Using vinegar in the wash to help musty linens? (how much, washer, front loader)

[onevthoki]

I need some help. After a summer of being in the linen closet, my flannel sheets smell really musty! I have washed them and STILL musty. Has anyone washed with a vinegar solution that might help to take out the smell. And if so, how much did you use?

Thanks for your help!

[ShaneSA]

I use pure ammonia, or the lemon scented ammonia. Just a cup with the detergent and the smell is gone. Also, if able, hang them to dry outside in the sun.

[CoastalMaine]

I use vinegar often in my wash. A full cut poured in after I've added the detergent. It also lifts dirt out of your wash. It takes the build up of soap out of your clothes as well so they last longer. It's cheap and effective. It's what they had 100 years ago to use, so it's not unheard of! I think I learned it from the lady who put out 2 books after being discovered on Oprah years ago... 'The Queen Of Clean'.

[stock66]

I use vinegar as a softner but hadn't heard that is was supposed to freshen up laundry. According to my box of baking soda it freshens laundry.

[MrsMo]

Laundering and then hanging the sheets outside on a clothesline would help too. (If you have a clothes line.) I too use baking soda to get the smoke smell out of my sons' clothes. They go out and go to places where there is alot of cigarette smoke and it makes me sick when I am doing their laundry. I add about 1/4 cup soda in each load of their clothes.

[kristinl5]

I have used vinegar in my wash (esp. towels) when they get that musty smell...also have just run an empty washer with vinegar...never takes out color from your clothes and it does take the must out.

[KansasChick]

I use vinegar in every load about a cup - cup and 1/2. I use very little detergent - you don't need near as much as the boxes say and borax - which is a cleaning booster. I started doing this after having issues with my front loader smelling musty and making my clothes smell musty - read something about using vinegar. After reading more about using vinegar in the wash - I started doing it all the time. It is less harmful to the fibers, helps lock in the dye - which especially important with darks, better than fabric softner - no chemicals or build up. The clothes may smell like vinegar when you take them out of the washer - but the smell goes away after they dry.

[kcam213]

which vinegar? My guess is white but I want to be sure.

[KansasChick]

cheapest white vinegar I can find. Great for cleaning stainless steel, counters, etc as well.

[kcam213]

Thanks! I think I will try it for my kitchen counters.