Laundry jobs can sometimes be boring. So why not try something different and use a household product that’s usually sitting in your kitchen cupboard? You’ll find that the use of vinegar in laundry is beneficial, especially for removing stains, odours and revitalizing clothes.

 Please use white distilled vinegar only unless otherwise stated. It’s important not to mix bleach and white distilled vinegar in your wash. If you do it will produce dangerous fumes.

• To fluff up your cotton blankets and wool - Add 500ml of white distilled vinegar to the last rinse cycle.

• Renew those shrunken woollen jumpers - Stretch them back to their original size or shape. Wash them in a mixture of 1 part white wine vinegar to 2 parts water for 25 minutes. After you’ve stretched the jumpers, hang them up so that they can be air-dried.

• Clean and disinfect your washing machine – Get rid of soap scum by pouring 450ml or 2 cups of white distilled vinegar in the machine. Run the empty washing machine through a full cycle. Don’t add any detergent.

• To stop colours from running – Soak them in about 3 cups of undiluted white distilled vinegar for 10 – 15 minutes before washing.

• Set the colour of newly dyed clothes – Add 225ml or 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to the last rinse.

• To get rid of cigarette smells from your clothes – Fill the bathtub with piping hot water. Add 275ml or 1/2 pint of white distilled vinegar. Hang the clothes over the steam. Keep the bathroom door closed. After a few hours, the cigarette smell will go.

• Reduce annoying static cling in your clothes – Add 275ml or 1/2 pint of white distilled vinegar to the machine’s rinse cycle.

• Remove ink stains from clothes - Wet the patch that’s stained with some white distilled vinegar. Make a paste of 2 parts vinegar to 3 parts corn flour and rub it in the stain. Leave the paste on the clothes to dry. Wash the clothes afterwards.

• Remove crayon stains from clothes – Soak a used toothbrush in undiluted white distilled vinegar. Rub the patch with the toothbrush.  Wash the garment afterwards.

• To remove scorch marks from clothes – Rub the area with a cloth lightly soaked with white distilled vinegar. Blot with a clean towel.

• To remove dirt rings from shirt cuffs and collars – Make a paste from 2 parts white distilled vinegar to 3 parts baking soda. Scrub the shirt cuffs and collars with the paste. Leave the paste to set on the garments for 30 minutes before washing.

• For babies with sensitive skin – Don’t use any fabric softener and use only half of the recommended detergent. After washing, fill the softener dispenser with white distilled vinegar and put the clothes through an extra rinse. The vinegar will sterilise and neutralise any residue left by the detergent, which could cause a reaction to your baby’s sensitive skin.

• If you suffer from sensitive skin – Use the same method above for baby’s clothes. This should help stop irritations and outbreaks on your skin.

• To clean the sole plate of your iron and remove scorch marks – Mix a paste made up by heating equal parts of white distilled vinegar and salt in a small pan. Scrub the sole plate of the iron with the paste. Afterwards, use a rag dipped in clean water to wipe off any residue left.

• Remove price stickers from the soles of shoes – Soak a cloth in undiluted white distilled vinegar. Cover the sticker for a few minutes until it’s soaked by the liquid. The sticker should come off easily afterwards.

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Have you got any tips on using vinegar for household chores? Please share them in the comment box below.