How to remove mold stains from fabric at home and wash clothes in a washing machine or by hand?

It can be upsetting to find mold stains on your favorite clothing, but you can bring your clothes back to their former splendor by taking the appropriate measures. Not only can mold leave unsightly marks, but it can also smell bad, so it’s critical to address the problem as soon as possible.

Fortunately, there are a few easy steps you can take to remove mold from fabric at home. There are efficient ways to make sure your clothes are clean and fresh again, regardless of whether you prefer to wash them by hand or in a washing machine. You can keep your wardrobe in great condition by learning how to safely and effectively remove mold stains by using the advice in this article.

Method Description
Vinegar Solution Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water, apply to the stain, let it sit for an hour, then wash the fabric as usual.
Baking Soda Paste Combine baking soda with water to make a paste, rub it onto the stain, allow it to dry, and then rinse off before washing.
Lemon Juice and Salt Squeeze lemon juice onto the stain, sprinkle salt over it, rub gently, and leave in the sun for a few hours before washing.
Hydrogen Peroxide Apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse and wash as usual.
Washing Machine Use a mold-fighting detergent, set the machine to a hot cycle, and add an extra rinse to remove any remaining spores.

Whether washing clothes by hand or in a machine, you can effectively remove mold stains from fabric at home with basic household methods. You can bring your fabric back to life and make sure it’s safe to wear again by following the right procedures and using the right cleaning supplies.

Why does mold appear on clothes?

The growth of mold fungus on clothing is caused by a number of factors. It multiplies in specific circumstances. This is made possible by:

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  • High humidity. Mold can appear on linen that is stored in a damp room, such as a bathroom. This can also happen if dirty things lie damp for a long time.
  • Lack of free air circulation. Such a problem can occur if things are in a tightly closed box, drawer, airtight bag or sack for a long time.
  • Low air temperature. Fungus can develop on clothes that are in a cold room for too long.
  • Storing linen that is not completely dry. Damp items begin to rot, and various microorganisms, as well as mold fungi, develop in their fibers.
  • Storage in a room, walls, ceilings or furniture in which are infected with mold. Mold is quite easy to recognize. It looks like black extensive stains with dark green inclusions.

Which fabrics are most susceptible to mold formation?

Any fabric, whether it is made entirely of synthetic fibers or only contains natural raw materials, can be impacted by mold fungi. For this reason, mold stains can occur on a dress made of polyester or viscose fabric as well as on a cotton or linen towel under specific circumstances.

How to get rid of mold on clothes?

This problem can be solved in a variety of ways. Any home can have improvised tools that can be used to remove mold. Household chemicals can also be used to remove mold from clothing. Cleaning soiled white objects calls for a unique strategy. They should be treated for such stains with products that won’t turn the fabric gray or yellow.

If the items are white

It is advised to test the cleaning solution on the least noticeable part of the item before attempting to remove mold stains from white clothes. For the snow-white item, it is 100% safe if the fabric does not turn yellow or gray after 20 to 30 minutes.

The table provides comprehensive instructions on how to correctly prepare and use cleaning products to remove such contaminants from white clothing:

Main ingredients Preparing a cleaning agent Application
Salt, ammonia In 500 ml of water, dissolve 3 t. l. salt and 1 h. l. ammonia. Treat the contaminated area with a cotton pad soaked in the solution. After 2 hours. wash the product in a washing machine or by hand.
Hydrogen peroxide Not required Wipe the stained area with a cotton pad soaked in the liquid, and then rinse the item thoroughly.
Ascorbic acid, vodka Dilute 10 g of ascorbic acid in 50 ml of vodka. Apply the product to the stained area and rub with a brush. After the solution is completely dry, wash the clothes.
Bar soap, hydrogen peroxide Mix 1 tbsp. l. peroxide and 1 liter of water. Rub soap on the contaminated area moistened with water. Then soak the product for 10 minutes in an aqueous peroxide solution. Upon completion of the procedure, rinse the laundry in warm water.
Ammonia, salt Dissolve 5 ml of ammonia and 20 g of salt in 1 liter of water. Boil soiled clothes in a boiling solution for half an hour. Wash an item. This method is recommended for cleaning linen products.

High temperatures are not good for mold growth. It is advised to wash soiled items in water at the highest temperature suitable for the fabric they are made of in order to remove it.

