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Can you use vinegar in laundry?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 24, 2026

Vinegar is an excellent substitute for laundry detergent — it's inexpensive, effective, and earth-friendly. It can be used for a range of detergent needs, including as a bleach, deodorizer, and a fabric softener.

Can you use vinegar and laundry detergent together?

You can't mix laundry detergent and vinegar when washing clothes. A mixture of both substances will result in a neutral solution that may impede washing because most detergents are alkaline, whereas vinegar is acidic. However, you can use both during a single wash, provided you use them separately.

How do I use vinegar in my washing machine?

Set your washing machine to run on its highest and hottest setting. Add in four cups of white vinegar, and turn it on. Once it's filled up and barely started, however, pause the washing machine and just let the water and vinegar sit for an hour. While you wait, you can tackle the rest of the washing machine's surfaces.

Can vinegar damage your washing machine?

Just as it does in a dishwasher, vinegar can harm rubber parts inside a washing machine, which will eventually lead to leaks. Though laundering your clothes with vinegar is a cost-effective, natural way to soften and deodorize fabrics, avoid using it in your washer too frequently.

What does white vinegar do for laundry?

The acidic nature of white vinegar can be used as a fabulous clothes whitener and brightener of dingy white and colored clothes. Add a half cup of vinegar to your wash during the rinse cycle to brighten clothes. You can use the fabric softener dispenser or just add it manually during the rinse cycle.

23 related questions found

Is distilled vinegar the same as white vinegar?

Most people agree that the basic difference is the level of purity. Simply put, distilled vinegar has been purified more than white vinegar. Furthermore, there are some dissimilarities when it comes to chemical structure, production, and usage. White vinegar is sometimes also referred to as spirit vinegar.

Which vinegar is best for cleaning?

White distilled vinegar is the best vinegar for cleaning because it doesn't contain a coloring agent. Therefore, it won't stain surfaces. Staining can happen when cleaning with a darker-colored vinegar.

What is the difference between white vinegar and regular vinegar?

Regular, white vinegar consists of about 5% acetic acid and 95% water. On the other hand, cleaning vinegar has an acidity of 6%. That 1% more acidity makes it 20% stronger than white vinegar.

Can you use apple cider vinegar instead of vinegar?

Cider vinegar is made from fermented apple cider and is mild with a subtle hint of apple flavor. It is the most versatile of the kind vinegar and makes a good substitute for almost any other.

Which cleans better white vinegar or apple cider vinegar?

Is apple cider vinegar or white vinegar better for cleaning? Both ACV and white vinegar are effective natural cleaners. ACV doesn't smell as harsh as white vinegar, but since white vinegar is slightly more acidic than ACV, it's a stronger cleaning agent.

Which is stronger white vinegar or apple cider vinegar?

What's the difference between apple cider vinegar and white vinegar? White vinegar has 5% to 10% acetic acid, making it the strongest vinegar of them all. It's clear in color and has a clean, highly sour taste. Apple cider vinegar contains 4% to 6% acetic acid.

Can you use normal vinegar instead of white vinegar for cleaning?

The answer is all in the acidity. Vinegar is made of acetic acid which is a colorless organic compound, strong enough to kill bacteria, banish stains and get rid of nasty odors (besides the vinegar smell!). What's more, acetic acid is also an ingredient found in some household cleaners available in the stores.

What should you not clean with vinegar?

What You Should NEVER Clean With Vinegar

  • Granite and marble countertops. "The acid in vinegar can etch natural stone," says Forte. ...
  • Stone floor tiles. ...
  • Egg stains or spills. ...
  • Irons. ...
  • Hardwood floors. ...
  • Truly stubborn stains.

Can you use pickling vinegar for cleaning?

Because it's stronger than plain white distilled vinegar. While distilled vinegar is about 5 per cent acetic acid, pickling vinegar is about 7 per cent acetic acid, which means I can make it go further. Here are 8 reasons I'm enjoying the switch to cleaning with vinegar: It's cheap.

What kind of vinegar do you use for laundry?

To clean your clothes with vinegar, put 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar in your washing machine's detergent compartment. You don't need to add any other detergents.

Where do you put vinegar in laundry?

For softening your clothes, add the vinegar to your fabric softener dispenser. To fight mild odors, add it directly to the washing machine basin during the rinse cycle, or use it in place of regular detergent and add it again during the rinse cycle if you need to remove really strong odors.

Is white vinegar a good fabric softener?

Here's what you need to do:

Simply add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser or to a fabric softener ball. The white vinegar will act as a fabric softener AND it will keep your washing machine smelling fresh and clean!