Mould and mildew are common issues in households, but perhaps, you know by now that your bathroom and kitchen are not the only ones that can be affected by these. There is even much worse than that – when mould and mildew starts growing on your clothes. They are already risky when they start growing on porous surfaces and grout. However, their risk level can further increase when it affects your clothing, thereby increasing your desire to get rid of them.
Here’s what you can do.
Dry, Brush, Soak and Rinse
Remember that mould spores start growing once they land in a warm, damp and dark place. Later, these spores become black dots called mildew.
To get rid of them, you need to bring the affected clothes outside and dry them first. Dry them under the rays of the sun, which is known as a natural mould inhibitor.
Once done, start brushing away loose spores using a stiff brush. Just don’t forget to do this outside; otherwise, you will only cause new infestation. You can then soak the spots in a washing machine for half an hour using full-strength all-fabric bleach. However, for clothes that you cannot wash in the machine, just drop some bleach on the stains. Allow the bleach to sit for a few minutes, then wash the clothes using a cloth with mild suds. Lastly, rinse and wash the clothes and air-dry.
Specified Instructions and Ingredients to Remove Mould and Mildew
Ingredients
There are three recommended ingredients you may choose to use in removing mould in clothes. They are Borax, white distilled vinegar and bleach.
Borax is a natural mould-killer available in powder or detergent form. If you prefer to use the powder form, just mix it with water and follow the label’s instructions. Pour the solution in the washing machine and start laundering the clothes. Once done, you will find that your clothing is not only free from mould and mildew, but are also fresh-smelling.
Bleach is both an effective mould-killer and mildew stain eradicator. You can also use it on white clothes to avoid ruining their color. For this option, you can either use the bleach purely or have the solution diluted.
Lastly, there’s the white distilled vinegar. It is also an effective mould killer that can help keep your clothes smelling fresh. To use this, just mix a cup of the ingredient in a bucket of water. Use the solution to pre-soak your clothing for an hour. Afterwards, transfer them on the washing machine for laundering at the hottest temp. Just make sure not to mix vinegar in any bleach–containing products to avoid creating toxic gas.
The Key Actions
There are three steps you must observe when removing mould and mildew on your clothes. First, take a look at their garment care tags before proceeding with any brushing or washing. By taking this step, you not only remove these microorganisms, but also preserve the quality of your clothes.
The second key action is to either use a stiff brush or clean toothbrush when scrubbing the mould. This is important, especially if you want to pre-treat the clothes stains, but remember that the step does not end there since you still need to wash the clothes to kill the mould effectively. Also, always wash the clothes at the hottest temperature since this is your best chance to kill the mould spores.
You only need to follow all these steps to remove mildew and mould from your clothing quickly. For best results, ensure to dry the washed clothes immediately. Otherwise, you will only give these microorganisms a reason grow again. It helps to make some changes in your washing habits as well if you want to prevent the recurrence of the problem.