Vinegar instead of fabric softener: how can you use this product for a perfect laundering?

It's no secret at all that vinegar is a great, DIY alternative to using regular fabric softener for the laundry. But why is it so effective? And can we really add it to the detergent every time we put a load of clothes into the washing machine? Using white vinegar is, in fact, unnecessary in some case and sometimes its use is to be avoided. Let's find out more:

How to use vinegar instead of fabric softener and the advantages of doing so

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The main reason why it is advisable to use vinegar instead of fabric softener - at least every now and then - is that vinegar can dissolve detergents and fabric softener residue that builds up in the fibers of clothes over time (making them feel stiffer and harder). Once washed this residue is washed away, your clothes will feel much softer.

Additionally, vinegar is more hypoallergenic-friendly than many common fabric softeners: vinegar does not contain additives that can be irritants for your skin. And vinegar is much more eco-friendly than commercial fabric softeners, (which typically contain petroleum derivatives/additives).

Finally, vinegar is also much cheaper than branded fabric softeners. So, how best to use vinegar as softener? Well, there are at least a couple of ways:

• Before washing: use vinegar to eliminate unpleasant odors from your clothes. Just spray some vinegar on the "critical" areas (armpits, back, collars and crotches, for example) and wait about ten minutes starting a regular wasg.
• During a wash: pour half a cup (or a whole cup for large loads) of white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser tray (some pour it directly into the drum). Then, proceed with your regular wash cycle!

Other useful tips for using vinegar in the laundry

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If you're worried about the fact that vinegar has an unpleasant, acrid smell, and that this might get into your clothes, fear not! You can add a few drops of an essential oil you like (3 -5 drops might be enough) to the vinegar your use in your washing machine. Alternatively, you can make a homemade spray with distilled water, a couple of spoonfulls of neat, odorless alcohol and 15-20 drops of an essential oil you like; then spray your clothes with this mixture as soon as they come out of the washing machine to neutralize any "vinegary" smell.

It's also important to remember the following when using vinegar as an alternative fabric softener:

• Don't use vinegar all the time: constant use can damage the internal components of the washing machine, especially rubber parts.
• Avoid using vinegar when you wash elasticated or "technical" materials (such as sports garments). Anything can "stretch" can lose its elasticity when exposed to vinegar.

So, as you can see, using vinegar in your laundry from time to time can be beneficial for your clothes, your wallet and the environment.