Things You'll Need
Bucket
Water
1/2 cup bleach
1/4 cup laundry detergent
Washcloth
Rough-sided sponge
Mold and mildew are a pain to get rid of in the home. Mold commonly grows in the bathroom, and on plastic shower curtains, but it is likely to grow anywhere that has a lot of moisture in the air. After mold has been in a material like plastic, it can leave a lingering smell. Don't worry. A lingering mold smell doesn't always mean replacement. Some common household products can help eliminate those unpleasant smells when used in regular cleaning.
Step 1
Fill a bucket 3/4 full of warm water.
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Step 2
Mix 1/2 cup of bleach and 1/4 cup of a mild detergent into the water. Common detergents like dish washing liquid will work.
Step 3
Remove any visible signs of mold from the plastic before cleaning by using a washcloth to wipe the mold off the surface. Use a washcloth you don't mind throwing away.
Step 4
Dip a rough-sided sponge into the cleaning solution, and scrub the plastic you want to remove the mold smell from. If it is an object small enough to fit into the bucket, you can also soak the object in the cleaning solution for 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing.
Tip
Clean the plastic once every few days if the mold smell doesn't go away immediately.
If the object would be a safe in a clothes washer, adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to your regular laundry detergent; washing in the washer will help eliminate mold and mold smells.
To prevent future mold growth, keep the area the plastic is stored in dry and well-ventilated. In the bathroom, this means running the exhaust fan for a while after showers. For other areas, leave doors open to better ventilate rooms if possible.
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