cheap brown vinegar works for...?

muffin_man_7

zeddy wrote: »

Since trying out Vinegar for washing our clothes I haven't looked back. Both me and my boyfriend started to itch in our clothes and bedding a few weeks back and I thought I would try using vinegar jut instead of conditioner at first. Although my clothes were softer, they weren't any less itchy so I did away with the washing powder as well. Now I was only in vinegar (clothes only - obviously) and wouldn't go back. Our clothes are softer, are keeping their colour and are easier to iron. (They are also clean - forgot to mention)!

I have been using white vinegar for fear of staining, but I've trusted you once (even though my boyfriend thought I was mad) so I'll trust you again. Malt vinegar here I come!

zeddy thanks for this post after i read this i went straight into kitchen poured cheap 13p vinager into my wash put it on and wasnot expecting what i got the big new WHITE TOWEL THAT SOMEONE USED TO MOP THE KITCHEN WITH AND LEFT IT ALL GREY AN ORRIBLE WELL........ITS PURE WHITE NO TRACE OF GREY NO ONE CAN TELL ITS NOT NEW SO I THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH YOU SAVED ME THE COST OF GETTING ANY NEW ONES NOW IM GOING TO TRY IT ON SOME OF MY OTHER WASH LOADS WHEN I TOP LECCY UP

OH AND ANOTHER THING IT GOT RID OF THAT FUNNY DAMP MUSTY SMELL TOO

squeaky

You seem to be saying that you put the vinegar in with the wash and not into the rinse in place of fabric conditioner?

Anyway... I just tried an experiment. I had a wash load that's just been worn around the house, so no mud, grass stains or oil marks etc. and bunged it into the machine with no soap powder, soda, or gloop - but instead put a glug (unmeasured sorry) of my cheap brown vinegar in.

Clothes are clean, fresh without ponging of "essential spring fragrance" , and they do feel softer than usual.

Oh, and the soles of a pair of "white" socks are much improved.

At an estimate I'd say I would get eight "glugs per bottle" which would make this under 2p per wash.

This was a 40deg wash... next experiment at 30deg and I'll use a measure

Biggles

After checking out various recipes online, I've made up some fabcon from vinegar, soda and water.

The only thing is, the soda hasn't completely dissolved. Will it, given time? Or does it matter?

BitterAndTwisted

Erm, I'm not sure that the washing soda is necessary or even useful. From memory soda is alkaline and the vinegar is an acid so you might have one thing balancing against the other and you're in effect washing in plain water. Or something like that. Anyway, it should dissolve once it's diluted with the water in the machine, so it would be interesting to hear about the result.

Biggles

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Erm, I'm not sure that the washing soda is necessary or even useful

It seems to be the commonest recipe for fabcon on all the websites that I've checked. Usually 1 cup bicarb of soda, 1 cup of vinegar, 1 cup (or two) water.

Took me flippin ages to find bicarb of soda, too, I'll be spitting feathers if it's not any good!
;-)

Starrystarrynight

Very interesting thread.
I did try using white vinegar in the washing machine a while ago, but my OH said that he could smell the vinegar on his clothes afterwards :-( Maybe next time I will try it without telling him and see if he notices!
I like the idea of using vinegar and bicarb down the sink. Will give that one a go this weekend.

Mrs_Domino

You've inspired me. I'm fed up with my towels being all crunchy when dry (very exfoliating though!:rotfl:) I'm donna do it and will test it on OH to see if he notices:)

Alison_Funnell

squeaky wrote: »

And after all the cleaning uses it has I found one that I'd completely forgotten...

It's great on chips!

:eek::eek::eek: You can eat it?

Canaria

Somebody previously mentioned using the vinegar to clean jewellery. I just want to remind people to be careful with anything that has stones or pearls, while some stones can get damaged by the acid, pearls will just dissolve completely.

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Apologies in advance for a daft post!

I keep hearing that vinegar and newspaper are good for cleaning windows. Please can I aks for the idiots guide for how to do it? Do I wet the newspaper in vinegar? Help!

HHx