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Old Wives’ Remedies

The household handbook

White vinegar as a fabric rinse

A manufacturer suggests vinegar soaks for some stains but not in the machine itself.

Evidence: Appliance-maker guidance; limitedProfessional review not claimed

What the sources say

Whirlpool suggests diluted white vinegar soaks for sweat and deodorant stains, but says it does not recommend putting vinegar in the washing machine, because its acidity can corrode some parts.

Evidence assessment: Appliance-maker guidance; limited. This describes the scope of the guidance we checked, not proof that the remedy works for you.

Cautions

  • Check your washing machine’s manual before adding vinegar to it.
  • Never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach.
  • Test on a hidden area of the garment first.

How it is usually done

  1. For sweat marks, soak the garment in 2 cups of water with 1 cup of white vinegar for up to 30 minutes, then wash as usual.

Ingredients & category

Sources

Source-checking is not clinical or veterinary review. Specific historical origin not established from the source reviewed.