Adding vinegar to your washing machine can help remove odors due to its acidic nature and natural deodorizing properties. Here's how it works:
Neutralizing alkaline odors: Many odors in laundry, such as sweat, body oils, and certain food stains, are acidic in nature. However, detergents used in washing machines are often alkaline to help break down and remove stains effectively. Sometimes, the residual alkaline components of the detergent can trap the acidic odors, causing them to linger. Vinegar, being acidic, can help neutralize these alkaline odors, reducing their intensity and making your laundry smell fresher.
Breaking down odor-causing substances: Vinegar has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help break down and eliminate odor-causing bacteria and mildew that might be present in your laundry. These microorganisms thrive in moist environments like damp towels or workout clothes and can lead to unpleasant smells. Vinegar's acidic nature disrupts their growth, thus reducing the associated odors.
Removing detergent residue: Sometimes, the buildup of detergent residue can contribute to a musty or sour smell in your washing machine or on your clothes. Vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener and can help dissolve and wash away detergent buildup, leaving your laundry smelling fresher.
To use vinegar in your washing machine:
Load your laundry as usual and set the appropriate water temperature and cycle for the load.
Instead of using fabric softener or bleach, add about 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar (distilled vinegar) to the fabric softener compartment or directly to the final rinse water. The amount may vary depending on the size of the load and the severity of the odors.
Let the washing machine complete the cycle as usual.
Once the cycle is finished, remove your laundry promptly to avoid any additional odors from developing.
Keep in mind the following tips:
Do not use vinegar in combination with bleach or products containing chlorine, as this can produce harmful fumes.
Test a small inconspicuous area of your clothes or fabrics with vinegar first to ensure it doesn't cause any discoloration or damage.
While vinegar can be effective for general odors, it may not completely remove strong or persistent smells. In such cases, it's best to address the specific cause of the odor or consider using specialized odor removers.
If your washing machine already has a strong vinegar smell from previous uses, run an empty cycle with hot water and some baking soda to clean and deodorize the machine.