This is a reprint of a previously published post. It seems appropriate to share it today as we are headed off to the lake and I may be using this tip soon.
It is summer and in our house that means mildew. Somebody forgets a wet towel in a hot car or bunches it up in a pile in the laundry room or leaves it wadded up in the beach bag, etc… the possibilities for creating mildewed towels are limitless for my creative family. But I have a secret weapon: Vinegar!
I add one cup of vinegar to a load of laundry at the beginning of the wash cycle and it removes all trace of the mildew smell from our towels. The best part is it only costs a couple of pennies per load.
What are your frugal laundry tips?
For more summer tips and recipes, visit Works For Me Wednesday.
Would you like to save this article?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Porch Days says
Thanks for this tip. My towels don't smell fresh even after being freshly laundered. I definitely will try this!
Alea says
So many great ideas! I feel a list coming on…
Lori @ Couponomic Stimulus Package says
That's so great to know that it'll take out the mildew smell!!! I'm so glad to know that and all these tips in the comments are great too! I'd love it if you'd link it to my Tuesday's Tips!
Nikki says
Me and vinegar? Bestest budz. Great tip. I hate when people don't take care of their mildewed towels smell. bleck.
Erin says
I use vinegar in my wash too!
I also use vinegar and water in a spray bottle for cleaning my kitchen and bathroom. I use straight vinegar to clean the hard water stains out of my shower and tub.
Alea says
Colorado Girl- Great reminder! I felt so guilty when my husband was forced to swim instead of run because of a back injury. Mildewed swim gear is not nearly as bad as running clothes!
Colorado Girl says
It works very well to remove the stink from hubby's gym clothes! He works out in the morning and then his gym bag cooks in his hot truck all day! YUCK! he he
Alea says
Laura and Sheila- Thanks for sharing the other tips on vinegar. It is quickly becoming one of my favorite cleaning agents around the house!
Sheila says
I never knew that would help with the mildew. I always use vinegar to set the color on something that I don't want to fade. Thanks for the tip.
Laura says
This is a very practical tip–we usually come home from our camping trip with mildew on something.
Adding vinegar to the rinse cycle will also remove all the excess detergent that builds up in towels and other laundry items. Towels will feel much softer and be more absorbant after the detergent is completely gone.