How to Remove Mold and Mildew from Clothes

Finding mold on your clothes can be a disheartening discovery. The appearance of mold growth can make your clothing unsightly, cause musty odors, and damage the materials. Mold often appears on clothing due to exposure to moisture or storage in a damp area that is not well ventilated, like a dresser drawer or closet. It is also possible for mold and mildew in your washing machine to affect your clothing.

In some situations, it is possible to remove mold from your clothing yourself and restore it to its original condition. In this guide, we will discuss the steps you can take to effectively remove mold from your clothing as well as what you can do to prevent your clothing from becoming affected by mold. It is important to act fast once you notice mold on your clothing to prevent the mold and the damage it causes from spreading.

How Do Clothes Get Mold?

Clothing is particularly susceptible to mold growth because the fabric provides mold with necessary nutrients to survive. The main trigger of mold growth on clothing is moisture as mold spores cling to damp and wet clothing and feed on organic nutrients within the fabric. This typically happens when clothing is stored in poorly ventilated areas or when it is put away after being washed, but before it could thoroughly dry. There is also an increased risk of mold and mildew on clothing if it is not washed for an extended period of time.

The odor is usually the first sign of mold on clothing. If you notice this smell coming from a closet or dresser drawer, make sure to thoroughly check your clothing for visible signs of mold growth. The mold may be fuzzy or slimy in texture and gray, white, black, or green in color.

What to Do If You Find Mold on Your Clothes

The first thing you need to do when you find mold on your clothing is assess the situation and consider the following before determining how to proceed:

• How extensive is the damage? Is there a single small spot of mold, or is the entire garment affected?
• Are other pieces of clothing also affected by mold? It is unlikely that a single piece of clothing will have mold growth while others around it are untouched.
• How important is the damaged clothing? Your great-grandmother’s antique wedding dress is probably worth restoring while the sweater you bought on clearance last year might not be.

If the damage is minor, and the affected garments do not hold sentimental or monetary value, you may be able to remove the mold from the clothes yourself. However, if the garments are too important to lose, or the mold damage is extensive, call a reputable mold remediation professional who also specializes in content cleaning or soft goods cleaning.

How to Remove Mold from Your Clothes

If you decide to remove the mold from your clothing yourself, it is important to do the job safely. Make sure you protect yourself from mold exposure by using eye protection, disposable gloves, and a mask, preferably an N-95 mask so you do not inhale the mold spores. Once you have gathered the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), you can follow these steps to effectively remove mold from your clothing.

Read the Care Label

Before beginning any cleaning, read the care labels on your affected clothing. The label should include information on the most effective way to wash the item of clothing, including water temperature and drying instructions. Following the instructions on the label will prevent further damage to the fabric.

Brush the Mold Stain

The first thing you should do is brush the dry mold stain to remove some of the visible mold. Use a toothbrush or another type of stiff bristled brush and be sure to brush both sides of the fabric. It is best to do this outdoors so the mold spores you brush away do not spread within your home.

Spot Treat Stains or Pre-Soak the Clothing

After brushing away as much mold as possible, you can then treat the affected clothing by spot treating the stains or soaking the clothing before washing it in the washing machine. To spot treat the stains, apply a few drops of heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent to the stains. You can also use undiluted white vinegar to spray the stains. Let the garment sit for about 15 minutes before putting it in the washing machine.

You can choose to pre-soak the fabric before washing it to help loosen the stains. To do this, let the garment sit submerged in a commercial pre-soak product, or in a bucket with a solution that is equal parts water and white vinegar. If you use a commercial pre-soak, let the clothing saturate for one hour before removing it. If you are using the vinegar solution, let the clothes sit for 30 minutes before washing them. Do not mix vinegar with bleach.

