A stench reminiscent of a moist basement, indicating the presence of mildew, is one of the things that could ruin a freshly laundered t-shirt. It, however, does not does not attack synthetic materials such as polyester or nylon.
The presence of mildew on clothes is annoying, risky for the lungs, and, most importantly, something no parent will ever want their child to be exposed to. Do not panic, however. If you want to learn how to get rid of the mildew smell on clothes, there are more than a few methods listed below. The result will have you heaving in a sigh of relief.
1. Brush Away Mildew Spores
The initial stage of removing mildew in clothes involves scraping off the outward mildew spores. So, gather your soiled clothes in a plastic sack and proceed to your yard. The use of a plastic sack is warranted to avoid dispersing the spores to untouched locations in your home, such as the curtains or chairs.
Outdoors, use a soft-bristle brush to get rid of the black, grey, and white spores/ powder on your clothes. And please do not forget to put on a mask and goggles because those tiny spores may trigger hay fever and allergies. After brushing, wash as you normally do in a washing machine – albeit only with non-mildewed clothing to prevent contamination.
2. Vinegar
Vinegar should be on this list for sure because it is such an effective cleaner. It is used to clean several household items; hence carpets, kitchen tops, sofas, moldy fabrics and many more are cleaned with vinegar.
Please wash the clothes and ensure that you set the maximum temperature as per what you will be washing. Add 1 cup of white vinegar directly to the detergent drawer of the washing machine or dilute 1 cup of white vinegar with half a cup of water and pour this into the washer – no detergent required.
Vinegar has acetic acid that breaks the fungus spores and erases bad, damp smell from the clothes. Isn’t it simple to get rid of moldy smells from clothes?
If you want to know how to remove mildew from fabric so that it smells like absolutely nothing, wash with baking soda. Baking soda is a handy cleaning agent you should own if you don’t have it. It can remove odor from everything and anything and is ideal for what you are dealing with.
Once you have finished washing with the vinegar, fill the washing machine with water and add 1 cup of baking soda. Wash once more on the highest temperature setting. The alkalinity of the baking soda will neutralize the remaining mildew odor. Do note that for this method and the one above, you do not need to use regular detergent.
4. Borax
How can we not include everyone’s trusted laundry detergent in a list that discusses how to get rid of mildew in clothes? Apart from freshening up the laundry and cleaning stuck drains, borax can remove various pesky stains from household items, perform many other functions, and more. Another application of this laundry staple is mildew.
Dissolve one cup of borax in one liter of water and use it as either a pre-soak or a pre-treatment for clothing. Prior to washing, immerse moldy fabrics in the solution for several hours, followed by a wash with vinegar or baking soda. This will yield excellent results. However, please remember to patch-test the solution on a small hidden area of the fabric.
5. Bleach
Before we explain how to get rid of mildew on fabric with bleach, let us warn you that bleach’s harsh chemicals can fade colors and damage delicate fabrics like wool, silk, mohair, leather, or spandex. Nevertheless, bleach contains powerful mildew-killing agents that save your clothes when regular detergent is ineffective. Opt for oxygen bleach instead of chlorine bleach to reduce fabric corrosion.
Dilute the bleach with water and soak your mildewed clothes in the solution for 2 hours. Do not seal the solution and clothes as it may burst. Also, do not mix any other cleaning products with the bleach under any circumstances. After soaking, rinse the bleach and wash your clothes like you normally do.
Using basic supplies from the kitchen, such as regular salt and lemon juice, would be as expedient as anything could ever get. The lemon juice fights the mildew particles clinging to the fabric by acting as a disinfectant. Besides this, it also whitens laundry. And let’s not forget the fresh scent of lemon in case you need any more convincing!
Prepare a paste using salt and lemon juice and apply that over the mildewed surfaces. Leave the treated area as is for a while and then take a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush the area lightly. Thereafter, toss the garments in a washing machine with any detergent that is safe for use on the fabric. If the stain persists, consider trying the other techniques listed here.
7. Wash Clothes on the Highest Setting
Most of the methods mentioned above require treating the affected clothing and washing it at the highest temperature in the washing machine. Mildew cannot survive a hot, long, high-powered wash. The fungus cannot handle temperatures over 140 degrees Fahrenheit as the heat can disrupt mold growth, making it dormant or die.
Before tossing your clothes in warm water, check your garment care label to find out what the maximum wash temperature is. Hot water can shrink, fade, and wrinkle certain fabrics, so obey all instructions on your item's care label. Once your clothes are in the machine, wash them with vinegar or borax.
And remember to wash your mildewed and non-mildewed clothes separately.
8. Commercial Mildew Removers
You can use commercial products specifically made for removing mildew from fabric if you don’t like homemade solutions to tackle your mildew problem. Most of them are available in liquid and powder forms. Always read the instructions if you are using these removers as the usage guidelines may vary for different brands.
When using the powdered version, mix one scoop of powder with a liter of water. The mixture might change color, so read the instructions. Wet the mildew-affected area on your clothes, then apply the solution using a sponge. Leave the mixture on the fabric for at least 15 minutes and scrub with the sponge before rinsing with fresh water. Finally, air-dry your clothes in the sun.
This is a warning and not a solution. Some content on the web may suggest using fabric conditioners for how to clean mildew on fabric. Don’t do it! On one hand, the fabric conditioner makes clothes more comfortable by reducing the harshness of the fabric against the skin.
