How to Remove Mildew From Fabric

Mildew is a common occurrence in many households. Understand that mildew is a mold that can be harmful to your health so you have to take precautions to remove it as soon as possible. It can grow in humid environments and if you find it on your fabric or garments, there are many ways in which it can be removed. Here are some household methods to remove mildew.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup salt per 1 pint water
• 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
• 1 tbsp. liquid detergent

Instructions

1. If you have a large piece of fabric that has mildew on it, first test the fabric for color fastness by rubbing a damp white cloth on the material. If the colors do not run, then it is colorfast and you can treat the material.

2. Use a solution of 1 cup buttermilk to 1 gallon of cold water. Soak the fabric in the solution overnight. The next day, you can place the material in the washing machine using cold water and regular liquid detergent. Wash as usual and the mildew should be removed.

3. Notice spots forming on your laundry because you forgot to put them in the dryer fast enough? Don't panic, you can use a mixture of 1/4 cup salt with 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1 pint of warm water. Make a paste of the ingredients and apply to the fabric. Rub the mixture into the spots and then allow the paste to sit for a half hour. Afterwards, wash the load of laundry again with regular detergent.

4. Removing stains from your fabrics can also be accomplished by using a solution of 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol, 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent and 3 cups of water mixed into a spray bottle. Mix all the ingredients together and use as a pre-wash spray for your laundry or fabrics. You can also use this solution on your bath curtains to keep them free from mold and mildew.

5. If the material is white, you can always use bleach. Use 1 1/2 cups of bleach to 2 gallons of water and allow the garment to soak for approximately 10 minutes. Rinse with cold water and place in your washing machine with cold water and regular laundry detergent.

Tips & Warnings

• Treat the fabric early to make sure that there is no chance for health problems

• Make sure that you color test the material prior to using treatments on the fabrics