Wash the Clothes in the Washing Machine

After spot treating and pre-soaking the clothing, you can wash them in your washing machine at the hottest water temperature recommended by the care label. Hot water is effective for killing mold spores as well as removing bacteria and allergens. Add heavy-duty detergent to the wash cycle, as well as a mold-killing disinfectant. The best disinfectant to use depends on the type of clothing:

• White cotton fabric: For clothing that is 100 percent white cotton fabric, you can add 1 quart of distilled white vinegar or chlorine bleach to the wash cycle. Make sure to follow the directions on the label when using chlorine bleach.
• Light-colored synthetic fabric: For light-colored clothing made from synthetic materials, you can add diluted chlorine bleach, distilled white vinegar, or borax to the wash cycle. Remember to never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar or borax as mixing these products creates toxic fumes.
• Dark-colored natural or synthetic fabric: For dark colored clothing, add pine oil or a phenolic disinfectant like Lysol to the wash cycle. These products help avoid color fading.

Hang Dry Clothing Outdoors

When the wash cycle is complete, hang your clothing outside so it can dry in the sun. Sunlight can kill mold spores and the airflow from the breeze will help ensure that the clothing is thoroughly dried.

Do not put the clothing in your dryer as the heat from the dryer can make the stains more visible and difficult to remove.

Address Lingering Mold Stains

If the mold stains are still visible after completing this process, you can repeat the process until the stains are completely removed. For persistent stains that are still visible after repeating the above-mentioned process, you can treat them with oxygen-based bleach by following these steps:

• Follow the directions on the package to mix the oxygen-based bleach with warm water. Make sure the clothing is completely submerged in the solution and let it soak for at least 8 hours.
• Check the stains and if they have been removed, you can wash the clothing in a normal wash cycle.
• If the stains persist, repeat this soaking process until the stains are gone. It may take several soakings to completely remove the stains.

Removing Mold from Non-Washable Clothing

It is possible to remove mold stains from clothing that is not machine washable. The best method for removing mold from non-washable clothing is to apply distilled white vinegar directly to the stain and scrub it with an old toothbrush. For stubborn stains, you can add baking soda and continue scrubbing until you remove the stain.

The mixture of white vinegar and baking soda is effective for killing mold and removing stains without affecting the color of the fabric.

How to Prevent Your Clothing from Becoming Affected by Mold or Mildew

While removing mold stains from your clothing is possible, it is best to prevent your clothing from becoming affected by mold in the first place. Following these easy steps can help you protect your clothing from mold:

• Dry clothes completely: Make sure your clothes have been completely dried before putting them in your closet or dresser.
• Store clothes in a well-ventilated area: Air circulation helps prevent moisture accumulation which prevents mold. Make sure the areas where you store your clothing are well ventilated and allow for air circulation.
• Use moisture-absorbing products: You can place silica gel packets and other moisture-absorbing packets in the areas where you store your clothing to absorb excess moisture.
• Wash your clothes regularly: Damp and soiled clothing is much more prone to mold growth than clean clothes. Wash your clothing regularly and make sure it is thoroughly dried before putting it away.
• Use a dehumidifier: Consider placing a dehumidifier in areas of your home with high humidity levels such as basements and laundry rooms to help keep your clothes dry.

Related Read: Removing Mold From Places You Store Laundry

Call a Mold Remediation Professional

Finding mold on your clothes can be frustrating, but it’s an issue that can be resolved with the right approach. Mold thrives in damp environments, so acting quickly is essential to minimize damage and prevent its spread. By following proper cleaning techniques and using effective mold-removal products, you can restore your clothing and eliminate musty odors. However, prevention is always better than remediation. Ensure your clothes are completely dry before storing them, maintain good ventilation in storage areas, and use moisture-absorbing materials like silica gel packets or dehumidifiers. With these proactive steps, you can protect your clothing and keep mold at bay.

If the mold stains on your clothing are severe, it is best to call a professional that can effectively treat and restore your clothing. Mold remediation experts use specialized processes to treat delicate materials affected by mold, like clothing, to completely remove the mold and restore them to their original condition. These professionals can also remove mold growth from closets and laundry rooms to prevent the mold from spreading to your clothing or other areas of your home.