vinegar instead of Downey?

[lisaj68]

Did I read somewhere on these boards that some of you use vinegar instead of fabric softener???? I could be losing it !!!!

If so, does it eliminate the static when clothes are run through the dryer? Or do you still use a (half!!) dryer sheet?

If you do still use the dryer sheet, what is the purpose of the vinegar?

Thanks!!
Lisa

P.S. I have started using the vinegar in my dishwasher and can't tell the difference between it and the Jet Dry! Can't even smell it!! Thanks for that hint!!!

Also, I use a spray bottle and put in vinegar, water and a little amonia for my windows! Streak free!!

Vinegar....! It's not just for breakfast anymore!!!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

I don't use vinegar instead of Downey, but I do use it from time to time on my white load to help remove the mineral build up that turns them yellow.

 

[Chickysmom]

personally, used it once in the washer and did not like the outcome. clothes were lightly scented of it. maybe i used too much? but i do love it in the dishwasher!

 

[ldb1030]

personally, used it once in the washer and did not like the outcome. clothes were lightly scented of it. maybe i used too much? but i do love it in the dishwasher!

how do you use it in your dishwasher?

 

[Chickysmom]

Use vinegar instead of Jet Dry...super cheap and just as good!

 

[Chickysmom]

Oh, and I got that idea from this board too!

 

[lisaj68]

Already had a load of darks in cold going with vinegar when I posted this thread! oops! Laundry does smell "salad-ish" !!

Hopefully, the 1/2 dry sheet will cover the smell! Otherwise DH won't be happy!

Thanks again!

 

[virginiamama]

I use vinegar instead of a regular softener because my DSs have eczema. The clothes smell a little bit like vinegar when they are wet but by the time they are dry they just smell clean. It also takes the funk out of funky towels. I will now have to try it in the dishwasher since I have a HUGE jug of it at home. I also use it to mop my floors, about 2/3 of a cup to a half-bucket of water.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Already had a load of darks in cold going with vinegar when I posted this thread! oops! Laundry does smell "salad-ish" !!

Hopefully, the 1/2 dry sheet will cover the smell! Otherwise DH won't be happy!

Thanks again!

I rinse the load twice(once just water once with small amount of Downey) to get rid of the salad smell.

 

[T. Lynn]

I think it was substituting vinegar with jet dry. I read that the other day as well.

 

[Imzadi]

I don't use it as a fabric softener. I DO use it as an odor eliminator in clothes. I had bought the Febreze for Laundry & it worked but was so pricey.

I had tried adding one cup of vinegar instead, as someone recommended & it didn't do anything. But after so many people recommended it on another thread, I gave it another try.

I use two cups now, added during the wash. It works fabulously! The clothes do smell slightly of vinegar coming out of the wash, but by the time they come out of the drier (with a Downey sheet added) they smell fabulous. I noticed the Downey scent stayed in the clothes weeks longer than when I didn't use vinegar. Even the cat loves to lay on the fresh laundry.

Before I used the vinegar, even with a Downey/Bounce sheet, the scent would only last a few hours then I'd notice the slight body odor smell would return to the clothes, like they never got FULLY removed in the wash. I thought I'd eventually have to toss my t-shirts, even though they were fine otherwise. I didn't want the smelly clothes.

It wasn't until the vinegar, that I realised how much residual smells could get trapped in clothing so that better scents, like Downey can't penetrate in. The fact that the clothes now smell so wonderful, for so long, makes it apparent.

 

[lisaj68]

I use vinegar instead of a regular softener because my DSs have eczema. The clothes smell a little bit like vinegar when they are wet but ** the time they are dry they just smell clean. It also takes the funk out of funky towels. I will now have to try it in the dishwasher since I have a HUGE jug of it at home. I also use it to mop my floors, about 2/3 of a cup to a half-bucket of water.

Well, Darnit! Now I wish I HADN'T put the fabric sheet in the dryer with the clothes!! I already have another load in the washer, but I put in a little bit of Downy. Okay, NEXT load....vinegar ONLY !!!

