For vibrant colors, especially whites, add a cup of vinegar to your washing machine’s fabric softener compartment during the wash cycle. The vinegar helps remove detergent residue that dulls the color of fabrics, leaving them bright and fresh. For especially delicate or color-sensitive garments, dilute the vinegar with an equal amount of water and soak the garment in this solution for 20 minutes before washing. This method helps adjust colors and prevent fading.
5. Whiter sheets and towels with vinegar
Vinegar’s natural bleaching properties make it an excellent choice for keeping clothes and towels bright and white. Unlike chemical bleach, which can be harsh on fabrics and cause yellowing over time, vinegar gently lightens fabrics and keeps them soft.
To whiten towels, clothes, or other light-colored garments, simply add a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment during normal washing. For a more intense bleaching, soak clothes in a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts warm water for an hour before running them through a wash cycle. This process helps break down dirt and mineral deposits that can make fabrics look dull and dirty over time.