But on the other hand, it solves no problem with mildew infestation. These conditioners cannot eliminate the fungi because they are not designed for that. Lastly, applying fabric softener on mildewed clothing will only accumulate the softener residue and destroy its texture and feel. You should use other, more reliable methods on this list instead.
10. Enzyme Cleaner
Use an enzyme cleaner if the mildew problem is mild. The cleaner is highly effective for odor remediation and removing mold from clothes. They are gentler than bleach and lemon juice and will not cause color loss, making them safe to use on any washable fabric. However, you will only be masking the mildew with this method. You might need to try one of the methods above to kill the spores on your clothes.
For best results, use the cleaner as a pre-soak. Dilute the enzyme cleaner according to the instructions on the package. Then, soak your clothes in the solution according to the recommended time. After soaking, drain the solution and launder the items as usual.
A surprising tip on how to get rid of mildew on clothes is vodka. Vodka, as it turns out, is excellent at removing odors. Its high alcohol content disinfects and kills bacteria that cause odor. A plus point is that despite its potent smell, it dried odorless. If you want, you can spray the alcohol on the affected areas on your clothes and let them dry.
Or you can soak your mildewed clothes in the alcohol for 15 minutes after conducting a patch test to ensure discoloration does not happen. You can also add a few drops of essential oil for added scent and to get rid of the musty smell.
How To Prevent Mildew In Clothes
Do Not Forget Your Wet Clothes
If you always forget your wet gym clothes or swimming costumes in the gym bag or beach bag, stop! A low level of light combined with high humidity is among the prominent causes of mildew growth. Therefore, damp and unwashed clothing will mean that moisture, bacteria, and sweat mix to create the best environment for fungus to grow.
This doesn’t mean laundering the clothes every time you are home is mandatory. Make a few simple adjustments, such as putting a reminder on your phone, doing a quick drying of the wet clothing items before wash time, or using a mesh bag so that even if you forget them, the wet clothes can still dry.
Even if you store dry laundry in your basket, your clothes will not be safe from mildew. You have to launder them on time. The sweat, dirt, bacteria, and grease on your dirty clothes will damage the fibers. Delaying will also make it harder to remove the stains and smell on your clothes.
Do not confuse doing your laundry on time with washing your clothes often. This is not true. Certain clothing items like jeans require less wash while some require more, like your undergarments. The more you wear clothes likely to contain sweat and dirt, the more you have to wash them.
Air Dry Laundry In the Hot Sun
A dryer may help you dry your clothes, but the best practice would be to air dry them under the hot sun. Exposing clothes to sunlight and fresh air eliminates dirt and bad smells, and a light wind fluffs up fabric fibers so that the clothes are soft and clean. You can also save on your electricity bill if you avoid using a laundry dryer.
Domestic laundry or clothes dryers are highly energy-consuming electrical appliances and account for 6% of domestic electricity consumption. Household experts assert that forgoing the laundry dryer helps save an average of one hundred dollars every year in the household. This amount may appear small, but it will add up over the years.
Before you put away your laundry, ensure there are no damp spots. Your clothes should be dry all the way through to allow the sun’s UV radiation to kill any annoying germs present on your clothes. This killing will help prevent musty-smelling mold and mildew from growing in areas with poor air circulation, such as wardrobes and drawers where you store your clothes.
Check the waistbands, pockets, and collars of your clothes when confirming the dryness. These areas usually dry the slowest. Also, DON’T dry brights and darks in the sun directly. Direct sunlight breaks down dyes in fabrics and leads to fading. When drying bright or dark items outside, turn them inside out and ensure your clothesline is in the shade.
Add Moth Balls in Your Drawers and Closets
Naphthalene balls, or mothballs, are white, crystalline solids at room temperature, characterized by a strong pungent odor generally found in cupboards and storage areas. These balls have a unique form that releases a vapor, irritating moths, insects, and other organisms that damage fabrics in your closet.
These balls also have excellent deodorizing properties that eliminate musty smells in closets and storage spaces. Using the mothballs in these areas can keep your clothes fresh and odor-free. However, handling them with care and avoiding direct contact or ingestion is essential. They should also be kept away from children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion.
Store Your Clothes With Silica Gel Pack
You might think folding your clothes neatly inside drawers and wardrobes guarantees proper storage. Unfortunately, the wood and the materials with which the drawers and wardrobes are made cannot protect your clothes from the humidity of the surrounding environments.
This is why silica gel will be your precious ally to avoid nasty surprises and ensure your garments are in perfect condition, just as you left them. The tiny pouches you often find inside a new box of sneakers protect your clothes from mold stains or mildew odor, which are difficult to eliminate. So, place two or three packets of silica gel in every drawer or different parts of your wardrobe.
One of the best methods of keeping mildew at bay and removing mold around the house is by eliminating excess moisture. Just how well is your house ventilated? Water vapor is usually brought into the air through various activities such as cooking and showering, but most of it should evaporate with good ventilation.
Keep the windows open during warm and dry conditions to improve the ventilation of your house. Try using fans to keep the air circulating. Open the doors of closets and wardrobes and think about purchasing a dehumidifier if there is no good air circulation in the rooms.
Throw Away Your Mildewed Clothes Without Hesitation
We get it. You don’t want to bid farewell to your favorite blouse or lucky pair of athletic shorts. But think about the mildew; it is harming you. You will suffer from a cough, headache, sore throat, and other respiratory problems from mildew exposure, and these are just mild symptoms.
Your symptoms might be dire if you have pre-existing conditions like asthma. Therefore, if washing your clothes or caring for them does not work or stop the mildew growth, just dispose of them.
