How to Clean Mildew Odor From Blankets
Improperly stored blankets can easily accumulate mildew if the climate is right. Where moisture and warmth are available, combined with darkness or poorly lit areas, mold and mildew seize opportunity and can attach to any available surface without discretion. If that surface happens to be a blanket that you aren't willing to part with, a little quick thinking and know-how can save it. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Clean cloth
- Lemon juice
- Table salt
- White vinegar
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Scented dryer sheet
Instructions
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1
Ensure that there is no mildew spores present on the blanket by doing a visual inspection.
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2
Pre-treat mildew stains by removing the mildew with a clean cloth and brushing it into the trash and disposing of it immediately. Cover the area with lemon juice and rub table salt into it liberally. Set the blanket outside in the sun and allow it to soak for two to three hours.
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3
Wash the garment in the hottest water possible and don't use any detergent.
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4
Add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
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5
Wash the blanket a second time with a liquid detergent.
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Dry the blanket in the dryer with a scented dryer sheet as soon as the wash cycle is finished. Drying the blanket in the sunshine can also be an effective way to eliminate any lingering odors as sunshine is one of the best natural odor killers.
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Tips & Warnings
Using a scented laundry detergent such as Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day can help to give the blanket a pleasant smell.
Wear gloves, glasses and a mask when cleaning up mold and mildew.
Avoid folding or storing your blanket again until it is completely dry or more mildew will form.
