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How to Remove Mildew from Clothing

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(147 Ratings)
Remove Mildew from Clothing
Remove Mildew from Clothing

Mildew is mold - a living organism that thrives in warm, humid environments. If your clothes become mildewy, your best bet is to act right away. The longer it stays on the fabric, the more time mildew has to weaken or even rot your clothes.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Chlorine Bleach
  • Laundry Detergents
  1. Step 1

    Take the mildewy clothing outside and brush off any loose mold growth. (You don't want those spores floating around your house.)

  2. Step 2

    Leave fabric in the sun to dry out - heat and sun kill mildew.

  3. Step 3

    Presoak remaining stains in cold water, then wash in hot water with detergent. Allow to dry in the sun.

  4. Step 4

    If stains still persist, sponge the area with diluted chlorine bleach (use 2 tbsp. bleach to 1 qt. water). After about 10 minutes, rinse.

  5. Step 5

    Launder as usual, rinse and allow to dry in the sun.

Tips & Warnings
  • Take nonwashable clothing to the drycleaner and identify the stain.
  • Chlorine bleach will damage or ruin silk, wool, nylon or Spandex.

Comments  

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on 8/27/2009 Useful instructions for removing mildew. 5*

helppls said

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on 8/19/2009 how do I remove mildew from clothing that has already been dried trough the dryer?

from1mom2u said

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on 1/6/2009 In response to "dodie11said" about her Graco stroller, I too have a mildew stain on my Graco stroller and it was a pain to disassemble the padding and hood, but you just have to unscrew some parts to get it off. I couldn't figure out how to take off the basket though. That might just have to be washed with soap and water with your hose outside. I put my strollers padding in the wash twice. The stain is still there, just not as bad. I am going to try the peroxide.

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on 9/23/2008 The easiest and fool proof way that I have found to remove mold from washable fabrics is to wet the molded area with peroxide, lay the iten on grass on a sunny day. You should rewet the molded area several times as it dries. This is the best remedy I have found. I always follow up with a wash with some bleach, but the peroxide is a win win remedy.

dodie11 said

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on 9/6/2008 I have a Graco stroller. The bottom basket and the top awning do not come off. They have black mildew stains on them. Any idea how to clean it. Thank you

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