Clothes will be 'soft and fresh' when using one natural ingredient instead of fabric softener

A enthusiast has praised a natural substitute for making her soft and fragrant, ditching commercial cleaners and their harsh chemicals. Carolina McCauley shared her go-to ingredient with her social media followers, which is likely already in your pantry.

Carolina pointed out that using commercial fabric softeners can lead to residue build-up in your , potentially ruining your clothes. But by replacing it with this common kitchen essential, you can achieve cuddly, soft garments without any nasty chemicals.

In a recent video, she revealed that instead of regular fabric softener, she uses white vinegar to help get that fluffy feel from her laundry.

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How to use white vinegar as fabric softener

Carolina opts for white vinegar over traditional fabric softeners to protect her delicate items from damage, reports . For laundry day, just proceed with your usual wash cycle but substitute your fabric softener with half a cup of white vinegar.

The cleaning aficionado assures that your attire will emerge "soft and fresh" after the wash. White vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener because it's effective at breaking down leftover detergent, mineral build-up, or 'body soil' like sweat, body oils, and dead skin cells, which can leave fabrics feeling stiff and coarse.

By pouring vinegar into the washing machine's dispenser, it tackles all the culprits that can render clothes uncomfortable. Using vinegar in your laundry can work wonders, brightening whites and banishing those pesky mildew smells alongside stubborn sweat or strong odours.

It's even a whizz at keeping pet hair and lint at bay from clinging to your outfits. But beware, too much of a good thing can spell disaster for your washing machine and threads; overuse or misuse could damage fabrics or lead to corrosion.

Indeed, frequent splashes of vinegar could see the rubbery parts and seals of your trusty washer wear away. Jennifer Kaminshi, from Affresh appliance care, told : "White vinegar is an acid that can break down the rubber gaskets and hoses in your washing machine, leading to costly damage."

And the household tips gurus over at Better Homes & Gardens have thrown in their two pence worth, advising not to get carried away with vinegar use especially with contrasting washes. They issued an especially stern warning against coupling vinegar with any kind of chlorine bleach.

When these substances throw a chemical party, they conjure up noxious fumes that are anything but a hoot. Fabrics with a bit of give aren't fans of white vinegar either - that acidity can slaughter the elasticity in your gym kit, leaving stretchy gear sadly slack.