How to Get Mold and Mildew Out of Polyester Clothing

Mold on your polyester clothing can destroy the fabric.

This synthetic fabric doesn't respond well to extreme heat, which can cause the fabric to shrink, so proper cleaning and stain removal methods are important in order to avoid ruining your clothing. Home remedies are a gentle, effective way to remove mold and mildew from your polyster clothing, along with the accompanying stains and odors.

1. Bring your polyester clothing outside. Remove mold and mildew spores from the surface by brushing your clothes with a scrub brush. Be sure to brush away from outdoor furniture and other items so the mold spores don't transfer to another object.



2. Lay towels down outside and place your polyester clothing on the towels in the sun. Mix equal parts of lemon juice and table salt to spread over the mold and mildew stains. Allow the lemon mixture to dry on your clothing as it kills the fungus and removes stains.

3. Brush the dried lemon and salt mixture off your polyester clothing. Wash your clothes in warm water using laundry detergent.



4. Hang your clothing to dry in the sun. If any mold or mildew spores remain the sunlight will kill them.

Tip

Add oxygen bleach to the wash cycle if your clothes were severely affected by mold and mildew. Soak moldy clothing in a bucket of warm water and 1/4 cup color-safe bleach to kill mold and mildew.

Warning

Though hot water is often recommended to remove mold and mildew, it can cause your polyester clothing to shrink. Use warm water instead.