann (opens in new tab) agrees. If you’re wondering how to wash towels or clothes that may have a bad odor, then adding 1/4 to 1 cup of vinegar to the washer during the last rinse cycle will get rid of the scent quickly.

‘It will remove the smells without making your clothes smell like vinegar,’ Cristy says. ‘If the smells still exist, you can replace detergent with vinegar and add it a second time in the rinse cycle,’ she says.

2. Using white vinegar to brighten your wash

(Image credit: Alessia Zanchi Loffredo/reDesign home/Ryan McDonald)

While white vinegar is best known as a deodorizer, it is also an effective brightener and softener. To brighten your clothes, Cristy suggests adding vinegar to the bleach dispenser. To soften your clothes, you should add one cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle via your fabric softener dispenser (instead of fabric softener).

3. Using white vinegar to clean your washing machine

(Image credit: Eye for Pretty Design)

Knowing how to clean a washing machine can feel like a tedious chore, but you can maintain its shine easily with this versatile ingredient.

Cristy suggests adding one cup of vinegar to an empty washing machine and running it once a month. ‘This removes soapy residue from your washing machine tub,’ she explains. It really is that quick, simple, but nonetheless effective.

If you're curious about how natural cleaning products work or why baking soda is such a powerful ingredient, you've come to the right place. We'll explain the science behind some of the most popular cleaning methods and tools, so you can clean smarter—not harder. Follow along with Clean Science to see which technique we break down next.

Bathing laundry in a vinegar rinse involves exactly what you would expect: pouring in a half-cup of white distilled vinegar during a load's rinse cycle. You might be wondering why this is such a popular practice. After all, won't stinky vinegar rob freshly-washed garments of their clean scent? It's an understandable question, but the solution is actually the ultimate post-wash ingredient; it has a low pH, which makes it an effective tool against stubborn residues, odors, and other buildup. Ahead, two experts explain why a vinegar rinse is a must on wash day.

Related: 20 Unexpected Ways to Use Vinegar Around the House

open washing machine with clothes

How Are Pet-Hair Vacuums Different from Regular Models?

Can I use vinegar and laundry detergent together?

Before going further, we have to warn you: adding vinegar or baking soda to the wash along with your laundry detergent increases the risk of poorer cleaning performance, as detergents are optimized for a specific pH level, which is altered by the presence of these two household additives in the wash.

What does white vinegar do for laundry?

Using vinegar in laundry will whiten, brighten, reduce odors, and soften clothes without harsh chemicals. Vinegar is inexpensive, and it's safe to use in both standard and high-efficiency washers. When buying vinegar for laundry, choose distilled white vinegar.

What happens if you mix white vinegar and laundry detergent?

Do mix: Laundry detergent and vinegar. By adding one cup of vinegar to your laundry cycle you can gain many extra benefits. Vinegar kills off bacteria, gives your clothes a fresh scent, keeps them lint-free, and brightens them.