How to Get Rid of Mold Smell in Clothes

Dry your clothes thoroughly to prevent mildew recurrence.

Mildew can manifest itself on clothing for a variety of reasons. If your clothes are dried improperly, left in a humid or wet environment or placed near other mildew spores, they may become affected. Even when you take steps to remove the surface mildew, the musty, unpleasant odor can remain due to microscopic residue left behind.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• Soft cloth
• Lemon juice
• Sponge
• Salt
• Washing machine
• White distilled vinegar
• Laundry detergent

Instructions

1. Place a pair of rubber gloves on your hands and thoroughly examine your clothing for any visible mold that may remain. If you notice a gray or greenish discoloration, indicated by a pasty liquid (active mildew) or thick powder (inactive mildew), accompanied by a musty odor, you will need to remove this first. Take the articles outside and use a soft cloth to wipe away as much surface mold as possible.

2. Soak a clean sponge in lemon juice and scrub the entire inner and outer surface of the clothing to dampen the garment. If you notice visible mold stains, scrub pour a few drops of lemon juice straight from the bottle onto the stains and scrub vigorously.

3. Sprinkle salt along the entire surface or each article and place in the sun to dry. The chemical combination of citric acid and sodium chloride from the lemon juice and salt respectively will help to defeat even the most stubborn lingering mildew spores without ruining your fabrics, according to a report by the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

4. Rinse each article thoroughly using the hottest water safe for the fabric of your garment. Make sure to remove all remaining salt.

5. Place your clothing in a washing machine and add 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar with your standard laundry detergent. Wash using your regular settings and place each article in the sun to dry. Make sure that clothes are completely dry before bringing inside. Even faint dampness can allow spores to remain.

References

• University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences: Mildew Prevention and Removal
• Vinegar Tips: 1001 Uses for White, Distilled Vinegar
• Earth Easy: Non-Toxic Home Cleaning