If they aren’t dried quickly, damp clothes and fabrics could easily become moldy. There is hope if you find yourself in this situation. Even if mold has left only a few spots, you can still save your garments. These are some general tips to help you remove mold from clothing and fabric.
How to get rid of mold from clothes
Check the label
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations about how to wash and dry clothing.
Remove the mold stain
Use a mold remover such as bleach, white vinegar, or household soap to clean the moldy surface. You should be gentle with the fabric and not damage it.
Pre-soak your fabric
Mold stains can be difficult to remove so you will need to pre-soak the garment before washing. You can soak it in a commercial product, or in a bucket with water and one cup of white vinegar for an hour.
Use hot water to wash your clothes
Hot water is more effective than cold water in killing mold spores. You should not exceed the recommended water temperature for washing your clothes. You can take materials that are not washable to the dry cleaner.
Use a mold-killing solution in your washer
Vinegar – Use one to two cups vinegar per cycle in addition to regular detergent to neutralize moldy odors and brighten white fabrics.
Borax – You may also use borax in your regular washing cycle. However, it is only recommended for organic fabrics such as linen and cotton. Borax can be dissolved in hot water. Once the machine has filled, add half a cup to the machine.
Bleach – This chemical can kill mold on fabrics, but can also fade colors. Make sure you spot-test before you buy and to read the label. Some labels indicate “no chlorine bleach”. After you are certain your clothes won’t get damaged, wash them using normal detergent and 1 cup bleach.
Hang-dry your clothes in the sun after washing them.
Sunlight can naturally bleach fabric and kill any mold spores. Avoid drying your clothes in the dryer, as the heat can cause spots to become visible and make it difficult to remove.
If mold stains continue…
Repeat the entire process if mold stains remain after you have followed the steps. Alternativly, you can dye the garment a darker shade to cover the stain.
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