How to Freshen Wool Sweaters With Vinegar

How to Remove Stains and Odors With Vinegar

1. Treat Stains

   Before washing the sweater by hand or in a machine, treat certain stains like coffee, tea, and blood with distilled white vinegar. Dampen a microfiber cloth with some vinegar and dab the stains. Start at the outside edge of the stain and work toward the center to prevent spreading the stain. Dab with gentle pressure and move to a clean area of the cloth as the stain is transferred.

   When all evidence of the stain is gone, rinse the area with water before washing the sweater.

2. Remove Odors With Vinegar

   If the sweater has musty or sweaty odors, allow it to soak in a vinegar and water solution (add one cup of vinegar to a sink of water) for 20 to 30 minutes. The vinegar will help kill the microbes that are causing the odor.
   

How to Hand-Wash a Wool Sweater With Vinegar Rinse

1. Prepare a Washing Solution

   Fill a sink or large plastic tub with enough water to completely submerge the sweater. The sink or tub should be large enough so the fabric can move through the water. Add one teaspoon of a gentle detergent that does not contain any type of bleaching, whitening, or brightening agent. Swish it around in the water to help it dissipate.

   You can use a commercial gentle detergent or make a homemade wool wash.

2. Wash the Sweater

   Add the sweater and give it several gentle squeezes to make sure it is completely saturated with the soapy solution. Let it soak for 10 minutes. Then gently squeeze the sweater to help remove soil. Pay attention to areas around the neck, cuffs, and underarms to make sure soil is removed.
   

   Tip

   If the sweater is heavily-soiled, allow it to soak for 20-30 minutes so the detergent has time to break apart the soil molecules so they can be rinsed away.

3. Rinse With Vinegar

   When the sweater is clean, drain or empty the soapy water. Fill the sink or plastic tub with clean cool water and add one-fourth cup of distilled white vinegar. Swish to disperse the vinegar.

   Add the wet sweater to the rinse solution and gently swish it through the water. If there are excessive suds, you may need to drain and repeat the process. Keep rinsing until no more suds remain.

   Do not wring the sweater. Drain the rinse water and gently squeeze out the excess water.

4. Dry the Sweater

   To speed drying, place the sweater on a thick terrycloth towel. Arrange it flat and smooth out any wrinkles. Start at the narrow end of the towel and roll it up with the sweater inside so that water is absorbed.

   Spread the sweater on a flat, mesh drying rack or a dry towel to finish drying. It may take up to 24 hours for the sweater to dry completely. Do not hang to dry because the fibers may stretch excessively.

How to Machine-Wash a Sweater With a Vinegar Rinse

1. Protect the Sweater

   To prevent snags from zippers and buttons and to prevent excessive stretching during the spin cycle, place the sweater in a mesh delicates laundry bag.

2. Select the Washer Settings

   Use the gentle cycle and cold water setting when washing wool.

3. Add the Detergent and Laundry Load

   Use a gentle detergent and add it to the washer's detergent dispenser or in the washer drum. Be sure to wash the sweater with similar fabrics to prevent color transfer.

4. Add the Vinegar to the Rinse Cycle

   If your washer has a fabric softener dispenser, fill the dispenser cup with distilled white vinegar. If there is no dispenser, add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the washer drum at the beginning of the rinse cycle.

5. Dry the Sweater

   Remove the sweater from the mesh laundry bag. Dry it flat on a mesh drying rack or an absorbent towel.