Vinegar in Washer, Will it cause damage?

[michaelman2]

I had mentioned that I fill the softener dispenser with clear vinegar to eliminate static and freshen linens/garments. Does anyone know if this could damage the machine(Duet)...I called Whirlpool and after pressing every button on the phone I got someone who did not have a clue on laundry. She could not comprehend what I was doing. I have also at times placed liquid starch in the dispenser for a very LIGHT starch in the sheets. Anyone think of any reason not to do either of the above?...tks!

 

[toggleswitch]

Only with porcelain tubs would I imagine damage.

I use vinegar in the bleach dispenser to neutralize remaining chemicals.

In my Frid-GE-More the bleach dispenser does its thing in the first rinse.

Actually I usully put some watery (cheap-@$$) supermarket brand softner in the same location (in lieu of vinegar)when I DO use some. This way subsequent rinses are with un-adulterated water.

 

[Maytagmom]

Mike

I don't even see how this could harm anything in the washer, or the washer itself. I know vinegar is useful for many things, and it will freshen up staleness in closed odorous places. I know it's the best thing to use to clean windows, along with black & white newspaper. Beats windex hands down!

Just make sure your sheets don't get too "pickled". Hate to see them wake up with a hangover the next morning...

As far as starch...I personally don't use it. I like my high thread cotton sheets soft as a baby's (_Y_).

But I remember my dad's work shirts being starched back in the '60's... Oy!

 

[petek]

Vinegar is already a fairly light acid to begin with and when diluted into all that water is pretty inconsequential as to damaging mechanical or rubber parts, in fact it would probably be of mlld benefit in reducing calcium buildup and rust stains. BTW it's great half diluted for cleaning out coffee makers and humidifiers. I use it full strength to clean the plastic humidifier wheels and trays, certainly cheaper and just as good as CLR and a heck of a lot cheaper.

 

[michaelman2]

Toggle..you make a good point...I wonder if that vinegar is in the final rinse ..hummmm....well I could call Whirlpool back but I always freak them out when I ask a question that they do not have on their answer card.
Maytagmom, you said it...nothing better for glass than vinegar and newsprint! lol on the "pickled"...since I run them through an ironer the small amount of starch gives them just enough body to hold the press better.

 

[appnut]

I have put vinegar in my porcelain tub 1986 LK without one issue.

 

[polkanut]

Vinegar is a great fabric deodorizer. It is no more harmful than putting ammonia in your laundry. Both help neutralize stale cologne and/or body odors, JMO.

 

[frigilux]

I don't know where she got the idea, but my mom, who used to do all the washing on Monday morning, would run a RINSE & SPIN cycle with about 1/4 cup of vinegar (lo water level setting) after the last load of the day. She said it was to deordorize and get rid of the soap scum. Our 1960 Kenmore Model 80 was still in operation when I got rid of it for a Whirlpool in '84 or '85...

 

[Maytagmom]

Frigilux

Mom's just KNOW these kinds of things. ;-)

 

[sudsmaster]

Vinegar is acid, ammonia is basic.

The only potential issue I could see if the washer standpipe/drain is made of copper, then it might be more susceptible to corrosive attack by dilute acidic rinse water. This is true of acidic tap water, which over the years can attack copper water pipes. However any danger to copper drain pipes from vinegar rinses is theoretical.

 

[launderess]

Vinegar is a mild acid, thus will remove soap/detergent residue (aka soap scum)in both laundry and on surfaces.

As detergents and soaps are alklanine in nature, any acid will remove their residue, acetic acid in the form of vinegar is mild enough to do the job, without causing damage. In fact most if not all products sold to "clean" automatic dishwashers and washing machines are acids. These range from citric and acetic acid to oxalic acid.

Vinegar has been used for ages as a mild disenfectant, and topical anti-fungal agent. Vinegar also remove odors in both fabrics and the air. With human "sweat" stains, they usually are midly acid if fresh but can turn alkaline as they age. This why it is recommended to apply vinegar to old stains and ammoina (or any strong alkaline detergent/soap) to fresh stains in order to remove.

Launderess

 

[pulsatron]

Vinegar does not hurt

We also every 3 months or so would run a full cycle with medium water level and half cup of vinegar in our old top loader because we were advised by a repairman that this actually acts like an enema to rinse away any detergent residue in the machine and in the outlet hose as well and never did our machine any harm.
Hope this is of some help to you.
Cheers.
Steve.

 

[thor]

About 5 years ago I started diluting FS in a 50/50 volume ratio with alcohol (white) vinegar. I have a Maytgag TL, I always second rinse with half a capful of this solution, and it has worked wonderfully at removing any soap residue and leaves no aftermath fragance in clothes. I haven't noticed any related issues in the washer.