How to Get Mold & Mildew Out of Clothes

Wet clothing can grow moldy when left in a laundry hamper.

You can prevent mold and mildew growth on clothing by keeping fabrics dry. Mold and mildew grows in damp, warm conditions, so never allow moist fabrics to lie around for long periods of time. Either wash these items immediately, or lay them flat to dry. Mold and mildew growth can begin in as little as 24 hours, so finding mold or mildew on fabric at some time may be inevitable. The sooner the growth is spotted, the easier the stain will be to remove.

Things You'll Need

• Scrub brush
• Sunlight
• Bleach
• Lemon
• Salt
• Washing machine

Instructions

1. 

   Brush the stain outdoors.

   Take the moldy or mildewed clothing outdoors to decrease the chances of releasing mold spores indoors. Brush the affected areas firmly to remove as much of the mold as possible.

2. Lay the item out in the sun to allow the article to dry fully. Leaving the item in open air will also aid in reducing the mold or mildew smell.

3. Wash the clothing in a washing machine with detergent and the hottest water possible for the fabric type. Take non-washable items to the dry cleaner. Follow the additional steps if the stain remains after being washed.

4. 

   Apply a bleach treatment with a sponge.

   Apply a bleach treatment for tough stains on colorfast clothing. Mix lemon juice and salt. Sponge the solution on the stained area. Leave the clothing in the sun to bleach and dry. Alternatively, mix 2 tbsp. of chlorine bleach with 1 qt. of water. Apply the solution with a sponge, or soak the material for five to 15 minutes.

5. Remove leftover solution by washing the clothes with laundry detergent in a washing machine. Dry as normal.

Tips & Warnings

• Test all fabrics for colorfastness before applying a bleach solution.

References

• University of Missouri Extension: How to Prevent and Remove Mildew-Home Methods
• Purdue University: Mold-Cleanup