How to Remove Mold From Clothing in the Laundry
Clothing that is left damp and in a humid location without adequate sunlight will start to grow mold and mildew. Mold will not only stain your clothing and cause the item to have a musty odor but can also eat away at the fibers and ruin the garment.
To prevent mold from growing, do not allow clothing to stay damp, and keep garments in a cool, dry area. A few home remedies can successfully remove mold from garments. No matter what method of mold removal you choose, you must first take the garment outside and brush off the surface mold with a cloth.
Things You Will Need
- Washing machine
- Distilled white vinegar
- Dryer
- Lemon juice
- Table salt
- Bleach
- Warm water
- Sponge
Vinegar
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Turn on your washing machine and allow the washer to begin to fill with water.
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Add ¾ cup distilled white vinegar to the water.
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Place the moldy garments in the washing machine. Allow the washer to run through the cycle.
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Remove the garments and check for mold stains. If no mold stains are present, dry the items as you normally would. If stains are still visible, repeat the process.
Lemon Juice and Salt
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Lay the garment on a flat surface.
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Pour lemon juice over the mold stain.
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Sprinkle table salt over the lemon juice and stain.
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Place the garment in the sun to dry thoroughly.
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Launder the garment as you normally would.
Bleach
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Create a solution of 2 tbsp. bleach and 1 qt. warm water.
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Saturate a sponge in the solution.
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Dab the stain with the saturated sponge. Allow the bleach to soak into the stain for 15 minutes.
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Rinse the stain with water.
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Soak the area in undiluted vinegar to stop the bleaching action. Launder the item as you normally would.
Tip
Always test the stain removal method in an inconspicuous spot. If color-bleeding or damage occurs, discontinue use and try another method.
Warning
Never mix bleach with ammonia or products containing ammonia.
The Drip Cap
- Clothing that is left damp and in a humid location without adequate sunlight will start to grow mold and mildew.
- No matter what method of mold removal you choose, you must first take the garment outside and brush off the surface mold with a cloth.
- Remove the garments and check for mold stains.
- Place the garment in the sun to dry thoroughly.
- Launder the garment as you normally would.
References
Writer Bio
Amanda Flanigan began writing professionally in 2007. Flanigan has written for various publications, including WV Living and American Craft Council, and has published several eBooks on craft and garden-related subjects. Flanigan completed two writing courses at Pierpont Community and Technical College.
Photo Credits
- dirty laundry image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
- dirty laundry image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
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