Too much moisture in homes leads to mold issues. Mold can lurk and grow on every surface and affect ceilings, walls, your laundry room, and even your clothing. Read on to learn ways on how to get rid of mold on clothes and what causes them to appear. Because no matter how it occurs, once mold sticks to your clothes and fabric, you are in big trouble.  

Luckily, you don’t need to throw everything away! Removing mold from clothing is not that complicated. Being quick and persistent can make the mold on your clothes disappear so you can safely put them on again.

Ways Your Clothes Might Show Mold

Mold can grow at the slightest opportunity and produces a strong musty smell which is unpleasant. Furthermore, unsightly spots may appear such as black, brown, green, or gray. 

You can get molds on clothes or any fabric if you…

• kept your clothes in your washer for a period of time
• left a wet towel in a closed bag or at the bottom of the laundry basket
• folded a moist shirt in your closet 
• Stored fabrics in a damp place

How To Get Rid of Mold From Your Clothes

Once you see mold on clothes, removal, and treatment depend on the type of fabric and how old the mold stains are. Newly formed mold is easier to remove by just using a good quality detergent. However, the longer the mold stays on your clothes, the harder it is to get rid of them. 

1. Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions Regarding Garment Care

Always check the manufacturer’s instructions on clothes’ labels especially regarding the suggested water temperature for washing your garments and how they should be dried. 

2. Scrub and Rub Off Mold Stains 

You can choose any of the suggested products below to get rid of mold from your clothes. For tough fabric such as cotton or denim, you can gently brush it off using a clean toothbrush and laundry detergent or cleaning solution of your choice. Try not to damage your clothes as you go through the mold cleaning process.

Pre-Treat Solutions For Removing Mold Stains From Clothes

• Vinegar is antimicrobial and antifungal. Therefore, it is an effective treatment that kills mold but is safe in any fabric. Add one cup of vinegar to a bucket of water then soak clothes for at least one hour. 

-You can also add a cup or two of vinegar for every washing cycle together with your detergent to kill off molds.

-You can also add a cup of white vinegar to your first washing cycle then add ½ cup of baking soda to the 2nd washing cycle. Baking soda helps absorb moisture, get rid of moldy smells, and modifies the PH level of the fabric. As a result, vinegar and baking soda work as a team in eliminating mold from your clothes.

• Chlorine Bleach is an effective stain remover and can effectively kill molds. However,  it can damage fabrics that are tough and fade colors as well. 
• Borax is a common substance used to get rid of mold. It is also effective especially with organic fabrics like cotton or linen. However, borax doesn’t mix easily with water and needs a little bit of preparation.

3. Dry or Pre-soak Your Clothes

You can either dry your clothes under the sun for at least one hour depending on your fabric. Sunlight is good at getting rid of mold stains but it can vanish your fabric’s original color and damage the delicate fabric. So, you can just dry the white ones in the sun and let your colored fabric or clothes be soaked in a vinegar solution or any solution of your choice.

4. Wash Fabric or Clothes in Hot Water

Hot water has the best chance of killing mold spores besides getting rid of bacteria and allergens. Wash clothes in hot water, but be sure to follow the garment’s care label instructions for the required temperature of washing your clothes. 

If you have clothes that can’t be washed, let them be dry cleaned. Use a gentle brush to get rid of as much mold as you can. Place the clothes in a plastic bag and take them to the dry cleaner.

5. Hang-dry Clothes In The Sun

If mold stains are still present, you may want to repeat some previous steps. However, the last step should be hang-drying your clothes in the sun to destroy any mold remaining.

Prevent Mold and Mildew Growth On Clothes

Now you don’t have to worry the next time mold appears in your fabric material. But, with proper care and precautions, you can save yourself from dealing with molds on clothes. Consider following these tips to prevent mold on clothes. 

• Take out your clothes from your washing machine once you finish washing. 
• Hang dry wet clothes right away after washing them or you can put them in a dryer. 
• Avoid putting damp or wet clothes in your laundry hamper. All fabric or types of clothing should completely dry before tossing them in your laundry basket.
• Ensure that clothes are all dry before you store or keep them in closets or any closed containers. 

Contact Professionals For Mold Removal Services

If mold grows in your home, contact Superior Restoration immediately. The mold that grows on clothes can easily proliferate and spread in your home. Mold spores are airborne and can easily grow in other fabrics like carpets, upholstered furniture, rugs, and mattresses. Furthermore, mold can affect the quality of indoor air in your home.

Mold can affect not only the structural integrity of your home but your health as well. So allow professionals to take care of the job since they are skilled and equipped in mold removal and remediation. 

Contact our local office today, Water Damage Ontario. We offer professional mold removal services as well as fire and water damage restoration services.