Things You'll Need:
- Soft Bristle Brush
- Lingerie Bag
- 3 Tennis Balls
- Lemon Juice
- Cotton Swabs
- Distilled White Vinegar
- Spray Bottle
-
Step 1
When the mildew spores leave your pillow, where do they go? The truth is that, once airborne, microscopic mildew spores can go just about anywhere they wish. Begin by taking your pillow outside. With a soft bristle brush, gently brush away any loose mildew discoloration. You may want to use your vacuum with the brush attachment to get through the plush fur of stuffed animals, but the process should still be done outside. As soon as you are finished, change your vacuum bag and dispose of it in an outdoor garbage can.
-
Step 2
Mildew needs dark, damp places to thrive. Sunlight and circulating air are their downfall, so before you worry about spots of discoloration on the fabric surface, make sure that your pillow is no longer a good place for mildew to live. It must be completely dry, all the way through to it's fuzzy middle. At the height of summer, the sun can handle this job for you. Just make sure you cover the pillow with a lightweight handkerchief to prevent the sun from fading the fabric colors.
-
Step 3
If the sun has gone south for the winter, or you have no place suitable to leave your items, don't worry. With a little care, your clothes dryer can do the same thing for you. Pillows or toys which are decorated with beading or delicate frills should be placed inside a zippered lingerie bag (normally used to save delicate fabrics from being pulled apart or tangled while drying). Place the bag in the dryer along with the 3 tennis balls. Set the dryer to medium heat and the longest time setting available. The balls will bounce against the pillow during the cycle, keeping it fluffy and knocking loose any remaining spores. Repeat this step as needed until you are absolutely sure that the item is dry, inside and out. (See Tips)
-
Step 4
Now that you've killed the mildew, you may still be left with discoloration on the fabric and a faint musty scent. First, tackle the color issue. Put a small amount of lemon juice in dish. Dip a cotton swab into the juice, then gently dab the juice onto the discolored spots. Use only enough to moisten the fabric surface in the effected area. Allow to dry completely, then brush gently with the soft bristle brush. If the spot is still there, you may want to repeat the process with the lemon juice or resort to a solution of 1 tablespoon of color-safe bleach in 1 cup of warm water. Repeat the process, using a cotton swab to moisten the fabric where still shows mildew spots. Even though you are using color-safe bleach diluted in water, there is still a risk of fading the original color, so this choice should be your last resort.
-
Step 5
In spite of all of your work so far, your items may still be left with a faint musty odor. In the spray bottle, mix a solution which is ½ water and ½ distilled white vinegar. Test the bottle by spraying it into the sink and adjust the nozzle until it makes a fine mist. Mist the surface of your thoroughly, then pop it back into the lingerie bag and into the dryer. Don't forget the tennis balls! This time, set the dryer to low heat with the longest cycle. Just as you did earlier, you will want to make sure your item is completely dry. Run it through the dryer (low heat) again, if necessary.
I have used white vinegar to defeat all kinds of smells from pet odors to sour milk, and it's the best thing I know of to get rid of mildew mustiness. The vinegar scent fades in a day, at most, and the musty smell is gone for good.
