It turns out that this super versatile cleaner can save your laundry in more than one way!
Here’s what happens when you add vinegar to your laundry!
Growing up my grandfather always cleaned with vinegar. I just thought it had such a strange smell. I never understood it until………. I became an adult with 4 kids. He was right this whole time. Vinegar really is the “do it all miracle cleaner”.
Not only can it be used as a produce wash, but these 7 vinegar cleaning laundry tips will make cleaning a whole lot easier (and cheaper too).
1. Freshens Your Washing Machine
Pour 1-2 cups of vinegar directly into your washing machine’s detergent dispenser and run a cycle on hot. You can also clean out the inside of the drum with a microfiber towel and some vinegar. Hate the smell of vinegar? Use lemon instead. Be sure to remove any seeds. The acidity of the lemon acts in the same way as vinegar.
Vinegar is also great for wiping down the rubber gasket of a front loading washing machine. This reduces the amount of bacteria build-up that leads to unwanted odors.
Check out this video below. I show you how to clean your washing machine with lemon.
2. Cleans Delicate Items Such as Baby Clothes
Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser of your washing machine. Adding vinegar to your laundry will not only clean the items, but they will come out smelling fresh.
3. Cleans Your Iron
Mineral build-up can occur on your iron just like on your shower heads and taps. Over time, this impacts the pressure and effectiveness of these household items. Simply pour ½ cup of vinegar and ½ cup water into your iron and steam a cloth for approx. 15 minutes.
4. Softens Blankets & Jeans
Build up can also occur on your fabrics making them less comfortable against your skin. Use vinegar as a fabric softener and it will help repel lint, just like a dryer sheet! Add ¼ – ½ cup to your washer’s softener dispenser and wash as normal.
Related: The Best Products to Keep Your Home Clean & Organized
5. Removes Odors
Vinegar can tend to have a strange smell. If you have an aversion to the smell, try adding a few drops of essential oils to your vinegar mixtures. I have noticed that the vinegar smell goes away rather quickly. Citric acid is another great alternate to vinegar.
Check out this video below. I show you how to clean your toilet tank with the power of citric acid!
6. Pre-Treat Stains
To pre-treat stains with vinegar, fill a bottle with equal parts water and equal parts vinegar. Test a small area first. Spray directly on the stain and launder as normal. For extra stain fighting action, add about 1-2 tsp of baking soda to the mixture (depending on the size of your stain). The combination of vinegar and baking soda give it an extra boost of cleaning power.
7. Removes Built Up From Fabric Softener
I hate to admit, but my microfiber towels recently got washed with fabric softener (a big no-no). As a result, all of the mirrors in my house became streaky and full of film. To rid the microfiber of the fabric softener, I did a soak of equal parts water and vinegar for about 20 minutes. I added a little dawn dish-soap for some extra degreasing action. I rinsed them out and dried on low heat and my microfiber towels were back to new again!
Note – I would not wash microfiber with vinegar on a regular basis. Use only in rare circumstances.
Bonus – Looking for an alternative to dryer sheets? Try these wool dryer balls. They even reduce your drying time. Add several drops of essential oil (I like lavender) to the balls, throw them in the dryer with your clothes, and your laundry will come out smelling better than ever.
CHECK OUT THIS ENTIRE VINEGAR CLEANING HACK PLAYLIST
HERE ARE SOME EASY STAIN REMOVAL TECHNIQUES TOO
Check out “Andrea Jean Cleaning” on YouTube to see more AMAZING Cleaning & Life Hacks!