The invention provides a method of laundering fabrics in an automatic washing machine having a drum wherein the automatic washing machine is operated so as to cause it to run through at least one wash cycle and at least one rinse cycle. Such a method comprises: (a) during the at least one wash cycle forming in the drum an aqueous washing liquor containing a detersive surfactant component and a detergent builder component, the aqueous wash liquor having pH above about 7; (b) contacting fabrics to be laundered with the aqueous wash liquor in the drum; (c) during the rinse cycle forming in the drum an aqueous rinse liquor and contacting the fabrics with the rinse liquor; (d) adding to the rinse liquor sufficient acid source to bring the pH of the rinse liquor in the range of from about 4 to about 7, preferably from about 4.5 to about 6.5. The use of this lowered pH in the rinse liquor gives a variety of cleaning benefits, and preferably fabric care benefits in combination with rinse additive, in the context of an automatic washing process. The invention also provides particular systems for application of the acid source to the rinse liquor.