The Many Uses of White Vinegar

Dri-Pak’s White Vinegar is one of the most versatile and economical products you can have on hand. Come and discover some key ways to put that bottle to good use!

There are different types of vinegar, but generally, White Vinegar is recommended for laundry and cleaning because it reduces the risk of staining fabrics and surfaces, plus it’s relatively cheap.

So how does it work?

This highly acidic liquid is a smart way to clean without relying on harsh chemicals. To see this in action, pour alkaline Bicarbonate of Soda down the plughole, followed by White Vinegar. The fizzing action is a result of the two substances reacting with one another. (By the way, this is a great way to clear plugholes!)

When it comes to cleaning clothes, White Vinegar is great for tackling deodorant-stained shirts. While deodorant stains can be difficult to remove, acidic products like White Vinegar and Citric Acid can dissolve the aluminium salts in the stain. More laundry and cleaning tips.

Regularly spray the underarm areas with White Vinegar before washing as normal. This will help to prevent staining.

In addition, spraying White vinegar onto deodorant-stained shirts before the wash can ease the discoloration - it’s also great for tackling mustard, tomato sauce, or ketchup stains.

White Vinegar works magic on upholstery too. If your child has an ‘accident’ on a mattress, clean it with a solution of White Vinegar and water. Afterwards, pour some baking soda onto the mattress, and brush or vacuum the residue once it’s dry.

Adding a cupful of White Vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine can freshen up bright colours and give you cleaner laundry. Acetic acid won’t harm fabrics, but it helps dissolves the soap residue that can dull dark clothing. It also acts as a fabric softener, a static reducer and a mildew-inhibitor. More information on white vinegar for laundry use.

To help remove mineral deposits and prevent corrosion on your steam iron, give it an occasional cleaning by filling the reservoir with undiluted White Vinegar. Place the iron in an upright position, switch on the steam setting, and let the White Vinegar steam through it for 5-10 minutes. Then refill the chamber with clean water and repeat. Finally, give the water chamber a good rinsing with cold, clean water.

White Vinegar can clean and deodorise, just about everything. From keeping your laundry fresh and clean, to preventing deodorant stains, there’s not much that it can’t do. As an alternative to expensive and harsh cleaning chemicals, White vinegar is something you can feel good about keeping in your cupboards, it’s just a great, green buy!

Protecting your Vintage Clothes

Fashion from yesteryear was made to last, but as garments get older the fibres begin to weaken and many modern-day washing techniques and products can cause damage. By following these gentle maintenance techniques using traditional products, you can preserve your favourite vintage items and enjoy wearing them for years to come!

Removing odours

Vintage items can have a musty smell due to long periods of storage, but this can be removed naturally and safely. Simply fill a bath tub 10cm deep with very hot water, and add 500ml White Vinegar, then hang the item above the bath as close to the water as possible without touching it. The White Vinegar steam will naturally deodorise the musty odour, and will also help any creases to drop out!

Washing

Make sure any repairs are made to the garment before washing, as the agitation from washing can worsen any pre-existing damage.

Some washing machines have a delicate setting which may be suitable for garments, but if you want to be as gentle as possible, hand wash delicate items.

Steer clear from modern laundry detergents as harsh chemicals can damage the fibres. Using a traditional product like Soap Flakes is ideal because they are simply pure soap with no fragrances, bleach, optical brighteners or detergents, in fact many of the vintage garments around today were probably originally washed in Soap Flakes! We now produce Liquid Soap Flakes which offer the same gentle cleaning power but in an easy to use liquid form. Add 1-2 capfuls of Liquid Soap Flakes to a large bowl or bathtub of warm water, press the garment into the water and gentle push and squeeze the soap suds through the fibres. Never vigorously rub or twist the garment as this may cause damage. Repeat the technique in clean water as many times a necessary to completely remove all the suds, or rinse the item using the shower head.

Drying

Heat is the main cause of damage for many older garments, so avoid tumble drying at all costs! Leave items to dry naturally laid flat on a drying rack or mesh, as drying on hangers can pull the fabric and misshape the garment.

If the garment needs ironing, take extra care. Use the lowest setting to start, and slowly increase the heat until the creases are removed. Some fabrics like velvet should never be ironed, so do your research before grabbing the iron!

Steaming garments is a preferable alternative as it doesn’t involve direct contact with heat. If you don’t have access to a professional steamer, try hanging the garment in the bathroom when you have a shower.

Storage

Storing delicate garments carefully is important to ensure they are kept free from harm. Always fold delicate garments rather than hanging, as it can stretch and cause stress to the fibres. Another no-no is using plastic to store items as it can damage fabric by trapping in moisture as well as affecting plastic buttons and embellishments. Wrapping the garment in acid-free paper is the best alternative.

Following our top maintenance tips will keep your prized vintage items looking great for longer! 

What's your favourite piece of vintage clothing?

Cut out the hassle when it comes to ironing!

If you find your iron sometimes leaves marks on your freshly washed clothes you’ll know what a pain it can be! The marks are most likely mineral deposits and limescale being left in the reservoir of the iron. 

If limescale is a particular issue in your area then you’ll no doubt have encountered problems it can cause in other appliances around the home! There’s nothing worse than having to put your clean clothes back into the washing machine, but how do you clean the inside of an iron?

Simple White Vinegar is the best way to clean the inside of the appliance - it’s also a natural product as well an economical one! 

To clean your iron, empty the reservoir from old water as best you can and fill the reservoir a third full with White Vinegar. Switch the iron onto the steam setting and iron an old cloth until all the white vinegar has been used. Switch off the iron and leave to cool. Repeat the process with clean water to flush out any remaining vinegar in the reservoir. Make sure you empty the reservoir of water every time you finish with the iron to reduce future deposits forming inside the appliance. 

Cut out the hassle when it comes to ironing!

If you find your iron sometimes leaves marks on your freshly washed clothes you’ll know what a pain it can be! The marks are most likely mineral deposits and limescale being left in the reservoir of the iron. If limescale is a particular issue in your area then you’ll no doubt have encountered problems it can cause in other appliances around the home! There’s nothing worse than having to put your clean clothes back into the washing machine, but how do you clean the inside of an iron?!

White Vinegar is the best way to clean the inside of the appliance - it’s also a natural product as well an economical one! To clean your iron, empty the reservoir from old water as best you can and fill the reservoir a third full with White Vinegar. Switch the iron onto the steam setting and iron an old cloth until all the white vinegar has been used. Switch off the iron and leave to cool. Repeat the process with clean water to flush out any remaining vinegar in the reservoir. Make sure you empty the reservoir of water every time you finish with the iron to reduce future deposits forming inside the appliance.