Can you add vinegar and laundry detergent together?

Author: Rahsaan Wyman  |  Last update: Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.

Can vinegar be mixed with laundry detergent?

Yes, you can mix white vinegar and laundry detergent. In fact, many people find it beneficial to add a small amount of white vinegar to their laundry routine. Vinegar can help soften fabrics, reduce static cling, and even act as a natural deodorizer.

What clothes should not be washed with vinegar?

Fabric Type: While vinegar is safe for cotton and synthetic fabrics, it can potentially damage delicate fabrics such as silk or lace. Always check care labels before using vinegar on specific garments.

What happens when you add white vinegar to the laundry and washing machine?

By adding vinegar to your laundry, you can remove tough stains, eliminate odors, and even soften your clothes. It's a safe and effective way to boost the cleaning power of your detergent while also being eco-friendly. So go ahead and add some vinegar to your next load of laundry for cleaner, fresher-smelling clothes.

Does vinegar work better than laundry detergent?

Using vinegar or baking soda will only add to the time and cost of doing laundry; they cannot substitute for a high-quality laundry detergent.

Mix White Vinegar With Coca-Cola And You Won't Believe What happens!

What should not be cleaned with vinegar?

Avoid using white vinegar for cleaning marble, granite, and other natural stones, like slate. This includes countertops, floors, and shower walls with stone finishes, and household goods like tabletops or serving pieces.

Where do you put white vinegar in a washing machine?

Fabric softener: Instead of commercial fabric softeners, pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine. It will leave your clothes feeling soft and reduce static.

What does vinegar do to dirty clothes?

In addition to locking in the most vibrant color, vinegar will help get rid of lingering detergent residue that might have accumulated over time (adding to the brightening effect), eliminate funky fabric smells (for instance, if you let that load sit for too long before adding to the dryer) and work to keep your ...

Can I mix vinegar and fabric softener?

Add 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser or directly to the washer at the start of the rinse cycle. Do not combine with a commercial fabric softener.

How to get white laundry white again?

Use white vinegar:

Vinegar is also a great alternative to chlorine bleach. Add half a cup of white vinegar to your white laundry. This can remove the grey or yellow hues from your white clothes and restore their original color.

What not to mix with laundry detergent?

Do not mix laundry detergent with household cleaners or ammonia. The mixture could release dangerous fumes and result in breathing problems.

What detergent kills fungus?

Here are the top three antifungal laundry detergents that you should consider:
  • Defunkify Active Wear Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Solimo Liquid Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent.

Is distilled vinegar the same as white vinegar?

White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.

When not to use vinegar in laundry?

Vinegar should not be used in laundry when washing clothing with elastic, or when other cleaning ingredients like bleach, ammonia, or baking soda are present.

What are the disadvantages of cleaning with vinegar?

However, for cleaning around the home, vinegar does have some surprising drawbacks to keep in mind.
  • DIY Cleaning Products With Vinegar: The Drawbacks.
  • Vinegar doesn't sanitize or disinfect. ...
  • You have to be careful about concentrations. ...
  • Always, always rinse. ...
  • Vinegar can damage some of the surfaces in your home.

What should vinegar not be mixed with?

There are certain substances you should never mix with vinegar, including bleach and ammonia, because these combinations will produce chlorine gas and toxic vapors, says Ryan Sinclair, an environmental microbiologist and associate professor at the Loma Linda University School of Public Health.

Should you mix vinegar and laundry detergent?

Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.

Can you soak clothes in detergent overnight?

Detergents and stain removers do kill microbes, but you have to bear in mind that detergents are strong chemicals that will eventually damage your clothes. Soaking clothes overnight gives the detergents time to start breaking down not just the dirt, but the fabric of your clothes themselves.

How much vinegar can I put in my laundry?

If you want to add vinegar to your laundry to help clean and deodorize your clothes, pour 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar into your washing machine instead of the detergent you would normally use. You can also pour 1 cup of vinegar into the last rinse cycle to act as a natural fabric softener.

Can you add vinegar to soap?

Sure. ACV is an acetic acid solution just like distilled white vinegar. ACV will darken the soap somewhat, so keep that in mind when making design plans. Distilled white vinegar works just as well and will not change the color of the finished soap.

Can you mix vinegar and washing up liquid?

Preparation: Mix equal parts cleaning vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of our dish soap and shake well. Did you know that our dishwashing liquid is not only effective against grease and dirt, but also 100% biodegradable and microplastic-free? You can get started with peace of mind.

Can you mix vinegar baking soda and detergent?

Earlier, we said you should add vinegar in a separate compartment rather than add it with the detergent. That's because some detergents are alkaline. When you add baking soda or vinegar to an alkaline detergent, they can neutralize each other. As a result, the cleaning efficiency decreases.

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