Yes—vinegar can be useful in laundry, but the viral claim that it is a magic whitening treatment is overstated.
The right way to use vinegar in laundry
- For softer towels: Add about ½ cup (120 mL) of plain white distilled vinegar to the washing machine’s fabric-softener dispenser during the rinse cycle. It can help remove detergent residue and odors.
- For whites: Vinegar may help with odor and detergent/mineral buildup, making fabrics look fresher, but it is not a replacement for oxygen bleach or laundry detergent when you need significant whitening.
- Don’t mix vinegar with chlorine bleach. Combining them can produce dangerous chlorine gas.
- Don’t pour vinegar directly onto clothing repeatedly; its acidity can potentially damage some fabrics and elastic over time.
- Check your washing machine’s instructions because manufacturers differ on whether they recommend vinegar.
For towels specifically, using too much detergent or fabric softener can actually make them less absorbent. A proper rinse and avoiding excessive softener often makes a bigger difference than vinegar.
