How To Remove Mold From Clothes? Comprehensive Guide

Moisture-loving fungi like mold (mildew) flourish. It thrives in damp environments, such as a basement or near leaks, so keep an eye out for it there.

Around 10 to 50 percent of homes in Europe and North America have serious mold issues, and the same percentages apply in Australia, Japan, and India. Asthma, allergy symptoms, and breathing difficulties can all be exacerbated by inhaling mold spores that grow inside and outside of your home.

Mold may be removed from your home using a variety of household goods. It’s possible you already have hydrogen peroxide in your medicine cabinet, which is one of these products.

Continue reading to find out when hydrogen peroxide can be used to eliminate mold and when it’s preferable to call in a professional..

Are Mold Stains on Clothes Dangerous?

Mold spores often trigger allergic reactions in humans, making mold stains on clothing harmful. Untreated black mold can be very hazardous to one’s well-being.

Toxins and spores from mold can cause coughing and choking in persons with respiratory problems, as well as fevers, especially in those with asthma. A person’s sensitivity to mold spore exposure can lead to a variety of symptoms, including skin irritation, headaches, and other ailments when exposed to certain varieties of mold.

Do not wear moldy clothes or live in a place that harbors mold. Instead, get rid of the moldy item or have the stain removed as fast as possible.

Many forms of clothing, such as cotton and wool, are vulnerable to mold because it eats away at organic substance, such as fibers.

If you don’t dry your wet garments soon enough, mold can grow on a moist surface in as little as 24 to 48 hours!

The good news is that mold stains on clothing are easy to identify. A magnifying glass or microscope isn’t necessary to view the white or black spots because they grow so quickly! These garments have a damp, musty, or earthy smell to them.

Mold removal can save your garments if caught early enough. You may have to get rid of the discolored clothing if the mold has eaten away at its fibers to the point where it’s beyond repair.

Can You Wash Mold Out of Clothes?

If you use a particular treatment like bleach or another cleaning agent first, you can usually wash mold out of clothes. That stated, you should check the garment to see if the mold has ruined the fabric. The mildewy odor may also be difficult to get rid of.

It’s unlikely that a simple detergent wash will do the trick in this case. If you don’t use a mold-killing chemical on the cloth, the stain will return even if the visible stain is removed.

Fortunately, there are a number of household and commercial mold-killing treatments on the market. Even tea tree oil can kill mold! Bleach is the most well-known method of removing mold from a home.

Why Remove Mold on Clothes?

Even just smelling the musty stench can spur you on to action. The fragrance may be milder if there are fewer spores present. Because of its presence, it may be tempting to overlook it and put off getting rid of it.

1. Avoid Health Complications

Mold has varying effects on various people. Asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems can affect a wide range of people.

Mold is especially dangerous to children. When exposed to fungi as young as seven years old, children have an increased chance of getting asthma.

2. Prevent Expansion

You may assume that mold on your clothing is confined to a single area. Spores fly via the air, which means they have the potential to spread much further and faster than you may expect. Your outerwear may just serve as a portal to the rest of your life. As a result, it is imperative to eradicate the germs as quickly as possible.

A bright and dry climate, for example, is an ideal place for spores to overwinter and survive. They’ll multiply in 24 to 48 hours if it’s humid or cold outside.

3. Keep Your Clothes in Good Condition

These bacteria not only cause a foul odor and discoloration, but they also damage natural fiber clothing. Consequently, colors fade and fabrics deteriorate with time.

Different Methods Of Removing Mold From Clothes

There are a variety of methods for removing mold from clothing. Natural substances are used in some procedures. Fragile components necessitate the services of an expert.

Method #1. Using hydrogen peroxide

Using hydrogen peroxide to remove mold from clothing is an option. Its disinfecting and antibacterial qualities make it a good choice for mold removal.

To use hydrogen peroxide, dilute it with a cup of hot water to a concentration of around 3 percent. Spray the mixture into a hot water-resistant container.

Spray the solution on both sides of the afflicted area of your clothing, and let it dry completely. Ten minutes later, strain the mixture. Rinse and dry the garments in a bucket with the residual solution.

Method #2. Using borax

Borax is another natural substance that can be used to fight mold effectively. Removes the stench from clothing by disinfecting and deodorizing.

Borax must be dissolved before it may be used. Fill a basin with hot water and set it aside. A half-cup of borax should be added next.

When the borax is completely dissolved, stir the solution. Put mold-infested clothing into the bowl and let it sit for twenty minutes.

Afterwards, use the bowl to hand-wash your clothing in the sink. Because borax is an irritant, make sure to use goggles while doing this.

Method #3. Using tea tree oil

To get rid of mold from clothing, use tea tree oil as a third option. A more costly option is available. Mold eradication can be done with a tiny bottle that lasts for a long time. Oil stains can be avoided by purchasing oil that does not include any additives.

One teaspoon of tea tree oil per cup of warm water is all that’s needed to get started with it. After that, use a spray bottle to transfer the mixture.

Spray both sides of the contaminated fabric with the solution. Allow the mixture to rest for a minimum of ten minutes before using.

To wash the fabric, throw the rest of the mixture into a washing machine and do so. However, if you suspect mold in your washer, you should wash by hand. This article about eliminating mold from washing machines may be useful for mold-infested washers.

Method #4. Using baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are a great combination for removing mold spores from clothing. It removes the stench, while the mold is killed.

They’re a fantastic match for removing mold from your home. Use your washing machine for this approach.

Make sure there is no mold in your washing machine. If it’s a front-load washer, look for mold. Here’s a guide on removing mold from the gasket of a front-loader.

