Did you know bacteria from dirty clothing can linger in your washing machine? This can contaminate your future laundering. You can banish germs by adding a quart of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser on your machine and run an empty load on the highest heat setting. For a front-loading washer, fill dispenser 3/4 of the way with the vinegar. The acetic acid in the vinegar will kill both food-borne and fecal bacteria.