Emma Marsden - The Miracle of Vinegar

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IT’S THE PITS

How annoying is it when the armpits of your favourite shirts turn yellow and hard from sweat, and after a while normal washing just won’t hack it? Soak the stained area overnight in a solution of half clear vinegar, half water, then machine-wash as normal.

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BACK TO BLACK

When a black item turns an unappealing shade of grey over a number of washes, chances are this is because of a build-up of detergent left in the fabric, rather than actual loss of black dye. To sort this, soak the item for a few hours in a sink filled with warm water with a little clear vinegar. Afterwards, rinse thoroughly and machine-wash as normal.

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SMOKE GETS UP YOUR NOSE

Admittedly this is not an everyday occurrence, but house fires do happen. If you’re in the unfortunate position of trying to rescue smoke-damaged clothes, bedlinen and towels that are stinking, first sprinkle everything with bicarbonate of soda, then machine-wash twice, adding a cupful of vinegar to the drum for each cycle. If possible, hang everything outside on a washing line (which will help to get rid of the smell).

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SEAL WITH A SPRITZ

Nasty germs and smelly mould can lurk in your washing-machine seal. Mix equal quantities of water and clear vinegar in a spray bottle and squirt onto the inside of the seal. Leave for a few minutes then wipe clean.

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LOOK AFTER YOUR IRON AND IT WILL LOOK AFTER YOU

Most steam irons nowadays have some type of self-cleaning or anti-calc system – use these once a month according to the instructions on the packet and from the manufacturer. If your iron doesn’t have this feature, pour equal parts clear vinegar and tap water into the reservoir until it’s about one-third full. Turn the heat to medium and allow the iron to steam for 5–10 minutes until all the vinegar evaporates. Switch off the iron, then fill the reservoir with fresh water. Turn on the iron again to flush through any leftover mineral deposits and vinegar. Switch off, allow to cool, then wipe the base with a soft clean cloth. If you think the steam vents are still clogged, clear with a cotton bud dipped in water with a little vinegar added. To help stop any future build-up of limescale, pour away excess water when you’ve finished ironing.

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