How to Get Mildew Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric
How to Get Mildew Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric
You left a load of laundry in the washer overnight. When you opened the lid the next morning, the smell hit you first: musty, sour, and damp. Then you saw black spots on your favorite shirt. That’s mildew, a type of mold that grows on fabric in damp conditions. Mildew on clothes is common when wet clothes sit too long, but it can be removed if you treat it correctly. The key is killing the mold spores and removing the stains without damaging the fabric.
Mildew on clothes is a type of mold that grows on fabric in damp, warm conditions. It appears as black, gray, or white spots and has a musty odor. Mildew can damage fabric fibers if left untreated, so it’s important to remove it promptly.
To get mildew out of clothes, take the garment outside and brush off loose spores, pretreat the stains with white vinegar or OxiClean, wash in hot water with enzyme detergent and 1 cup of vinegar, and dry in the sun if possible. For stubborn mildew, use chlorine bleach on white fabrics or oxygen bleach on colored fabrics. Don’t put mildewed clothes in the dryer until the stains are gone.
Step-by-Step: Mildew Removal
Step 1: Take the garment outside. Take the mildewed clothes outdoors and brush off loose spores with a soft brush. Don’t do this indoors, as the spores can spread to other surfaces.
Step 2: Pretreat the stains. Apply white vinegar directly to the mildew stains with a spray bottle or cotton ball. Vinegar kills mold spores and helps remove the stains. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
For stubborn stains on washable fabrics, use OxiClean Max Force Spray instead of or in addition to vinegar. Spray the stains until saturated and let sit for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Wash in hot water. Wash the garment in the hottest water safe for the fabric with an enzyme detergent like Tide Free and Gentle. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle to help kill remaining spores.
Step 4: Check before drying. Don’t put the garment in the dryer until the mildew stains are completely gone. Dryer heat can set the stains.
Step 5: Dry in the sun if possible. Sunlight is a natural mold killer. If you can, hang the garment outside in direct sunlight to dry. The UV rays help kill remaining spores and bleach out the stains.
Step 6: Repeat if needed. If the stains remain, repeat the treatment. Don’t put the garment away until the mildew is completely gone.
For Stubborn Mildew Stains
If vinegar and OxiClean don’t remove the mildew, try these stronger treatments:
Chlorine bleach (white fabrics only): Add 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach to the wash cycle. Chlorine bleach kills mold and removes mildew stains. Only use on pure white fabrics, as it strips color from dyed fabrics.
Oxygen bleach (colored fabrics): Use oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) for colored fabrics. It kills mold and removes stains without stripping color. Add to the wash cycle according to package instructions.
Baking soda paste: Mix Arm and Hammer Baking Soda with water to form a paste. Apply to the mildew stains, let it sit for 30 minutes, then wash. Baking soda is gentle and safe for all fabrics.
Lemon juice and salt: Apply lemon juice to the stain, then sprinkle with salt. Place the garment in the sun. The combination of lemon acid, salt, and UV light helps remove mildew stains. Best for white and light fabrics.
Mildew on Different Fabrics
| Fabric | Best Treatment | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| White cotton | Chlorine bleach, vinegar, sun | Don’t use on colors |
| Colored cotton | Oxygen bleach, vinegar, OxiClean | Chlorine bleach |
| Polyester | Vinegar, OxiClean | Chlorine bleach |
| Delicate fabrics | Vinegar, baking soda paste | Chlorine bleach, OxiClean |
| Towels | Hot water, vinegar, oxygen bleach | Fabric softener |
| Upholstery | Vinegar spray, professional cleaning | Saturating the fabric |
How to Prevent Mildew on Clothes
Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer. The most common cause of mildew. Transfer clothes to the dryer or a drying rack within 2 hours of the wash cycle finishing.
Dry clothes completely before storing. Even slightly damp clothes will grow mildew in storage. Dry thoroughly before putting away.
Don’t store clothes in damp areas. Avoid storing clothes in basements, garages, or other damp areas. Use climate-controlled storage.
Use breathable storage. Don’t store clothes in airtight plastic containers, which trap moisture. Use breathable fabric bins or cardboard boxes for natural fibers.
Clean your washing machine monthly. A dirty washing machine can transfer mold to clothes. Run a cleaning cycle with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly.
Leave the washer door open. After each wash, leave the door or lid open to let the drum dry between uses.
What Not to Do
Don’t put mildewed clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat can set mildew stains permanently. Always treat and air dry first.
Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored fabrics. It strips color. Use oxygen bleach instead.
Don’t brush mildew indoors. Spores can spread to other surfaces and cause more mold. Brush off spores outdoors.
Don’t ignore the smell. If clothes smell musty but you don’t see spots, mildew may be starting. Wash with vinegar and hot water to kill the spores before stains appear.
Don’t store damp clothes. Even slightly damp clothes will grow mildew in storage.
FAQ
How do you get mildew out of clothes? Take the garment outside and brush off loose spores, pretreat with white vinegar or OxiClean, wash in hot water with enzyme detergent and 1 cup of vinegar, and dry in the sun if possible. For stubborn stains, use chlorine bleach on white fabrics or oxygen bleach on colored fabrics.
Does vinegar kill mildew on clothes? Yes. White vinegar kills mold spores and helps remove mildew stains. Apply it directly to the stains, let it sit for 15 minutes, then wash in hot water with 1 cup of vinegar added to the wash cycle.
Can you get mildew stains out of clothes? Yes. Pretreat with vinegar or OxiClean, wash in hot water with enzyme detergent, and dry in the sun. For stubborn stains, use chlorine bleach on white fabrics or oxygen bleach on colored fabrics. Repeat if needed.
How do you prevent mildew on clothes? Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer, dry clothes completely before storing, don’t store in damp areas, use breathable storage, clean your washing machine monthly, and leave the washer door open after each wash.
Can you put mildewed clothes in the dryer? Don’t put mildewed clothes in the dryer until the mildew stains are completely gone. Dryer heat can set the stains permanently. Treat the stains first, then air dry or dry in the sun.
Does bleach kill mildew on clothes? Yes. Chlorine bleach kills mildew and removes stains, but only use it on white fabrics. For colored fabrics, use oxygen bleach, which kills mildew without stripping color.
How do you remove mildew smell from clothes? Wash with 1 cup of white vinegar in hot water with enzyme detergent. The vinegar kills the mold spores that cause the smell. Dry in the sun if possible. If the smell persists, repeat the wash.
References
- Tide. “How to Remove Mildew from Clothes.” tide.com.
- The Spruce. “How to Remove Mildew Stains.” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “How to Get Mildew Out of Clothes.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- CDC. “Mold Cleanup Guide.” cdc.gov.
