Mildew from Fabric: What Works and What to Avoid

You left clothes in the washer overnight and now they have black spots and a musty smell. Or you found a damp towel in the bottom of a gym bag and it’s covered in mold. That’s mildew, a type of mold that grows on damp fabric. Mildew causes black or gray spots, a musty odor, and can permanently stain clothes if not treated. But mildew can be removed from most washable fabrics with the right products and methods. Here’s what works and what to avoid.

Mildew on fabric is a fungal growth that appears as black or gray spots with a musty odor. Mildew grows on damp fabric left in warm, humid conditions. Removing mildew requires killing the fungus and removing the stains with vinegar, oxygen bleach, or hydrogen peroxide.

To remove mildew from fabric, brush off loose spores outside, 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 mildewed clothes in the dryer.

What Works

Method 1: White Vinegar (Best for Most Fabrics)

Step 1: Brush off loose spores. Take the fabric outside and brush off loose mildew spores with a soft brush. Don’t do this indoors, as spores can spread.

Step 2: Soak in vinegar. Fill a tub with warm water and add 1 cup of white vinegar. Submerge the fabric and soak for 30 minutes. The vinegar kills the mildew fungus.

Step 3: Wash in hot water. Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water. Add 1 scoop of oxygen bleach for stain removal.

Step 4: Add baking soda. Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the wash for extra deodorizing.

Step 5: Dry in the sun. Dry in direct sunlight. UV rays kill remaining mildew and act as a natural bleaching agent.

Method 2: Oxygen Bleach (For Stubborn Stains)

Step 1: Soak in oxygen bleach. Fill a tub with warm water and add 2 scoops of oxygen bleach. Submerge the fabric and soak for 1 to 2 hours.

Step 2: Wash in hot water. Wash with enzyme detergent and 1 scoop of oxygen bleach in hot water.

Step 3: Dry in the sun.

Method 3: OxiClean Max Force Spray (For Spot Treatment)

OxiClean Max Force Spray contains enzymes that break down mildew stains.

Step 1: Spray the stains. Spray each mildew spot until saturated.

Step 2: Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Wash in hot water. Wash with enzyme detergent and oxygen bleach in hot water.

Step 4: Dry in the sun.

Method 4: Hydrogen Peroxide (For White Clothes Only)

Step 1: Apply hydrogen peroxide. Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide directly to the mildew stains. It kills the fungus and bleaches the stain.

Step 2: Let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Wash in hot water. Wash with enzyme detergent in hot water.

Step 4: Dry in the sun.

Don’t use hydrogen peroxide on colored clothes, as it can lighten the fabric.

Method 5: Chlorine Bleach (For White Cotton Only)

For stubborn mildew on white cotton and linen:

Step 1: Soak in chlorine bleach solution. Mix 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of warm water. Soak for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Wash in hot water. Wash with enzyme detergent in hot water.

Step 3: Dry in the sun.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes or synthetics.

What to Avoid

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

Don’t put mildewed clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat can set mildew stains permanently. Always air 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 brush spores indoors. Brushing mildew spores indoors spreads them to other surfaces. Brush outside.

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

Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer. Wet clothes grow mildew within 6 to 8 hours. Transfer within 2 hours.

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

How to Prevent Mildew 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.

Don’t leave wet towels in a gym bag. Remove wet towels and hang them to dry immediately.

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

Dry clothes completely. Make sure clothes are completely dry before storing.

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

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

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

FAQ

How do you remove mildew from fabric? Brush off loose spores outside, 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 (white clothes only).

Does vinegar remove mildew from fabric? Yes. White vinegar kills the mildew fungus and neutralizes odors. Soak the fabric in warm water with 1 cup of vinegar for 30 minutes, then wash in hot water with enzyme detergent and oxygen bleach.

Does oxygen bleach remove mildew stains from fabric? Yes. Oxygen bleach breaks down mildew stains without damaging colors. Soak in oxygen bleach solution for 1 to 2 hours, then wash in hot water with enzyme detergent. Dry in the sun.

Can you put mildewed clothes in the dryer? Don’t put mildewed clothes in the dryer until the mildew is completely gone. Dryer heat can set mildew stains permanently. Always air dry in the sun and check first.

How do you prevent mildew on clothes? Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer, don’t leave damp clothes in a pile, dry clothes completely before storing, store in a dry place, leave the washer door open between washes, and use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to kill bacteria.

References

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