Vinegar: The Key to Whiter Whites and Softer Towels (But Most People Use It Wrong). Here’s the Right Way.

lifespan of your garments.

2. Vinegar as fabric softener

Many commercial fabric softeners coat fibers with chemicals that reduce absorbency—especially problematic for towels and microfiber cloths. Vinegar, in contrast, works by breaking down detergent residues and mineral buildup that stiffen fabric, restoring softness without leaving a residue.

To use vinegar as a fabric softener:

Add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine.
For towels and washcloths, vinegar helps open the fibers, making them fluffier and more absorbent.
Vinegar also helps prevent static cling