That line is actually true, but yeah—most people absolutely use vinegar wrong. Here’s how to do it the right way (and why it works).
Why vinegar helps
White distilled vinegar is a mild acid. It:
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Breaks down detergent residue that makes whites look dull
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Dissolves mineral buildup from hard water
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Relaxes fabric fibers, which makes towels feel softer
(All without coating fabrics like commercial softeners do.)
The mistake most people make
❌ Pouring vinegar directly onto clothes
❌ Using it with detergent in the same wash cycle
❌ Using too much
That can weaken fibers over time and doesn’t actually clean as well.
The correct way to use vinegar
For whiter whites
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Wash clothes normally with detergent
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During the rinse cycle, add ½–1 cup white distilled vinegar
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Pour it into the fabric softener compartment, not the drum
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Skip fabric softener entirely
Result: brighter whites, no vinegar smell once dry.
For softer towels
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Wash towels with detergent only (no softener)
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Add 1 cup vinegar in the rinse cycle
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Every few washes, do a hot wash with vinegar only (no detergent) to strip buildup
Your towels will absorb water again instead of just pushing it around your body 😅
Extra pro tips
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Don’t mix vinegar with bleach. Ever. 🚫
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Use it occasionally, not every single wash
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Works best with white distilled vinegar, not apple cider vinegar
If you want, I can also tell you:
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How to fix already-gray whites
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How often to use vinegar safely
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Vinegar vs baking soda (they’re not interchangeable)