The Best Way to Remove Mold From Cotton Fabric

The Best Way to Remove Mold From Cotton Fabric
Written By
Mary Ylisela
Mary Ylisela
Published: Sep 12, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

While commercial and chemical products are effective for removing mold from cotton fabric, supplies found at home are equally effective without the chemical exposure.

Things You Will Need

  • Scrub brush
  • Laundry detergent
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup table salt
  • Bowl
  • Paint brush
  1. Take cotton fabric outside to brush visible mold spores off. Use a stiff-bristled brush and brush away from you so mold spores don't land on your clothing.

  2. Start the mold-removal process in the wash machine.
  3. Launder cotton fabric in the hottest water possible, with laundry detergent and 1 cup white vinegar. Add the white vinegar to the wash cycle to kill mold spores.

  4. Lemon is a natural mold killer.
  5. Combine 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/4 cup salt to make a mold-killing paste. Apply the lemon and salt paste to cotton fabric at the site of any remaining mold stains with an unused paint brush. Place the cotton fabric outside in direct sunlight until dried.

  6. Flush the cotton fabric with warm water to remove the lemon and salt paste. Wash the cotton fabric according to the directions on the care label and dry in the sun.

The Drip Cap

  • Mold forms and spreads on cotton fabric when it sits in a warm, moist location for a long period of time.
  • Mold on cotton fabric requires immediate removal.
  • Flush the cotton fabric with warm water to remove the lemon and salt paste.

Photo Credits

clothes shop image by Radu Razvan from Fotolia.com

clothes shop image by Radu Razvan from Fotolia.com

laundry image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com

LEMONS image by brelsbil from Fotolia.com

Mary Ylisela

Mary Ylisela is a former teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and mathematics. She has been a writer since 1996, specializing in business, fitness and education. Prior to teaching, Ylisela worked as a certified fitness…

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