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Keep Your Delicates In Tip-Top Shape With This Laundry Room Essential
By KELLY CATLIN
Delicates like chiffon, silk, wool, lace, or pantyhose are not impervious to odor-causing bacteria. Luckily, vinegar — a common pantry staple — is designed to clean thin fabrics.
Using vinegar in the wash can help limit textile waste and save you money in the long run. It can, however, damage any rubber parts in a washer, so it’s best to use a wash basin.
Simply add ¼ cup of vinegar to your delicates, preferably distilled white vinegar, though apple cider vinegar can also be used. Let them sit for half an hour before rinsing clean.
A vinegar pre-rinse can work to keep your delicates looking and smelling their best, but your garments still need the enzymes found in detergent and should
be laundered.
Once everything is washed and clean, dry your delicates as quickly as possible. Line drying will help preserve the delicate fibers, despite taking longer to dry.
Avoid using vinegar too often, as the acetic acid can cause the elastic to degrade over time. In moderation, vinegar can remove stains and smells from your clothing in no time.