How Do You Get Mold Spots Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You found mold spots on clothes. Maybe clothes were stored in a damp basement, or you left a load in the washer too long. Mold spots look like dark or black dots on fabric and come with a musty smell. Mold can be removed from clothes with the right products. Here’s how to get mold spots out of clothes without damage.

A mold spot on clothes is a fungal stain caused by mold growing on damp fabric. Mold thrives in warm, humid environments and feeds on organic matter in fabric. Mold spots are dark or black and come with a musty odor. Removing mold requires killing the fungus (vinegar), breaking down the stain (oxygen bleach), and removing the odor (baking soda).

To get mold spots out of clothes, take clothes outside first, brush off loose mold, soak in white vinegar for 30 minutes, apply Dawn dish soap, scrub with a toothbrush, soak in oxygen bleach for 1 to 2 hours, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with baking soda, add vinegar to the rinse, and dry in the sun. Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes, don’t use cold water, and don’t put mold-stained clothes in the dryer.

Step-by-Step: Removing Mold Spots from Clothes

Step 1: Take Clothes Outside

Take mold-stained clothes outside to prevent spreading spores indoors. Brush off loose mold with a soft brush.

Step 2: Soak in White Vinegar

Soak the stained clothes in white vinegar for 30 minutes. Vinegar kills the mold fungus and breaks down the stain.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the mold spots. Work it in gently. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 4: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the mold spots with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 5: Soak in Oxygen Bleach

Dissolve 1 scoop of oxygen bleach in hot water. Soak the stained clothes for 1 to 2 hours. Oxygen bleach breaks down the mold stain without damaging color.

Step 6: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 7: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and water. Apply to the spots. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 8: Wash in Hot Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water. Add 1 cup of baking soda and 1 scoop of oxygen bleach.

Step 9: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse. Vinegar kills remaining mold spores and removes odors.

Step 10: Add Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse for extra disinfecting.

Step 11: Dry in the Sun

Dry in the sun if possible. UV light kills mold and removes odors. Don’t put mold-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Stubborn Mold Spots

Use Chlorine Bleach (For White Cotton Only)

Use chlorine bleach for all-white cotton items. Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes or synthetic fabrics.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide (For White Clothes)

Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the mold spots. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Don’t use on colored clothes.

Use Lemon Juice and Sunlight

Apply lemon juice to the mold spots. Place clothes in direct sunlight for 2 to 3 hours.

Use Borax

Add half a cup of borax to the wash. Borax kills mold and removes odors.

Use Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Use Amodex

Apply Amodex Ink and Stain Remover. Work it in, let it sit for 10 minutes, and wash.

Clean the Machine Monthly

Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly to prevent mold in the machine.

How to Prevent Mold on Clothes

Don’t Leave Wet Clothes in the Washer

Move clothes from the washer to the dryer as soon as the wash cycle ends.

Dry Clothes Completely

Dry clothes completely before storing. Damp clothes grow mold in storage.

Store in a Cool, Dry Place

Store clothes in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Don’t store in damp basements.

Use a Dehumidifier

Use a dehumidifier in damp areas to reduce humidity.

Leave Closet Doors Open

Leave closet doors open occasionally to allow airflow.

Don’t Overcrowd Closets

Overcrowding prevents airflow and traps moisture.

What Not to Do

Don’t brush mold indoors. Brushing spreads spores. Take clothes outside first.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes. Chlorine bleach strips color. Use oxygen bleach.

Don’t use cold water. Cold water doesn’t kill mold. Use hot water.

Don’t put mold-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets the stain. Dry in the sun.

Don’t use hydrogen peroxide on colored clothes. It can lighten colors. Use on white clothes only.

Don’t ignore the musty smell. The smell means mold is present. Treat immediately.

FAQ

How do you get mold spots out of clothes? Take clothes outside, brush off loose mold, soak in white vinegar for 30 minutes, apply Dawn dish soap, scrub, soak in oxygen bleach for 1 to 2 hours, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with baking soda, add vinegar to the rinse, and dry in the sun.

Does vinegar kill mold on clothes? Yes. White vinegar kills the mold fungus and breaks down the stain. Soak mold-stained clothes in vinegar for 30 minutes before washing.

Does oxygen bleach remove mold spots? Yes. Oxygen bleach breaks down mold stains without damaging color. Dissolve 1 scoop in hot water, soak for 1 to 2 hours, and wash in hot water.

Can you use chlorine bleach on mold spots? Use chlorine bleach only on all-white cotton items. Don’t use on colored clothes or synthetic fabrics. Use oxygen bleach instead.

Can you put mold-stained clothes in the dryer? No. Dryer heat sets the stain. Dry in the sun if possible, as UV light kills mold.

References

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