If you see black spots on your clothes, they're probably not just dirt. You may be dealing with mold. To get rid of them, follow these steps.
Your favorite sweater has gotten wet from rain or spilled water. It smells musty and looks dirty. Should you throw it away or try to save it? If you're unsure whether to keep or toss the sweater, here are some tips on getting rid of molds on clothing.
Molds thrive in a dark, humid environment, like a wet, musty room, a damp laundry hamper, or a moist basement. If clothing gets too close to these environments, microscopic molds can start growing on them. These tiny molds can cause health issues, so knowing how to clean out your closets and washrooms is essential.
This article explains how to get rid of mold from clothing.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Molds thrive in moist, dark areas. To keep them from spreading, avoid letting moisture collect in these areas. You can prevent further spread by keeping laundry away from humid areas in your house.
Always follow the washing instructions on the labels of clothes and linens. If they say "wash separately" or "do not tumble dry," don't use a dryer.
Try to tackle this task during a sunny time of year, as UV light helps kill off any mold spores that may be present.
Step one: Pre-treat your clothes and wash them in a well-ventilatÂed room.
Once you've discovered mold on your clothing, check around the area to ensure no one else has been exposed. Then take all the moldy items back to where you found them, and place them in an airtight container. Keep the container closed until you can get it to a lab for testing. If the clothes are not yet dry, put them in the sun to kill the mold. If this is not possible, bring the moldy clothes into a well-vented room and close all doors and windows. Place the contaminated items in plastic bags and seal them tightly. Take the sealed bags to a lab immediately to test the samples.
Mix equal parts of Borax and white wine (vinegar) to create a solution. Allow clothes to soak in the mixture overnight. Rinse out the following day and then wash them thoroughly. Use a soft cloth to remove the stain. Put on protective gear before handling any potentially hazardous materials.
Put the moldy clothes into the washer with Borax or vinegar (or both).
Next, you need to figure out which method works best for you. Either wash your clothes in Borax or white vinegar or add baking soda to the mix. To help eliminate any odor from the clothes, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda per gallon of water.
If you are using
Vinegar has natural antifungal properties and can help eliminate unpleasant smells from clothes. Add vinegar to the washing cycle to clean clothes, and use an odor neutralizer to eliminate any remaining odors.
STEP 3: Dry your clothes completely, ideally in full sun.
Dry your clothes outside in the sun if possible. Sunlight helps eliminate any lingering mold and mildews.
If it's cloudy outside or the weather is cool, use the drier setting that works best for your fabric, remembering that warm temperatures kill off mold better than cold ones. Dry the laundry completely, as any dampness on the garments could cause them to grow new mold.
Step 4: Check clothes for mold, and do an odor test to ensure they're clean.
Make sure your clothes look clean by checking them for any signs of mildew. Presoak your clothes longer and use a cleaner/soap combination than usual. Mildew often persists through the first few steps, so repeat the steps if necessary.
If you can't detect any odor when you open the package, take a whiff of the garment. If the scent isn't too strong or smells fresh, proceed to step two. Otherwise, follow these instructions to remove the mildew from the clothes.
STEP 5: Place your clothes where they're clean, dry, and ventilated.
Please don't leave your clothes in the dryers or laundry baskets after cleaning them; once you're sure their surfaces are free from dirt and bacteria, fold them and store them properly. Dry areas with good airflow are ideal for storing clean clothes.
Mold can grow on damp items left in moist areas for extended periods, so if you see mold growing on an item of clothing, put it away immediately and wash it thoroughly. To get rid of mold, use disinfectant to clean the thing.
If there are any other places where mold could be growing, address them, so they don't contaminate your clothes.
If there's one thing you need to do right now, it's to get rid of any damp or moist items from your laundry. You don't want to encourage mold to grow and spread.
Mold is a fungus that grows on moist surfaces. When a water source comes into contact with a surface containing mold spores, the spores land on the surface and begins germinating (rising). Once they do so, they start increasing until they cover the entire surface. They then produce tiny black dots called conidia. These conidia float through the surrounding environment and eventually find another character where they can grow again. In this manner, the mold reproduces itself.
Final Thoughts
These six steps for removing molds in your home can help you remove them safely from your belongings, allowing you to continue wearing those items. Keeping dry things away from wet areas helps reduce mold growth. If you find molds on your possessions, treat them right away with these helpful tips.
