How to Remove Mold From Clothing Safely

Finding mold on your clothes can be alarming. Mold grows quickly in damp environments and can damage fabrics as well as pose potential health risks. When mold contamination occurs, it’s essential to remove it completely and safely. Fortunately, there are several effective methods for removing mold from clothing.

Understanding Mold Growth

Mold is a type of fungus that spreads through tiny spores. It thrives in warm, moist environments. Mold spores are always floating around us in the air. When spores land on damp spots on fabrics, they can start growing mold colonies.

Clothing left wet or damp for over 24-48 hours provides ideal conditions for mold. Areas like collars, underarms, pockets, and hems tend to collect moisture and allow mold to grow. Mold often appears as fuzzy or stringy growth in green, black, yellow, or white hues.

Mold releases allergens and irritants as it grows, so it’s crucial to remove it promptly from garments. The longer you leave mold in place, the more damage it can cause to the fabric fibers as well as your health.

Dangers of Mold on Clothing

Moldy clothing not only looks and smells unpleasant but also poses certain health and safety risks:

Allergic reactions – Mold spores can trigger asthma attacks, runny nose, itchy eyes, rashes, and other allergic responses when inhaled or touched.
Respiratory issues – Mold may lead to wheezing, breathlessness, coughing, and other respiratory problems when you breathe in the spores. People with chronic lung diseases are most vulnerable.
Fabric damage – Mold feeds on natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk, and wool. Over time, it can weaken and discolor fabrics, creating holes and stains.
Toxic mold syndrome – Exposure to toxic molds like black mold may cause flu-like symptoms, chronic fatigue, nausea, and headaches.
Spread of contamination – Mold from a single clothing item can release spores that spread to other fabrics and surfaces in your home.

So it’s clear why clothing mold needs to be dealt with promptly and thoroughly. The longer you wait, the more spores will multiply and the damage will worsen.

How to Remove Mold from Clothing

Tackling mold on clothes requires killing mold spores and removing the residues. No single method works for every type of fabric and level of contamination. Here are the most effective techniques to try:

Laundry Detergent

For fabrics that can handle regular washing, laundry detergent is often the first line of defense. Check the garment care label first before machine washing.

Add an extra dose of liquid laundry detergent along with the normal amount into the washing machine. Detergents contain surfactants that help destroy mold and mildew.
Powder detergents with bleaching agents are even more effective at killing mold spores and removing stains.
Wash the moldy item separately or with other old laundry on the hot water setting specified for that fabric type. This prevents cross-contamination.
If needed, pre-treat any remaining stained areas with detergent paste before washing. Let it sit briefly before laundering.
Dry thoroughly on the highest heat setting recommended for the fabric to prevent mold recurrence.

White Vinegar

White vinegar is a natural anti-fungal that kills mold and helps eliminate odors. It’s safe for most washable fabrics.

Fill your washer with hot water at the appropriate temperature. Add 1-2 cups of distilled white vinegar along with detergent.
For spot treatment, spritz vinegar directly onto moldy spots and allow it to soak in for 15-20 minutes before washing. The acetic acid in vinegar removes mold stains and residue.
You can also add 1/2 cup vinegar along with detergent to a bucket of warm water. Soak garments overnight before washing.
Run fabrics through an extra rinse cycle after washing to eliminate vinegar smell. Then dry thoroughly at a hot temperature.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another powerful option for removing mold without harmful chemicals. Use 3% solutions from the drugstore, not higher concentrations.

In the washing machine, add 1 cup hydrogen peroxide to the detergent dispenser along with regular detergent. Wash in hot water suitable for the fabric.
Make a paste with baking soda and peroxide and rub it into stained areas. Let sit briefly before washing. The peroxide bubbles up and lifts mold off the surface.
As a pre-soak, dilute one part hydrogen peroxide with five parts water. Soak clothing overnight before washing.
Run garments through an extra rinse cycle and dry thoroughly on high heat. Hydrogen peroxide may bleach some fabrics, so spot test first.

Borax

Borax is a natural mineral salt that destroys mold without damaging fabrics. It has strong antifungal abilities.

Add 1/2 cup borax along with your usual laundry detergent into the wash cycle with hot water. It helps remove mold stains and residue from fabrics.
Make a borax paste by mixing equal parts borax powder and water. Rub it into stained areas and allow 15-20 minutes contact time before washing. The borax breaks down mold membranes.
For a pre-soak option, dissolve 1/2 cup borax in a bucket of warm water. Place moldy clothing in the solution overnight. Then wash as normal.
Take care using borax on delicate fabrics like silks and avoid direct contact with skin as it can be irritating. Rinse well and dry completely.

Baking Soda

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a natural fungicide you probably already have in your pantry. It destroys mold without harsh chemicals.

