How to Get Mold Off Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You found mold on your clothes. Maybe you left clothes in the washer too long, stored them in a damp place, or found them in a forgotten box. Mold on clothes is a common problem that can be fixed with the right products. Here’s how to get mold off clothes without damaging the fabric.

Mold on clothes is a fungal growth caused by damp, warm conditions. Mold spores land on fabric and grow, feeding on organic matter in the fibers. Mold causes dark spots, a musty smell, and can weaken fabric over time. Removing mold requires killing the spores (vinegar or oxygen bleach), removing the stains (baking soda and detergent), and preventing regrowth (thorough drying).

To get mold off clothes, take them outside to brush off spores, soak in white vinegar for 30 minutes, apply baking soda paste to stains, scrub with a toothbrush, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with OxiClean, and dry in the sun. Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes, don’t use cold water, and don’t put moldy clothes in the dryer.

Step-by-Step: Removing Mold from Clothes

Step 1: Take Clothes Outside

Take moldy clothes outside to brush off loose spores. Don’t do this indoors, which can spread spores to other clothes and surfaces.

Step 2: Brush Off Loose Mold

Use a soft brush to brush off loose mold spores. Don’t scrub yet, which can push spores deeper.

Step 3: Soak in White Vinegar

Soak the moldy clothes in white vinegar for 30 minutes. Vinegar kills mold spores and removes odors. Use enough vinegar to cover the affected area.

Step 4: Apply Baking Soda Paste

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

Step 5: Scrub with a Toothbrush

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

Step 6: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the stains. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 7: Apply OxiClean

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

Step 8: Wash in Hot Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water. Hot water kills remaining mold spores. Add half a cup of baking soda to the wash.

Step 9: Add Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse for extra disinfecting.

Step 10: Dry in the Sun

Dry the clothes in direct sunlight if possible. UV rays kill mold and remove odors. If you can’t dry outside, use the hottest dryer setting that’s safe for the fabric.

Step 11: Check Before Storing

Check that all mold stains and odors are gone before storing. If mold remains, repeat the process.

For Stubborn Mold Stains

Use Oxygen Bleach

Use oxygen bleach (OxiClean) instead of chlorine bleach. Oxygen bleach is safe for colored clothes and kills mold. Add 1 scoop to the wash.

Use White Vinegar Full Strength

For severe mold, apply white vinegar full strength to the stains. Let it sit for 30 minutes before washing.

Use Shout Foam

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

Use Amodex for Ink and Mold Stains

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

Clean the Machine After

After washing moldy clothes, clean the machine with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner to kill any remaining spores.

Mold Removal by Fabric Type

Fabric	Best Treatment	What to Avoid
Cotton	Vinegar, baking soda, OxiClean, hot water	Chlorine bleach on colored
Polyester	Vinegar, baking soda, OxiClean, warm water	Hot water (can damage)
Wool	Vinegar, gentle wash, dry clean	Scrubbing, hot water
Silk	Vinegar, gentle hand wash, dry clean	Scrubbing, hot water
White cotton	Vinegar, oxygen bleach, sun dry	Chlorine bleach (can weaken)
Denim	Vinegar, baking soda, OxiClean, hot water	Cold water

How to Prevent Mold on Clothes

Don’t Leave Wet Clothes in the Washer

Remove clothes from the washer as soon as the cycle ends. Don’t leave wet clothes sitting.

Dry Clothes Completely

Make sure clothes are completely dry before storing. Damp clothes grow mold.

Store in a Dry Place

Store clothes in a cool, dry place. Don’t store in damp basements or humid areas.

Use Moisture Absorbers

Place moisture absorbers (like baking soda or silica gel) in storage areas to reduce humidity.

Clean the Washer Monthly

Clean the washer monthly with affresh to prevent mold from growing in the machine and spreading to clothes.

Use Lysol for Damp Loads

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to loads that might stay damp, like towels and gym clothes.

What Not to Do

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes. Chlorine bleach can damage colored clothes. Use oxygen bleach instead.

Don’t use cold water. Cold water doesn’t kill mold spores. Use hot water for cotton and warm water for synthetics.

Don’t put moldy clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat can set mold stains. Dry in the sun if possible.

Don’t scrub mold indoors. Scrubbing mold indoors can spread spores. Take clothes outside first.

Don’t store damp clothes. Damp clothes grow mold. Always dry completely before storing.

Don’t mix moldy clothes with clean clothes. Mold spores can spread. Wash moldy clothes separately.

FAQ

How do you get mold off clothes? Take clothes outside, brush off loose spores, soak in white vinegar for 30 minutes, apply baking soda paste, scrub with a toothbrush, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with OxiClean, and dry in the sun.

Does vinegar kill mold on clothes? Yes. White vinegar kills mold spores and removes odors. Soak moldy clothes in white vinegar for 30 minutes before washing.

Does hot water kill mold on clothes? Yes. Hot water kills mold spores. Wash moldy clothes in hot water with detergent and OxiClean. Use warm water for synthetics that can’t handle hot water.

Can you put moldy clothes in the dryer? Don’t put moldy clothes in the dryer until the mold is gone. Dryer heat can set mold stains. Dry in the sun if possible.

How do you prevent mold on clothes? Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer, dry clothes completely before storing, store in a dry place, use moisture absorbers, and clean the washer monthly with affresh.

References

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