How to Get Mold Out of Clothes: Follow the Tips to Return Their Fresh Look and Purity!
In This Article
Mold growth on clothes is a common issue in damp homes or working environments. Its presence not only result in unpleasant look and odors of your garments, but can also lead to health concerns. There is no need to throw away your clothes when you find those black stains on them, because there are reliable techniques, which show you the steps how to get mold out of the fabrics. Today we are going to help you to choose the right cleaning approach to successfully remove this infestation from your clothes, restoring their original fresh look and purity.
What are the Prevention Measures Against Mold on Clothes?
Prevention is key to avoid mold growth on your garments, and to do so, you should keep in mind some tips, the first of which is ensuring a good ventilation. That means to allow air circulation in closets, wardrobes and other places, where your clothes are stored. This will prevent moisture buildup. Then, be careful to avoid putting damp or wet garments there, which would provide a possibility for mold growth. After that, think about whether your home is prone to high humidity levels, and if it is so, consider using dehumidifiers. It’s better to use airtight containers or garment bags to protect clothes from moisture and development of mold spores.
How to Get Mold Out of Clothes with Baking Soda
Baking soda is a valuable household substance useful for many cleaning purposes, as well as to eliminate mold from clothes. Begin your treatment with brushing off any loose mold spores from the clothes somewhere outside – in your garden or balcony. Then add 8 tablespoons of baking soda in a basin, full of cool water. Submerge the affected clothes in the prepared solution and let them soak for about an hour. You should scrub the infested garments areas slightly with a soft brush or sponge, and rinse them carefully to remove the residues of soda and mold. The next step is to launder your clothes with a detergent, as written in the garments instructions.
Will Vinegar Bleach Clothes When Treating with It?
Maybe you are in a puzzle how to get mold out of clothes, which are delicate and thin. In this situation, vinegar is one of the most suitable cleaning agent, which is both effective and natural. It will help to solve the problem without damaging the fabric. If you are ready to use this approach, mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water in a spraying bottle. Mist the vinegar solution directly onto the mold-infested areas of the garment, allowing this natural substance to penetrate into the fabric for about 15 minutes. After that, slightly scrub the affected clothes areas with a soft brush or sponge and rinse the garment thoroughly with water to remove the residues. Finally, launder the clothes as usual, adding vinegar again, but this time to the rinse cycle to eliminate any remaining mold spores.
How Do You Get Mold Out of Fabric the Other Way?
Trying to solve the problem, how to get mold out of clothes, sometimes applying a single method is not enough. Therefore, in case of more severe infestation, try to combine two approaches. Here are some of the most effective suggestions:
- Brushing off clothes:
- Take the mold-infested garments in the garden or on your balcony and gently brush off any visible mold stains.
- Remove as much as possible of the mold with a soft-bristled brush or a clean cloth.
- Vacuum your clothes to eliminate loosened spores.
- Launder them immediately after vacuuming.
- Treat with borax:
- Prepare a cleaning solution, mixing one cup (200 g) of borax with a gallon (3.8 L) of water.
- Soak your infested clothes in this solution for 30–60 minutes.
- Rinse the garments thoroughly.
- Launder them as usual.
- Cleaning with bleach:
- Mix three parts water with one part bleach.
- Apply this bleach solution to the mold-stained areas with a sponge or cloth.
- Let the solution sit for a 4–5 minutes before rinsing the clothes.
- Launder the garments as usual.
- Sun exposure treatment:
- Take the cleaned and rinsed clothes outside when the sun is shining.
- Place the garments in direct sunlight, ensuring that all the treated areas are exposed.
- Let the clothes stay in the sun for at least several hours, or until they are dry.
- Launder the garments again to remove any remaining mold particles.
It’s known that sunlight helps kill mold spores and remove mildew odors naturally.
Choose the methods that suit the fabric type of your clothes and severity of the mold infestation. With the right approach, you can restore the garments to a mold-free and fresh condition.
Read also: How to Remove Black Stains from a Wood Deck? Follow This Detailed Guide!
And: How to Protect Outdoor Wooden Furniture from Mold & Remove It? Easy Tricks for Guaranteed Results