Add 1/2 cup baking soda along with detergent to your regular laundry cycle. Use hot water suitable for the fabric. The baking soda dissolves mold.
Make a paste with equal parts baking soda and water. Apply it to stained areas, allowing 15-20 minutes dwell time before washing. Baking soda is non-abrasive for fabrics.
You can also make a soak solution of 1-2 cups baking soda dissolved in a bucket of warm water. Place clothing in overnight before washing.
When drying fabrics treated with baking soda, use the highest heat setting appropriate for those items to kill any remaining spores.

Tea Tree Oil

Due to its strong antifungal properties, tea tree oil can destroy mold on fabrics when used properly. Purchase 100% tea tree essential oil.

Add 10-15 drops tea tree oil along with detergent to a load of laundry. Wash in hot water suitable for those fabrics. The oil kills mold and mildew spores.
Make a spray solution with 2 teaspoons oil mixed with 2 cups water. Mist directly onto moldy spots and allow it to penetrate for 20 minutes before washing. The tea tree oil removes mold and odor.
Do a test first to ensure the oil won’t stain delicate fabrics. Tea tree oil can be used along with other remedies like vinegar and baking soda for enhanced results.
Take care not to ingest tea tree oil as it is toxic when swallowed. Avoid eye contact. Air dry treated items outside as the smell is strong.

Sunlight

When possible, hang moldy garments in direct sunlight to kill mold spores before washing. The UV rays in sunlight act as a natural disinfectant.

Hang clothing over a clothesline or drying rack in an area that gets at least 1-2 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Make sure both front and back of items are fully exposed. Turn clothing inside out to expose inner layers too.
For delicate fabrics, lay them flat on a surface in sunlight rather than hanging up. Weigh down with rocks or bricks.
The sun also helps bleach out any mold stains on fabrics. However, sunlight can fade dyes so avoid extended exposure.

Preventing Mold Growth

Once you’ve removed mold from clothing, it’s equally important to prevent a repeat occurrence. Follow these proactive laundry habits:

Allow wet laundry to fully dry within 24-48 hours before storage to deter mold growth. Don’t overload machines.
Wash and dry fabrics on the warmest suitable settings to kill any lingering spores. High heat dries fastest.
Clean the washing machine monthly – especially the rubber gaskets – with bleach or other antimicrobial cleaners to remove residual spores.
Check window seals, plumbing, and appliances to reduce dampness and humidity in laundry areas. Good ventilation discourages mold.
When storing garments long-term, use breathable containers and add cedar blocks or sachets as natural moth and mildew preventatives.
For musty clothes or basements prone to dampness, use a dehumidifier regularly to maintain humidity below 50%.

With some diligence and proper laundry habits, you can keep mold from recurring and protect clothing investments as well as health.

Common Questions About Removing Mold from Clothing

Removing mold contamination from fabrics can seem daunting but is quite possible with some practical tips. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Can washing machines remove mold from clothes?

Yes, washing machines effectively remove mold from clothing and other machine-washable fabrics when used properly. Always check garment care labels first. Use the hottest water temperature appropriate for those items along with added mold-killing ingredients in the wash cycle such as vinegar, borax, or tea tree oil. Thoroughly dry items immediately at a high heat setting as well.

Does bleach remove mold from clothes?

Bleach can kill mold spores and remove stains but may damage fabrics over time. On whites, it is effective directly applied to moldy spots. For colors, chlorine bleach is risky, but oxygen bleach added to the wash cycle can be used. Bleach fumes can also irritate lungs. Safer anti-mold options include vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and borax.

Can sunlight remove mold from clothing?

Sunlight’s UV rays have natural disinfecting powers against mold. Hanging fabrics in direct sun for 1-2 hours before washing can help kill mold spores. However, take care with delicate fabrics as sunlight also fades dyes. Extended sunlight does not fully clean moldy items which still need washing. But it offers an extra mold-fighting boost.

How do you dry clean moldy clothes?

Most dry cleaners can effectively remove mold from unwashed clothing and other “dry clean only” items using specialized equipment and cleaning solvents. Point out any moldy areas so they can be pre-treated. However, extensive mold damage may be difficult or impossible to remove through dry cleaning. Avoid wearing or storing moldy clothes in proximity to other garments before dry cleaning.

Can you save clothes with mold damage?

If the mold contamination is relatively minor and recent, clothes can likely be saved by prompt cleaning using anti-mold products. However, if fabrics display extensive staining, holes, or other deterioration from long-term neglected mold growth, they may be too damaged for rescue. It depends on the type and degree of mold damage. Valuable or sentimental items with moderate damage could be worth salvaging via professional mold removal services.

Conclusion

Mold needs moisture to proliferate, so keeping fabrics clean, dry, and well-ventilated is key to preventing outbreaks. If you do notice mold on clothing, take quick action using natural methods like vinegar, tea tree oil, or hydrogen peroxide for safe removal. Consistently washing and drying laundry at hot temperatures also kills mold spores. With vigilance and proper laundry habits, mold doesn’t stand a chance on your favorite wardrobe pieces.