Using products from the kitchen

These kinds of stains can be removed from clothing with products found in any kitchen. Mold on fabric can be successfully removed with vinegar, soda, a solution of onion and lemon juice, and fermented milk products (kefir, whey, sour milk). It is important to carefully follow the dosage instructions and not leave cleaning agents on the fabric for longer than necessary when using those based on the components listed. The following table provides comprehensive instructions on how to use and prepare them correctly:

Main ingredients Preparation of a cleaning agent Application
Fermented milk products Not required Apply kefir, sour milk or whey generously to the stained area. Wash the item with detergent after 8–12 hours. It is recommended to use conditioner when rinsing. This measure will help get rid of the specific sour smell.
9% vinegar Soak the stained item in vinegar for 5–10 minutes. Wash the laundry, adding conditioner to the water during rinsing. To get rid of the characteristic vinegar smell, it is recommended to dry the item in the fresh air.
Onion, lemon Mix lemon and onion juice in equal proportions. Apply the solution generously to the stained area. After 20 minutes, rinse the product, then wash with detergent. Use conditioner to eliminate the pungent odor.
Soda Dilute soda with warm water until a paste forms. Apply the mass to the stained area in a thick layer. After 1 hour, wash the clothes in water at the maximum temperature allowed for the fabric.

Using pharmacy and improvised means (chalk, ammonia, etc.)

A moldy towel or bedding can be removed with products made with chalk, ammonia, turpentine, and borax. You must consider certain subtleties when using them. Turpentine, for instance, is limited to use on dark-colored clothing. The following table provides information on how to use and prepare cleaning products according to the components listed:

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Main ingredients Preparing the Cleanser Application
Salt, ammonia Mix 1 tbsp. l. ammonia, 2 tbsp. l. salt and 500 ml of water. Heat the solution until the salt dissolves completely. Apply the liquid to the stained area. Wash the item after 15 minutes. This product is ideal for cleaning light-colored kitchen towels.
Turpentine, talc, baby powder or dry clay Not required Wet the stained area with liquid. Sprinkle the dry ingredient on top of the wetted area. Cover it with a sheet of white paper and iron with a warm iron. At the end of the procedure, wash the item, using conditioner when rinsing. This product will help wash out such stains from dark-colored wool and silk clothes.
Chalk Crush into powder Pour a thick layer of crushed chalk onto the stained area. Cover this place with a sheet of white paper and iron with a warm iron. After that to wash the thing. This tool is suitable for cleaning cotton products.
Bura Dilute the powder with water in a proportion of 1: 2. You can also use the finished solution. Apply a solution to a stained area. After 20 minutes, rinse the thing and wash.

Special products of household chemicals

If the mold got into your clothes, bedding, or towels and your makeshift solutions didn’t work, you could try using common household chemicals to get rid of it. Returning cotton products to their original state will aid in the "Domestos" household brand’s success. Use it as follows to get rid of mold from the fabric:

  1. dissolve 1 tbsp. l. gel in 500 ml of water;
  2. boil the resulting solution;
  3. cook a moldy thing until there is no trace of mold;
  4. Wash the thing.

It is advised to closely follow the recommended dosage and duration of exposure to clothing when using aggressive products. Effectively eliminates stains from light wool, linen, and cotton garments using "Novost" clothing powder. It ought to be applied as follows:

  1. dissolve 50 ml of detergent in 3 liters of boiling water;
  2. soak a moldy item in a soap solution for 1 hour;
  3. wash the product by hand or in a washing machine.

Belizna is capable of removing old mold stains. How to apply it:

  1. 1 tbsp. l. mix the liquid with 500 ml of water;
  2. bring the resulting solution to a boil;
  3. place the stained item in a boiling mixture;
  4. after 10 minutes, remove the product and wash.

Nanny bleach effectively removes fresh stains. This is how you should use this tool:

  1. Mix 200 ml of boiling water, 3 t. l. soda, 1 t. l. whitening agent and 1 h. l. salts;
  2. apply a solution abundantly on a moldy area;
  3. rub the treated area with a sponge;
  4. after 10 minutes, rinse the item and wash it.

For example, stains like these on a bathroom synthetic curtain can be removed with any chlorine-containing product. It must be diluted with water, the product must be soaked in the resultant solution, hand-washed after 30 to 40 minutes, and then hung to dry.

Although handling mold stains on fabric can be difficult, you can effectively remove them and return your clothing to its original state. It is possible to stop the mold from spreading and causing irreversible damage by moving fast and employing the right cleaning techniques.

Adhering to the suggested procedures guarantees that the mold is completely eliminated, regardless of whether you decide to wash your clothes by hand or in a machine. To prevent further damage to the fabric, don’t forget to treat the affected areas carefully and use the right cleaning solutions.

You can prevent mold growth and preserve the look and quality of your clothing for an extended period of time by following these precautions. Future mold growth can also be avoided by providing regular care and appropriate storage.

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Sergey Litvinov

I have been working in the field of textile art for over 20 years. I am passionate about textile design and create unique things inspired by traditions and modern trends. In my articles, I talk about how you can use fabrics to create unique and stylish things with your own hands.

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