Sometimes busy moms find themselves in a bind. It’s good to know that there are simple household products that have a multitude of uses, and it’s even better when those products are as economical as plain old vinegar! Vinegar has been around for over two thousand years, and it’s still proving its worth as a culinary and household miracle worker.
One realm of household chores where vinegar can be invaluable is in the laundry room. From giving your detergent more oomph to removing stains to brightening whites, vinegar is invaluable for keeping your clothes looking fresh! White distilled vinegar is extremely inexpensive and can help with a multitude of laundry tasks.
Difficult Stains
Mustard, ketchup, barbecue sauce and other tough condiment stains are no match for the stain fighting power of vinegar. A half-vinegar, half water solution helps to keep stains from setting and have them wash out more easily.
Brighten Those Whites
Have socks and undershirts gotten to the point where bleach isn’t brightening them anymore? That vague dinginess might be fixable with half a cup of vinegar in a large pot on the stove. Bring it to a rolling boil, add the whites that need brightening, reduce heat and let them soak overnight. Wash normally with detergent the next day.
Smell Fresher
Did you forget to switch the laundry out the night before? If you’ve abandoned a load of clothing in the washer accidentally, you know the musty mildewy smell that results. Add half a cup of vinegar and wash with hot water, then rewash normally with detergent and dry. No more musty!
Maintain Your Laundry Gear
Vinegar is also great for keeping your washing machine and your irons in tip top shape. If you have a steam iron, you’ve probably noticed mineral deposits building up over time. Add vinegar diluted to 50% to the water chamber and steam it out again to help loosen and remove deposits. A cup of vinegar in the wash cycle (without laundry or detergent) will also help clear up soap scum and mineral deposits in your washer.