The Facts About Using Vinegar in Laundry

Let’s talk vinegar. I see it everywhere—on blogs, in laundry hacks, and passed around on social media. People swear by it. And while there’s some truth in there, let’s get real about what vinegar can—and can’t—do for your laundry.

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Can Vinegar Deodorize Clothes?

Kind of.

If you're thinking about dumping a half cup of vinegar into the washing machine to freshen things up, I hate to break it to you—it’s not going to do much. Once it's diluted in all that water, it's basically just… water with a whiff of vinegar.

Now, if you’re really trying to deodorize something, here’s the trick: soak it. Fill a basin or sink with hot water, add about a half cup of vinegar, and let it sit. That’s where the magic happens.

Is Vinegar a Fabric Softener?

Yes, but not for the reason you think.

Vinegar doesn’t soften fabric the way commercial softeners do. It actually works because it cuts soap. That’s right, vinegar neutralizes detergent. So when you add it in the rinse cycle, it helps rinse out leftover soap, and that’s what makes your clothes feel soft.

But here’s the kicker: if vinegar is making your clothes softer, it probably means you're using too much detergent to begin with. Want softer laundry without the vinegar? Just use less detergent. You really only need about two tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent, if that is what you are using, per load. As most of you already know, I use Laundry Soap Flakes, and for these you only need about one tablespoon per load. Problem solved!

So…Should You Use Vinegar in Your Laundry?

Yes, but only in the right way.

The bottom line? Use it wisely, and you’ll get the results you’re looking for, without the guesswork!