How to Wash Moldy Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You left clothes in a damp pile or in the washer for too long, and now they have black spots and a musty smell. That’s mold. Mold on clothes is a fungal growth that can permanently stain fabric if not treated. But moldy clothes can be saved. The key is killing the mold spores and removing the stains with the right products and methods. Some treatments work well. Others can damage the fabric. Here’s how to wash moldy clothes without damage.

Moldy clothes are garments that have developed fungal growth (mold or mildew) from being left damp in warm, humid conditions. Mold appears as black, green, or gray spots with a musty odor. Washing moldy clothes requires killing the mold spores and removing the stains with vinegar, oxygen bleach, or hydrogen peroxide.

To wash moldy clothes, take them outside and brush off loose spores, soak in white vinegar for 30 minutes, wash in hot water with enzyme detergent and oxygen bleach, and dry in the sun. For stubborn stains, use OxiClean Max Force Spray or hydrogen peroxide. Don’t use cold water, don’t use chlorine bleach on colors, and don’t put moldy clothes in the dryer.

Step-by-Step: Washing Moldy Clothes

Step 1: Take Clothes Outside

Take the moldy clothes outside. Don’t shake them indoors, as mold spores can spread to other surfaces. Brush off loose spores with a soft brush.

Step 2: Pre-Soak in Vinegar

Fill a tub with warm water and add 1 cup of white vinegar. Submerge the moldy clothes and soak for 30 minutes. The vinegar kills the mold spores and neutralizes odors.

Step 3: Pre-Treat Visible Mold Spots

For visible black or green spots, apply one of these treatments:

OxiClean Max Force Spray: OxiClean Max Force Spray contains enzymes that break down mold stains. Spray each spot, let it sit for 10 minutes.

Hydrogen peroxide (white clothes only): Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide directly to mold spots. It kills the mold and bleaches the stain. Don’t use on colored clothes.

Baking soda paste: Mix Arm and Hammer Baking Soda with water to form a paste. Apply to spots, let it sit for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Wash in Hot Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water. Add 1 to 2 scoops of oxygen bleach for stain removal. Add half a cup of baking soda for extra deodorizing.

Step 5: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to remove any remaining odors.

Step 6: Dry in the Sun

Dry in direct sunlight. UV rays kill remaining mold spores and act as a natural bleaching agent. If you can’t sun dry, use the dryer on high heat only after checking that all mold is gone.

Step 7: Check Before Drying in the Dryer

Check the clothes before putting them in the dryer. If mold spots remain, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put moldy clothes in the dryer, as heat can set the stains.

Step 8: For Stubborn Mold, Use Chlorine Bleach (White Cotton Only)

For stubborn mold on white cotton and linen, soak in a solution of 1/4 cup chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of warm water for 15 minutes. Then wash in hot water with enzyme detergent. Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes or synthetics.

Mold on Different Fabrics

Fabric	Best Treatment	What to Avoid
White cotton	Vinegar + oxygen bleach + hydrogen peroxide	Cold water
Colored cotton	Vinegar + oxygen bleach	Chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide
Polyester	Vinegar + OxiClean	Chlorine bleach
Denim	Vinegar + oxygen bleach	Chlorine bleach
White cotton	Vinegar + chlorine bleach (stubborn)	Cold water
Silk	Professional cleaning	All home treatments
Wool	Professional cleaning	All home treatments

What Not to Do

Don’t take moldy clothes indoors. Take them outside to brush off spores. Brushing indoors spreads spores to other surfaces.

Don’t use cold water. Cold water doesn’t kill mold or dissolve the stains. Use hot water for moldy clothes.

Don’t put moldy clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat can set mold stains permanently. Always dry in the sun and check first.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colors. Chlorine bleach strips color. Use oxygen bleach or vinegar instead.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on synthetics. Chlorine bleach can yellow polyester and other synthetics.

Don’t mix chlorine bleach and vinegar. Mixing them creates toxic chlorine gas. Never combine them.

Don’t ignore the washing machine. A dirty machine can transfer mold to clothes. Clean monthly with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

Don’t use fabric softener. It coats fibers and traps moisture, which promotes mold growth.

How to Prevent Mold on Clothes

Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer. Transfer to the dryer or drying rack within 2 hours.

Don’t leave damp clothes in a pile. Hang or spread damp clothes to dry before putting them in the hamper.

Dry clothes completely before storing. Make sure clothes are completely dry before putting them away.

Store in a dry place. Don’t store clothes in damp basements or attics.

Use baking soda in the closet. Place an open container of baking soda to absorb moisture.

Use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer. Add to the rinse cycle to kill bacteria and prevent odors.

Leave the washer door open. Leave the door open between washes to let the drum dry.

Use Dawn Ultra Dish Soap for oil stains. Pre-treat before washing.

FAQ

How do you wash moldy clothes? Take clothes outside and brush off loose spores, soak in white vinegar for 30 minutes, pre-treat visible spots with OxiClean or hydrogen peroxide, wash in hot water with enzyme detergent and oxygen bleach, and dry in the sun. Don’t put moldy clothes in the dryer.

Does vinegar kill mold on clothes? Yes. White vinegar kills most mold spores. Soak moldy clothes in warm water with 1 cup of vinegar for 30 minutes, then wash in hot water with enzyme detergent and oxygen bleach.

Can you save moldy clothes? Yes, most moldy clothes can be saved if treated promptly. Brush off spores outside, soak in vinegar, pre-treat spots, wash in hot water with oxygen bleach, and dry in the sun. For stubborn mold on white cotton, use chlorine bleach.

Can you put moldy clothes in the dryer? Don’t put moldy clothes in the dryer until all mold is gone. Dryer heat can set mold stains permanently. Always dry in the sun and check first. If you must use a dryer, use high heat only after confirming all mold is removed.

Does hot water kill mold on clothes? Yes. Hot water (120 to 140F) kills most mold spores and helps dissolve stains. Wash moldy clothes in the hottest water safe for the fabric.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove Mold from Clothes.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Get Mold Out of Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Mold Removal Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Mold Stain Removal Guide.” oxiclean.com.