How to Get Mildew Stains Out of Clothes

Mildew will eventually grow on any fabrics that remain damp for an extended period. Mildew is a dark stain that smells musty and will continue to spread throughout fabric if not stopped. When mildew appears, to save the fabric, it is important to treat it quickly to prevent it from setting permanently. Laundering and direct sunlight are often all that are necessary to get mildew stains out of clothes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stiff-bristled brush
• Laundry detergent
• Outdoor clothesline and clothespins
• Chlorine or color-safe bleach

1. Lay the clothing out on a flat surface and assess the extent of the mildew damage.

2. Step outside and grasp the clothing firmly above the mildew stains. Use a stiff-bristled brush to remove as much of the loose mildew from the surface of the clothing. Shake the clothing out.

3. Wash the clothing in the washing machine with the appropriate amount of laundry detergent for the size of the wash load. Wash the clothing in warm water.

4. Remove the clothing from the washing machine and hang it from the clothesline on a sunny day. Direct sunlight often fades or completely removes mildew stains from clothing.

5. Soak the clothing in bleach if the mildew stains persist. Mix 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach and 3/4 cup of water and use for clothing that can be chlorine bleached. Use 1/4 cup of color-safe bleach instead of chlorine bleach for clothing that is not color safe. Soak the clothing for up to 15 minutes and then rinse well. Wash the clothing in the washing machine as you did in Step 3.

6. Repeat step 4 to finish removing the mildew stains.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider dry cleaning clothing items that cannot be machine-washed.

References

• Penn State University: Removing Mildew