How to get mold out of fabric and clothes, and when to throw them out

Step by step: how to get mold out of fabric and clothes, and when to throw them out

Safety first. Wear gloves, and for more than a few spots wear an N95 respirator and goggles. Brush mold off outdoors, not inside. Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia, vinegar or other cleaners: the fumes are toxic. People with asthma, mold allergies or weak immune systems should let someone else do this job.

1. 1

   Bag it and take it outside

   Put moldy items in a plastic bag where you find them, so you do not shake spores through the house, and carry them outdoors. Check the closet, basement or bag they came from, because the moisture problem is still there.

2. 2

   Brush off the loose mold outdoors

   With gloves on, brush the fuzzy or powdery growth off with a soft brush, working downwind. Do this outside and rinse the brush afterward. Do not brush hard on delicate fabric, since mold weakens fibers.

3. 3

   Check the care label and the damage

   Look for bleach symbols and fabric type. If the fabric is thin, rotted, or the mold has spread through padding or a lining, it is usually not worth saving. Dry-clean-only items should go to a cleaner and be described as moldy.

4. 4

   Pretreat and soak in detergent

   Rub liquid detergent into the stains, then soak the item in warm water with detergent for up to 2 hours, weighing it down with a towel so it stays under. Many light mildew spots lift at this stage.

5. 5

   Wash in the hottest water the label allows

   Wash the item on its own or with other moldy items, in the hottest water the care label lists, with a full dose of heavy-duty detergent. Do not mix moldy items with your clean laundry.

6. 6

   Bleach the remaining stain if the fabric allows

   For white cotton or other bleach-safe fabrics, soak 10 to 15 minutes in 1/4 cup chlorine bleach mixed with 3/4 cup water, then rinse and wash again. For colors, soak in oxygen bleach as the package directs. Test on a hidden spot first.

7. 7

   Dry in the sun, then decide

   Dry the item outdoors in direct sun if you can, which helps fade leftover stains. Once dry, check it closely and smell it. If dark spots or a musty smell remain after two full rounds, throw it out.

Can you wash mold out of clothes?

Yes, mold usually washes out of sturdy washable fabrics such as cotton, polyester and denim if you catch it early. Mold that has been growing for weeks often leaves a permanent stain or weakened fabric, and padded items are hard to save.

The University of Georgia Extension stain guide for mildew and mold on washable fabrics says to brush the mildew off outdoors, apply detergent and launder, and if the stain remains, soak 10 to 15 minutes in 1/4 cup chlorine bleach (if safe for the fabric) and 3/4 cup water, or treat with salt and lemon juice and dry in direct sunlight before rinsing and laundering again. It also warns to work cautiously because mildew weakens fibers.

Tide’s mildew stain method starts with scraping off the excess and rinsing under warm running water, then a two-hour soak in a detergent solution, a wash, and a pretreatment and rewash in warm water if the stain persists.

When to throw moldy clothes away

Throw it out when the mold is in padding or foam, when the fabric is falling apart, or when stains and smell survive two full cleanings.

The EPA’s mold cleanup guidance notes that absorbent or porous materials may have to be thrown away if they become moldy, because mold can fill the spaces in them and be difficult or impossible to remove completely. Clothing is easier to save than carpet or upholstery because you can wash it hot and repeat, but padded and layered pieces behave more like furniture than like a T-shirt.

How to keep mold off clothes

Mold on clothes means damp storage or damp laundry, so fix the moisture or it will be back.

• Dry wet clothes, gym bags and towels within a day. The EPA says that if damp materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours, in most cases mold will not grow.
• Keep indoor humidity below 60%, ideally 30 to 50%, as the EPA recommends. A dehumidifier in a basement closet makes a big difference.
• Never put clothes away damp, and do not store them in sealed plastic in a humid basement or garage.
• Take clothes out of the washer as soon as the cycle ends, and leave the washer door open to dry.
• If mold is on walls or ceilings near your closet as well, see how to clean black mold.

The EPA also says never to mix chlorine bleach with cleaning products that contain ammonia, because toxic fumes can form, and notes that dead mold can still cause allergic reactions, so it has to be removed and not only killed.

Mistakes to avoid

• Shaking or brushing moldy clothes indoors, which spreads spores to everything nearby.
• Washing moldy items with the rest of the laundry.
• Using chlorine bleach on colors, wool or silk.
• Mixing bleach with vinegar or ammonia-based cleaners.
• Drying the item before checking whether the stain and smell are gone.
• Putting the cleaned clothes back in the same damp closet.