How to Get Mold out of Clothes: 5 Easy Methods

But don’t toss your wardrobe just yet. While mold spores are stubborn, they are not invincible. You can salvage your clothes and banish the smell with the right tools, most of which are likely already in your pantry. Here is how to get mold out of clothes effectively.

Recognizing the Signs of Mold

A strong, earthy odor is usually the first red flag. However, your nose isn’t the only detective you need. Look for these visual and physical signs that spores have moved in:

• discoloration: Mold often appears as black or green fuzzy spots. Mildew, a specific type of mold, usually manifests as a flat, powdery white or gray substance.
• Strange colors: Depending on the nutrient source and region, you might see orange, pink, or red staining ⁽¹⁾.
• Allergic reactions: If you start sneezing, get watery eyes, or feel congested when wearing a specific item, it may harbor spores ⁽²⁾.
• Skin irritation: Direct contact with moldy fabric can cause rashes or itching.

Why Remove Mold From Clothes?

The moldy odor is nasty, but the problem goes deeper than just a bad smell. Ignoring it allows the infestation to spread to other clothes and your home.

1. Avoid Health Complications

Everyone reacts to mold differently. While some might be fine, others can suffer from severe asthma attacks, sinus congestion, and respiratory issues ⁽³⁾.

Children are particularly vulnerable. Studies indicate that early exposure to fungi increases the risk of developing asthma by age seven ⁽⁴⁾.

2. Prevent the Spread

Mold spores are microscopic travelers. They float through the air and settle on other surfaces. Your moldy shirt isn’t just a laundry problem; it is a gateway for an infestation in your closet, carpets, or walls.

Spores are resilient. They can hibernate during dry weather and reactivate within 24 to 48 hours once humidity returns ⁽⁵⁾.

3. Protect Your Fabric

Fungi eat organic matter. Over time, mold decomposes the natural fibers in cotton, wool, and linen. If left untreated, the fabric weakens, holes appear, and the garment eventually rots.

How To Get Mold Out of Clothes

Before you start, safety is key. If the infestation is heavy, wear gloves and a mask to avoid inhaling spores.

1. Washing Techniques

The method you choose depends on the fabric type and the severity of the mold.

Machine-Wash

For standard fabrics, the washing machine is your best weapon. Heat is the enemy of mold; most species die when exposed to water above 140 degrees Fahrenheit ⁽⁶⁾.

1. Isolate the load: Never wash moldy clothes with clean ones. Spores will transfer.
2. Crank the heat: Select the hottest water setting the fabric care label allows. Cold water will not kill the fungus ⁽⁷⁾.
3. Add your fighter: Use your regular laundry detergent.
4. Boost the wash: Add a mold-killing agent like vinegar, Borax, or bleach (for whites) directly to the drum or dispenser.
5. Double cycle: Run the machine for two full cycles to ensure all spores are flushed out.
6. Sun dry: UV rays are a natural disinfectant ⁽⁸⁾. Hang wet clothes in direct sunlight. If that is not possible, use the dryer on high heat immediately.

Hand-Wash

For delicates or single items, use a bucket or sink.

1. Prep the bath: Fill a bucket with hot water and detergent.
2. Add treatment: Mix in a mold remover (vinegar, Borax, or commercial sanitizer).
3. Soak: Submerge the item and let it sit for at least 20 to 60 minutes.
4. Rinse and dry: Rinse thoroughly and hang in the sun.

Dry Cleaning

If your label says “Dry Clean Only,” do not submerge it. Brush off visible surface mold outdoors, seal the item in a plastic bag, and take it to a professional. Explicitly tell the cleaner about the mold so they can treat it safely.

2. Natural Helpers

You don’t always need harsh chemicals. These pantry staples pack a punch against fungi.

Borax

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral that acts as a fungicide and odor eliminator. When mixed with water, it creates a solution that inhibits mold growth ⁽⁹⁾.