When starting out, use water that has had a cup of vinegar added to it for the first time. After that, add a half-cup of baking soda to the water for the second time. That’s all there is to it; you’ve gotten rid of the moldy odor from your garments.

Method #5. Dry cleaning

Dry cleaning is required for some types of clothing. If you have mold-infested clothing, use a delicate brush to remove the mold.

Remove any apparent mold by scrubbing it off and wearing protective clothing and goggles. Next, put your clothing in a bag and deliver them to a dry cleaner.

When you get to the expert, tell them about the mold problem. If you have mold stains that you want to get rid of, be sure to point them out.

How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Clothes

A vinegar and baking soda solution will destroy the mold and eliminate the stench from clothes that have a mildew odour. You only need vinegar and baking soda in your washing machine to accomplish this.

Towels with a musty odor can also benefit from this procedure.

Hanging clothes in the sunshine is another good method. Give them some time to relax. The mildew may be killed by the sunlight, and the fresh air will bring back the scent of your clothes!

Bleaching your clothes with chlorine or oxygen will kill the spores and eliminate the foul scent.

Finally, to eliminate unpleasant scents, you can make use of over-the-counter items like laundry enhancers.

How to Remove Mold From Colored Clothes

The vinegar procedure detailed previously in this article is one of the safest ways to remove mold from colored clothing without hurting the fabric. More than 80% of the mold in the globe is killed by vinegar! If you’ve had mildew in your bathroom or kitchen, it’s a terrific solution.

When you wash your clothes with vinegar, you remove the residue left behind by other soaps and detergents, resulting in brighter colors and softer fibers. As a result, vinegar is a win-win situation for everyone!

Vinegar, on the other hand, will not strip the color from your clothing like chlorine bleach would. Vinegar is a safe addition to the wash for the majority of clothing kinds. Everything else, including dry-clean-only clothes, should always be treated by a specialist if mold is found.

How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Clothes

A vinegar and baking soda solution will destroy the mold and eliminate the stench from clothes that have a mildew odour. You only need vinegar and baking soda in your washing machine to accomplish this.

Towels with a musty odor can also benefit from this procedure.

Hanging clothes in the sunshine is another good method. Give them some time to relax. The mildew may be killed by the sunlight, and the fresh air will bring back the scent of your clothes!

Bleaching your clothes with chlorine or oxygen will kill the spores and eliminate the foul scent.

Finally, to eliminate unpleasant scents, you can make use of over-the-counter items like laundry enhancers.

How to Remove Mold From Colored Clothes

The vinegar procedure detailed previously in this article is one of the safest ways to remove mold from colored clothing without hurting the fabric. More than 80% of the mold in the globe is killed by vinegar! If you’ve had mildew in your bathroom or kitchen, it’s a terrific solution.

When you wash your clothes with vinegar, you remove the residue left behind by other soaps and detergents, resulting in brighter colors and softer fibers. As a result, vinegar is a win-win situation for everyone!

Vinegar, on the other hand, will not strip the color from your clothing like chlorine bleach would. Vinegar is a safe addition to the wash for the majority of clothing kinds. Everything else, including dry-clean-only clothes, should always be treated by a specialist if mold is found.

You’ll learn how to use hydrogen peroxide to eliminate mold from clothing in this article. Also included in our list of mold-killing treatments are four additional methods.

In addition, we discussed how mold grows on clothing and how it affects humans. Read all the way to the end of this article to discover about mold on clothing!

Does hydrogen peroxide kill mold?

A typical disinfectant is hydrogen peroxide, which possesses antibacterial characteristics. Hydrogen peroxide has been proven to be effective in killing bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mold spores, according to research conducted by Trusted Source.

These microbes are killed by hydrogen peroxide, which breaks down their proteins and DNATrusted Source.

Hydrogen peroxide’s ability to suppress the growth of six common home fungus was examined in a 2013 study.

In their study, researchers determined that hydrogen peroxide (together with bleach, 70-percent isopropyl alcohol, and two commercial solutions) has the ability to limit fungal development on solid surfaces but is unlikely to kill mold on porous surfaces.

Porous surfaces, such as wood, ceiling tiles, and fabrics, must be replaced when infected with mold.

On a wide range of solid surfaces, hydrogen peroxide is safe to use.

• counters
• tabletops
• glass
• walls
• in and around the shower

Where not to use hydrogen peroxide to remove mold and mildew

On permeable materials like textiles and wood, hydrogen peroxide is unlikely to suppress mold growth. A moldy bath rug, wooden wall, or any other porous surface must be properly disposed of in accordance with your local disposal regulations.

Some natural materials, such as wool, can be bleached with hydrogen peroxide.

The vast majority of synthetic materials and even solid surfaces can be cleaned safely with hydrogen peroxide. Once you’ve finished removing the mold, be sure to thoroughly rinse off the hydrogen peroxide to prevent any unintended bleaching.

How to use hydrogen peroxide to kill mold

To avoid coming into touch with mold spores while cleaning mold in your house, you should wear gloves, goggles, and a mask.

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to remove mold from solid surfaces.

1. Spray a small amount of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Make sure the moldy area is completely covered by spraying it with the product.
2. The hydrogen peroxide will stop bubbling after about 10 minutes.
3. Using a damp towel or gentle brush, remove the mold and hydrogen peroxide. Scrub softly at first to avoid hurting the surface beneath the mold, and then work up to a more aggressive level as necessary.
4. To finish, use a fresh cloth or rag to wipe the surface clean and dry.
5. If necessary, repeat.

Many common household items can be used to remove mold, including hydrogen peroxide. Another great method for removing mold from your home is to use vinegar.

However, it’s important not to mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar together.

Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar should not be mixed, though.

To be on the safe side, don’t combine hydrogen peroxide and vinegar.