It is not uncommon for mold to grow on fabrics, especially if we do not allow them to dry completely before storing them in the closet or if we store them in a humid environment. Mold on clothing manifests itself in the form of discolored spots. To remove it, you need to wash or scrub the moldy garment with a cleaning agent, such as a fabric stain remover, borax, bleach, or baking soda.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use a Fabric Stain Remover and Vinegar
Step 1. Start removing mold by scrubbing with a toothbrush
Take an old toothbrush and rub it on the parts where the fabric is moldy. Try to remove as much mold as possible by scrubbing gently. When you're done, throw away your toothbrush right away.
Work in a well-ventilated area of the house or better still outdoors. Mold spores can fly and be carried elsewhere in the air, such as on other clothes, or worse yet, you could inhale them as you breathe
Step 2. Treat mold with a fabric stain remover
After scrubbing the moldy fibers with your toothbrush, apply a generous dose of stain remover. Let the product sit for 30 minutes, so it has time to soak into the fabric and kill the mold.
You can buy a fabric stain remover at the supermarket, look for it in the area dedicated to laundry detergents
Step 3. Wash the garment by itself with warm water
Put it in the washing machine and set a high temperature wash cycle. Do not add any more clothes or linens as there is a risk that mold spores can transfer to previously pristine fabrics.
If your washing machine requires minimal weight to operate, you can add a few mops or an old towel
Step 4. Take advantage of the properties of vinegar
When the washing machine drum is full of water, you can add 200ml of vinegar to make sure the mold is removed from the fabric. Read the instructions for using the washing machine to find out which tub to pour it into.
Vinegar can also remove bad odors that may have impregnated a moldy garment
Step 5. Let the garment air dry
You won't know if the mold has disappeared until the garment is perfectly dry. At that moment you can check if the color has returned to its original state. Let the garment air dry, hang on the clothesline or lay it on a flat surface.
If the weather conditions allow it, you can put it to dry outdoors, preferably in full sun. If mold spores remain on the fabric, they will be killed by the heat emanating from the sun's rays
Method 2 of 3: Use Bleach
Step 1. Wash the garment in the washing machine at a high temperature
Whatever the garment or fabric object in question, if it has been affected by mold it is a must to wash it with very hot water. Boiling water removes, but also kills, mold, while cold or lukewarm water is ineffective.
Bleach can only be used to remove mold from whites because it damages all other colors. If the moldy garment is dark or colored, use another method
Step 2. Add laundry detergent
After soaking in boiling water, use the laundry detergent as you normally do.
Step 3. Add the bleach
When you see that foam has formed, pour 250 ml of bleach into the bleach container. Read the instruction manual to find out which one is correct.
There may be indications on the bleach bottle on the amount to use depending on the type of laundry. If they specify to use more or less than 250 ml, respect the instructions for use
Step 4. Complete the wash cycle as usual
After adding the detergent and bleach, wait for the wash and rinse cycle to finish. Once complete, the mold should have been completely removed.
If you notice that there is still mold on the fabric, do not put the garment to dry. By itself, the heat of the dryer or that of the sun will not be able to kill the mold
Method 3 of 3: Using Borax
Step 1. Wash the garment at a high temperature
Hot water is much more effective when it comes to removing mold stains from fabrics. Put the garment in the washing machine and pour the laundry detergent into the detergent compartment. Do not add any other clothing, unless they are also moldy.
Step 2. Dissolve half a cup of borax in boiling water
Pour very hot water into a saucepan or bowl, add 120 g of borax and then stir with a spoon until the powder has dissolved completely.
Step 3. Add hot water with borax to the laundry in the washing machine
When you are certain that the borax has completely dissolved in the hot water, slowly pour the mixture into the tub or drum of the washing machine.
Step 4. Complete the normal wash cycle
The final rinse should be able to remove any cleaning agents you have added to remove mold stains.
Allow clothes or textiles to air dry after washing
Advice
- Be very careful when handling bleach or any other caustic substance. Protect your eyes and skin from splashes.
- If the mold stains don't come off, take the garment to the laundry for dry cleaning. The solvents used are capable of effectively killing and removing mold.