1. Dissolve: Mix half a cup of Borax with hot water in a bowl until fully dissolved.
2. Add to wash: Pour the solution into your washing machine or soaking bucket.
3. Soak: Let the clothes soak for at least 20 minutes before finishing the cycle.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

White vinegar is a mild acid that kills about 82% of mold species ⁽¹⁰⁾. Baking soda absorbs moisture and neutralizes odors. Together, they are a dream team.

• Wash with vinegar: Add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the washer. Run a hot cycle without detergent.
• Wash with soda: Run a second cycle with half a cup of baking soda (and detergent, if desired).

Tea Tree Oil

This essential oil is a potent antifungal ⁽¹¹⁾. It is pricier than vinegar but very effective for spot treating. Ensure you buy pure tea tree oil without synthetic additives.

1. Mix: Combine one teaspoon of tea tree oil with one cup of water in a spray bottle.
2. Apply: Spray the affected areas liberally.
3. Wait: Let it sit for 10 minutes.
4. Wash: Throw the item in the washer on hot.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an antifungal and antiviral agent ⁽¹²⁾. It acts like a mild bleach, brightening whites while killing mold. Use 3% concentration and spot test colored fabrics first to ensure they don’t fade.

3. Commercial Helpers

For heavy infestations, you may need stronger chemical solutions.

Brush and Detergent

Do this outside to prevent spores from landing on your carpet.

1. Scrub: Use a soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush to physically remove visible mold.
2. Treat: Spray a commercial stain remover or heavy-duty liquid detergent directly on the spots.
3. Wait: Let it penetrate the fibers for 30 minutes.
4. Wash: Laundering in hot water completes the process.

Chlorine Bleach

Bleach is the nuclear option. It kills everything, including allergens ⁽¹³⁾. However, it is harsh on fabrics and only works on non-porous surfaces efficiently.

• Machine: Add one cup of bleach to the bleach dispenser.
• Hand soak: Dilute half a cup of bleach in a gallon of water. Soak for 30 minutes, then rinse well.

How to Prevent Mold on Clothes

Stopping mold before it starts is easier than scrubbing it out later.

1. Dry Immediately

Bacteria and fungi love wet piles of laundry. Transfer clothes from the washer to the dryer or clothesline immediately. If you have sweaty gym clothes or wet swimsuits, hang them up to air dry before tossing them in the hamper.

2. Control Your Humidity

Mold thrives when relative humidity exceeds 60 percent ⁽¹⁴⁾.

• Ventilate: Open windows and use exhaust fans in bathrooms and laundry rooms.
• Dehumidify: Run a dehumidifier in damp areas like basements or closets.
• Space out: Don’t jam-pack your closet. Leave space between hangers so air can circulate around the fabrics.

3. Maintain Your Machines

Your washing machine can actually become a source of mold. Leave the door open after loads to let the drum dry. Clean the rubber gasket regularly and replace HVAC filters to keep airborne spores to a minimum.

FAQs

Are Moldy Clothes Ruined?

Moldy clothes are not necessarily ruined, but they can be if the fungus eats through the fabric fibers. If you catch it early, most clothes can be saved using hot water, vinegar, or borax.

What Does Mildew Look Like on Clothes?

Mildew typically looks like a flat, powdery growth that is white, gray, or yellow. Unlike deep mold, which can be fuzzy and slimy, mildew usually sits on the surface of the fabric.

Will Putting Clothes In the Dryer Kill Mold?

Putting clothes in the dryer alone is rarely enough. While high heat helps, it often bakes the stains into the fabric. You must wash the clothes with a mold-killing agent first, then dry them.

Does Oxiclean Get Mold Out of Clothes?

Yes, OxiClean can help remove mold. The oxygen-based formula helps lift stains and kill spores when used with hot water. Products like OxiClean Versatile are effective for stubborn mold smells.

Is It Safe to Wear Clothes With Mold Spots?

No, you should not wear clothes with mold spots. Wearing them can trigger allergic reactions, skin rashes, and respiratory issues. Always wash and sanitize the garment thoroughly before wearing it again.