Tag: Mold in Clothing

Washing Mold From Clothing

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The humid Dallas summer guarantees that most people who to leave their home during the day will return with damp clothing. Just a few minutes in a hot car can drench someone in sweat during a hot afternoon. This can lead to problems for people who leave clothing in a stuffed hamper for several days. Any fabric that is left wet or damp for more than 24 hours can easily develop mold growth. The humid Texas air can also exacerbate a mold problem in clothes, especially if your home has a humidity level over 50 percent. Last week we shared tips on getting rid of mold odor in clothing and accessories. This week we’re looking at tackling mold itself, which is even trickier to get off fabric once it has started to grow. Mold can destroy clothing, so the sooner that you act on getting rid of it the better.

Washing out the Mold

If you find mold in your clothing, don’t wait to treat it! Basic cotton t-shirts, shirts, pants, socks and underwear are the easiest to tackle. First, wear plastic gloves and remove the clothing from the home. Take a sponge or old wash cloth and remove as much of the mold growth off the material as you can. Bring the clothes back inside and separate the lights and darks as you normally would for a regular wash. Bleach is one of the oldest remedies for mold removal – and works well on certain items (including cotton clothing). Do a load of laundry using hot water and your regular detergent. Once the washing machine has filled up with water, then add a cup of bleach. Color-safe bleach is also an option, though it might not work as well in certain instances. Whenever you are washing mold out of clothing, it is most effective to wash them through two complete cycles.

Bleach does not work for all materials – and can stain or fade certain pieces. A popular alternative for fighting mold is white distilled vinegar. (Vinegar can kill 82% of mold species.) It is especially effective in treating cotton blends, linen and polyester. Pouring a cup of vinegar into the wash will help rid most clothing of mold. But be mindful of the care directions for bright clothing and “hand wash only” pieces. Other ingredients used for getting rid of mold are borax, lemon juice – or a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Make sure run the clothes through two full cycles. Again, these remedies are most effective in the early stages of mold infestation. If the mold has started breaking down the fabric and eating through it, it’s best to throw the piece away.

After you have washed your clothes, you will want to dry them immediately. The ideal drying method would be hanging the clothing outside on a clothesline. The sunlight is ideal for treating and eradicating mold as well.

Dry Clean Only

Most people own a few pieces of clothing that are “dry clean only.” If you own garments that are contaminated by mold and can’t be washed at home – send them out immediately. The heat used in the dry cleaning process is an effective way to rid fabric of mold as well. If you have other pieces of contaminated clothing that proved difficult to clean, you might consider sending them to the dry cleaners. This is the most expensive solution, but necessary for some materials – especially for silk and complicated blends.

Summer Mold Strategy

It’s not always possible to wash your damp clothing immediately. In the heat of the summer especially, your clothes are going to experience some kind of sweat-related dampness. The best way to combat mold growth is to line dry any clothing that gets damp before throwing it into the hamper. Even laying clothing out overnight and letting it air dry will help keep mold from appearing on material. The key here is to be proactive, which is sometimes difficult after coming home from the sweltering heat. Always dry damp clothing that is destined for the clothes hamper and avoid destructive mold growth.

Dangers of Mold

Sometimes mold can start growing on clothing without any obvious signs. An undetectable mold spore outbreak is just as hazardous as one that is visible. Breathing in spores can cause allergic reactions including sinus problems, runny eyes and skin rashes. Mold in your clothing can also contaminate the air; affecting the indoor air quality and even spurring growth in other areas of the home. Be mindful of the summer heat and the state of your clothing once you come home. By taking a few precautions with sweaty materials, you should be able to successfully bypass mold contamination.

RestoPros is the DFW leader in mold damage restoration and remediation. If you have any problems with mold in your home, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our trained and licensed technicians can assess your problem and offer safe, effective solutions for recovery. Call 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment today!

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Healthy Humidity Levels in the Summer

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Removing Mold Odor with Sunlight

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There are several ways that mold can wreak havoc on your home. Sometimes the problems aren’t as invasive as an outbreak inside your walls or ceiling. Sometimes the problems are more of a nuisance, requiring more of a DIY approach to the solution. If you live in an older home that has a musty smell, you may have encountered a problem with clothing or items made with fabric that start to smell of mold. This can happen in any residence; a new apartment or home as well as an older structure.

Items that are stored for a long time in a confined space can sometimes generate a moldy, musty smell that is extremely difficult to remove. Sometimes these are items (such as leather goods, baseball caps, sweaters and jackets) that are not feasible to put in the washing machine. Bath towels and washcloths can also develop a “mold creep” that sets in the fabric and isn’t noticeable until wet. This problem is even harder to deal with when using the regular methods of cleaning.

One of the easiest, greenest and most effective ways to completely remove that smell from clothing, towels and other items is to harness the power of sunlight. Hanging them on a clothesline (fixed or makeshift) throughout a dry, sunny day can work miracles This can sometimes be a tricky endeavor in the Dallas summer when the air is high in humidity. A hot, humid day might even exacerbate the mold growth – and odor. Make sure to check the weather forecast before you hang out any items for the day.

Try this method with fabric and leather items that have a distinctive odor. For pieces that have mold growing on them, you might simply consider getting rid of them.

  1. Choose a day with a forecast of sunny and dry (both elements are essential in this equation). Then start early in the morning to ensure you have the full day.
  2. Use gloves and, depending on the amount of items and the level of mold, a face mask to gather all of the items and take them outside. Using a clean, dry cloth, wipe the items off thoroughly.
  3. If you are also attempting to get rid of that mold smell on bath towels, they will need to be washed first on a warm cycle.
  4. Hang the items carefully on a clothesline – making sure that it is located in an area that will receive maximum sunlight all day. There should be sufficient room between each item to allow a breeze to effectively help dry out the fabric.
  5. Hang large bath towels lengthwise on the line.
  6. At the end of the day, smell the items to see if there are any lingering odors. Unless the mold contamination was extreme, the smell should have disappeared.
  7. If you can still smell mold, hang the items on a line again the following morning.
  8. Make a 1:1 mixture of water and white vinegar and gently spray everything before leaving them out again in the sun.
  9. Your clothing and towels should smell great at the end of the day.

Note:  Some pieces of clothing, including brightly colored fabrics, might fade in the direct sunlight. Be mindful of care instructions for each piece. Some might need to be professionally cleaned.

RestoPros is dedicated to keeping mold out of your home – and your life. From mold testing to remediation, our trained and licensed technicians can help eradicate its presence. If you ever find yourself dealing with more than mold odor in your clothing, contact our team! Call 855-587-3786 to schedule an assessment today!

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5 Natural Cleaning Method for Small Mold Spots

How to Freshen Air After Mold