How to Clean Mildew Off Clothes

Have you ever left wet laundry in a hamper only to discover on laundry day that there is now mold growing on your favorite clothes? This simple trick that might help you save your clothes from the trash can. A little bit of elbow grease and a tooth brush is all you'll need.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bleach or color safe bleach
• Tooth brush
• Laundry pre-treat
• Pyrex measuring container
• Water

1. Spray laundry pre-treatment onto area with mildew. Grab the tooth brush and start scrubbing the laundry pre-treat into the fabric. You may need to spray more of the pre-treatment onto the area. If the mildew doesn't seem to be getting smaller or lighter, then mix 1/4 a cup of bleach (or color safe bleach) with 1/2 a cup of water in a Pyrex container and dip your tooth brush into mixture, and start scrubbing the area on your clothes with the bleach mixture.

2. Machine wash the clothing item by itself using the hot water setting if possible (Always follow the directions on your clothing labels, especially if hot water will cause shrinking). Let the clothes agitate for a few seconds and then add in bleach and water mixture from the Pyrex container. Once the cycle has finished, examine the area and if there is still mildew use the laundry pre-treat and tooth brush again. It is possible that the mildew problem has affected the fibers deeper down and will not be able to be cleaned off.

3. Repeat using the laundry pre-treat if necessary. It might take more than one application.

Tips & Warnings

• It might take several applications of the pre-treat and bleach to make a difference.
• Always be careful when pouring bleach and protect your self and your clothing.
• Do not re-use the tooth brush for personal use after using it to clean stains.