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There are quite a few solutions you can wash moldy clothes in to get rid of the mold. Some good ones include:
•Bleach
•Borax
•Vinegar
•Baking soda
•Mold killing detergent
Tips for Removing Mold from Clothes
There are a few general tips when it comes to removing mold from clothes. One is that it’s best to wash your clothes in hot water. Hot water kills mold more effectively than cold water and better removes mold spores and allergens too. Of course make sure you don’t use water so hot that it can damage your clothing.
When you’re washing your clothes with a mold killing solution it’s best to wash them through at least two full cycles. Then after your clothes have been washed hang them on the line in the sun. The heat from the sun and the sun’s ultraviolet light help to kill mold. The sun has a natural bleaching effect that can also help to fade mold stains.
How to Remove Mold from Clothes with Bleach
Washing clothes in a solution of bleach and water can kill mold. Bleach can also fade away stains left on clothes by mold.
Before you use bleach make sure to check your clothes for any “do not bleach” warnings. You might also want to do a spot test on your clothes after you’ve mixed the bleach and water solution just to make sure they won’t fade.
Another option, instead of mixing your own bleach and water solution, is to wash your clothes with a bleaching detergent such as Clorox or Oxiclean.
How to wash your clothes with bleach:
•Start by putting your clothes into the washing machine and adding laundry detergent.
•Once the washing machine has filled up with water add about a cup of bleach (or whatever amount the label on the bleach says to use).
•Let your washing machine run like normal.
•If you notice the colors fading at any stage remove your clothes and rinse them well.
Alternatively you can soak your clothes in bleach:
•Use a concentration of about half a cup of bleach per gallon of water, or whatever ratio it says on the bleach’s label.
•Let the clothes soak in the solution for a few hours, making sure the colors do not fade.
•After soaking the clothes wash them in your washing machine with laundry detergent like you usually would.
How to Remove Mold from Clothes with Borax
Borax is a natural mold killer which does not emit toxic fumes. To kill mold on clothes with borax you can either purchase borax laundry detergent or add borax powder yourself to your washing. Mix the borax with hot water before adding it to your washing to make sure it is completely dissolved.
How to wash clothes using borax:
•Add your clothes to the washing machine along with laundry detergent.
•Dissolve half a cup of borax in very hot water.
•Once the washing machine has filled up add the borax that you dissolved in hot water.
•Let the washing machine run through like normal.
How to Remove Mold from Clothes with Vinegar
Vinegar kills 82% of mold species and can usually kill the mold growing on clothes. Vinegar will also remove the moldy smell from the clothes.
How to wash your clothes with vinegar:
•To kill mold on your clothes using vinegar, put your clothes in the washing machine along with detergent and let the machine fill with water.
•Then add about a cup or two of vinegar to your washing.
•Let the washing machine run through its cycle as normal.
Alternatively, soak clothes in vinegar:
•Let your clothes soak in a solution of one cup of white vinegar in a bucket of water for about an hour.
•After soaking, wash the clothes with laundry detergent in your washing machine to wash away the mold and vinegar.
•You might need to repeat the process to remove all the traces of mold and any moldy smell from your clothes.