We don’t like mold and mildew, that’s why we push for you to waterproof your home, inspect for mold, and repair aging or damaged appliances and piping. But even with all the proper safety measures in place, mold can still find its way into your home (yes, it is that determined). One place we haven’t written about yet, but is a commonly forgotten mold trap, is your laundry pile. So what is it that turns laundry from “need to do” to “need to replace?”
Sweat, Food, and Water
While we recommend doing laundry regularly and not letting it sit around, storing any clothing that is wet, has food (or sticky, sugary drinks spilled on them), or is sweat soaked from a workout in a hamper for too long is a sure road to pulling out moldy clothes when you do get around to doing laundry.
For wet laundry, regardless of how the clothing was soaked or dripped on, rinse it with hot water, wring it out, and hang it up to dry before throwing it in the hamper. Heavier items such as rugs, comforters, or blankets should be washed and dried immediately.
If you’ve been working out, clothing that’s damp due to sweat shouldn’t be tossed into the hamper and left. Wash out sweaty fabrics within a week or face the wrath of a moldy hamper.
Food is probably the worst source. From cleaning up spills to simply having dribbled mustard on your shirt, food is a breeding ground for mold. If you own a washer and dryer, go ahead and do the laundry, otherwise, rinse out the clothing and let it dry before adding it to the laundry hamper.
You may be wondering why we recommend rinsing and drying clothes that will just end up in the wash anyway. It’s a matter of timelines. You may be planning to head to the laundromat this weekend or to do the laundry tomorrow, but what if something comes up? There’s always a chance that your cleanup gets pushed to later in the week or to next week entirely and that extra time is all that a few mold spores need to get started eating away at your clothes.
Washing Laundry
Follow standard practices for washing clothes. Separate whites and colors, use detergent that matches the load, and use the right temperature setting to protect your clothes from damage while still killing off bacteria and mold spores. But part of preventing mold is making sure that you continue to prevent it even after finishing up the wash. Don’t end the dry cycle too quickly, wait until it finishes. Don’t remove them before they’re dry. If you do, don’t fold damp items up and put them away. If you’re in a time-crunch that demands you stop the dryer, take those clothes out and hang them up to dry!
Don’t forget to follow RestoPros on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+ for new Updates, News, and Discounts