If this keeps the static out, I will save a TON of money on fabric softener every month!! Okay, five bucks.....but hey! Five bucks more for WDW

 

[SplshMtn99]

OK, so let me get this straight:
Wash clothes with detergent & 2 cups vinegar.
Dry with 1/2 of dryer sheet.
Darn, I just finished the laundry too. Next time.

And use vinegar in dishwasher instead of jetdry. Oh, good, I can cross jetdry off grocery list because I'm totally out.

Do I have everything correct? lol Oh....is the vinegar going in WITH the laundry detergent...or does it go into the liquid fabric softerner dispenser in the center of washing machine? And am I leaving out the liquid fabric softener totally? And just using dryer sheets?

Jeesh....I thought I knew how to do laundry...but not so sure anymore. lol

 

[T. Lynn]

Also, to clean out the dishwasher, use 1-2 scoops of Tang. It will look brand new.

 

[hlane]

What kind of vinegar do I use??

 

[Maybelle]

I use vinegar mixed with water to clean my shower tile and bathroom floor tile.

I'm going to try it in the dishwasher. I had heard about the tang thing, but haven't tried it yet.

 

[S. C.]

I don't use it as a fabric softener. I DO use it as an odor eliminator in clothes. I had bought the Febreze for Laundry & it worked but was so pricey.

I had tried adding one cup of vinegar instead, as someone recommended & it didn't do anything. But after so many people recommended it on another thread, I gave it another try.

I use two cups now, added during the wash. It works fabulously! The clothes do smell slightly of vinegar coming out of the wash, but ** the time they come out of the drier (with a Downey sheet added) they smell fabulous. I noticed the Downey scent stayed in the clothes about weeks longer than when I didn't use vinegar. Even the cat loves to lay on the fresh laundry.

Before I used to use vinegar, even with a Downey/Bounce sheet, the scent would only last a few hours then I'd notice the slight body odor smell would return to the clothes, like they never got FULLY removed in the wash. I thought I'd eventually have to toss my t-shirts, even though they were fine otherwise. I didn't want the smelly clothes.

It wasn't until the vinegar, that I realised how much residual smells could get trapped in clothing so that better scents, like Downey can't penetrate in. The fact that the clothes now smell so wonderful, for so long, makes it apparent.

thats the same thing that i use it for.

 

[Imzadi]

Oh....is the vinegar going in WITH the laundry detergent...or does it go into the liquid fabric softerner dispenser in the center of washing machine? And am I leaving out the liquid fabric softener totally? And just using dryer sheets?

Jeesh....I thought I knew how to do laundry...but not so sure anymore. lol

I pour it in WITH the laundry detergent, not in the fabric softener dispenser. If you put it in the fabric softener dispenser the laundry really smells like vinegar when it comes out. Don't ask how I know. (It still smelled fine once it was all dry. )

I didn't have any fabric softener, or I might have added that too. However, I noticed one load of towels came out really soft & fluffy. Yes, the funk was gone. I thought it might have been because the vinegar broke down the build-up of soapy residue which hardened the towels. But I'm not sure. Since I was more aware of the fresh smell, I didn't pay attention to how soft everything else might have been and i only did one load of towels.

Use WHITE distilled vinegar. Rite Aid has it on sale every couple of weeks for 99¢ for 32 oz. The dollar store has it too. I wish I could get the large jugs around here.

 

[Chickysmom]

just plain white vinegar...can be bought in grocery department all over and in several sizes, even gallon for under 2.00

 

[SplshMtn99]

I pour it in WITH the laundry detergent, not in the fabric softener dispenser. If you put it in the fabric softener dispenser the laundry really smells like vinegar when it comes out. Don't ask how I know. (It still smelled fine once it was all dry. )

I didn't have any fabric softener, or I might have added that too. However, I noticed one load of towels came out really soft & fluffy. Yes, the funk was gone. I thought it might have been because the vinegar broke down the build-up of soapy residue which hardened the towels. But I'm not sure. Since I was more aware of the fresh smell, I didn't pay attention to how soft everything else might have been and i only did one load of towels.

Use WHITE distilled vinegar. Rite Aid has it on sale every couple of weeks for 99¢ for 32 oz. The dollar store has it too. I wish I could get the large jugs around here.

THANK YOU!!