To combat any unwanted smells emanating from your laundry, Southern Living recommended using white vinegar for the job. The experts recommend adding half a cup to one cup of white vinegar into the washing machine’s dispenser.
However, if the appliance doesn’t have a specified compartment, dilute the vinegar with a cup of water before adding it directly to the machine.
White vinegar can be used as a natural fabric softener, which can help to break down any detergent residue, mineral deposits, or any ‘body soil’ such as sweat, body oils, and dead skin cells.
These can make clothes feel stiff and scratchy. By adding vinegar to the washing machine dispenser, it can work to break down all of the things that can make clothes uncomfortable.
Other benefits to using vinegar for laundry include its ability to brighten and white clothes, banish unwanted mildew smells, as well as unwanted sweat or strong odours. It can even prevent pet hair and lint from clinging to clothes.
However, if the vinegar isn’t used properly or used too much, it can cause damage to fabric, or lead to corrosion in the washing machine.
Regular or excessive use of vinegar in the washing machine can cause the rubber parts and the seals of washing machines to degrade.
Jennifer Kaminshi, from Affresh appliance care, told Better Homes & Gardens: “White vinegar is an acid that can break down the rubber gaskets and hoses in your washing machine, leading to costly damage.”
Better Homes & Gardens also warned that white vinegar shouldn’t be used all the time with various different washes. Namely, you shouldn’t be using vinegar with chlorine bleach or any products that contain chlorine bleach.
