Vinegar is a budget-friendly, eco-friendly addition to your laundry routine with many benefits. Distilled white vinegar, with a pH of 2.5, is effective at cleaning, softening towels, removing stains, and eliminating odors. Here’s how it can improve your laundry:

Eliminate Odors: Vinegar removes odors, including mildew and sweat. Add 2 cups to a hot wash for towels, or ½ cup during the rinse cycle for clothing. Remove Stains: Treat stains by applying vinegar before washing, or soak fabrics in a mix of 1 cup vinegar and 2 cups warm water. Preserve Colors: Add a cup of vinegar to the final rinse to prevent fading in dark clothes. Combat Lint and Static: Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle to reduce static and remove lint. Substitute for Fabric Softener: Use vinegar in the fabric softener compartment to soften clothes and break down detergent buildup. Gentle Whitening: Brighten white fabrics by adding 1½ cups of vinegar to the wash or soaking whites overnight in a vinegar-water solution.