How to Clean with Vinegar: Easy Ways to Use This Pantry Staple

How to Clean Your Clothes with Vinegar

Vinegar is a helpful ingredient for a number of DIY laundry hacks, including refreshing clothes that have an unpleasant or musty smell. While you’ll still need laundry detergent in the end to actually “wash” your clothes, adding vinegar as one step in the cleaning process works wonders to remove odors—and actually removes them, rather than just masking them.

If you have clothes that have been in storage for a while (or got forgotten in the washing machine) and have developed an odor, vinegar can help. Try this process to deodorize your laundry:

1. Load the washing machine with your clothes.
2. Add 1 quart of white vinegar.
3. Run a cycle using warm or hot water (depending on the care labels on the clothes in question), but no detergent.
4. Run through a second cycle, using detergent as normal.

How to Remove Stains with Vinegar

Vinegar is one of the most versatile DIY stain removers out there. Whether you’re tackling upholstery, carpets, or clothing, variations on a white vinegar solution can make a big difference, all without expensive or harsh chemical products.

There are several different “recipes” for vinegar stain-fighting solutions, each with different strengths. For tackling odorous stains, like pet stains on carpet, try a solution pairing vinegar with baking soda for odor-lifting fizzing power.

Make your stain-fighting solution using this process:

1. In a spray bottle, mix 1 cup of water, 1 cup of white vinegar, and 3 teaspoons of baking soda.
2. Spray the solution all over the stain and the area immediately surrounding it.
3. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes.
4. Blot with a clean paper towel or cloth, and then repeat if necessary.

Cleaning upholstery also requires particular care, since stains can’t be submerged for removal and any lingering stains or damage will likely be very visible. You can try two different methods: combining vinegar with dish soap or with rubbing alcohol.

For the dish soap method, follow these steps:

1. Combine 1 cup each of white vinegar and water. Make sure the water is cool to room temperature—warm or hot water just sets stains further.
2. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of liquid dish soap.
3. Dip a clean cloth into the solution and blot the stain. Start from the edges and work inward toward the center of the stained area.
4. Blot with a fresh, damp cloth to remove any detergent residue.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 if necessary.

If you’re dealing with a tannin-based stain (such as cranberries or red wine), a rubbing alcohol solution may work better. Try this process:

1. In a plastic (not metal) bowl, mix 2/3 cup of rubbing alcohol and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar.
2. Dip a clean cloth into the solution, then blot the stain gently.
3. Once the stain has been lifted, blot the area again with a clean cloth and clear, cool water.

For stains on clothes, towels, or other fabric items that can be fully submerged or laundered in a machine, try this process instead:

1. In a sink or bucket, mix a solution using 4 cups of cool water, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent.
2. Fully submerge the item and let soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Rinse thoroughly with clear, cool water.
4. Run through the laundry as you normally would.

How to Clean Your Washing Machine with Vinegar

Clothes themselves aren’t the only thing in your laundry room that can be cleaned with vinegar. From time to time, it’s important to clean your washing machine itself to avoid a buildup of odors, bacteria, and other things that you definitely don’t want getting on your clothes.

For a simple cleaning cycle, just follow these steps:

1. Leave your machine empty, and set it to run a hot cycle.
2. Put 2 cups of white vinegar in the drum.
3. After the cycle completes, use a solution of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts warm water and wipe down the corners of the machine. Pay particular attention to the opening of the door or lid of the machine, as well as the bump or lip just inside the opening.
4. Run another empty, hot cycle, this one just with water.
5. Leave the door or lid open for a few hours to let any remaining water evaporate.

How to Clean Faucets with Vinegar

At some point, pretty much every faucet or showerhead develops a buildup of minerals and other “gunk.” When left too long, the buildups can affect the water flow and just looks dirty.

Letting vinegar saturate the area can work wonders for removing the mineral buildup. Just follow these steps:

1. Saturate paper towels with pure white vinegar.
2. Wrap the saturated paper towels against the faucet or showerhead, ensuring that it wraps closely around the mineral buildup area.
3. Place a plastic baggie around the wrapped faucet and secure everything with a rubber band.
4. Let sit for approximately 1 hour.
5. Remove and wipe down with a clean, damp paper towel or sponge.

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Instead of stocking up on specialty cleaning products, you can streamline your cleaning routine by learning the best ways to use white vinegar to get things spotless. Your house—and your wallet—will thank you!