How to Get Mold Stains Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You found mold stains on your clothes. Maybe they were stored in a damp basement, or left in the washer too long. Mold leaves dark spots that regular washing doesn’t remove. But mold stains can be removed from most washable fabrics. The key is killing the mold and removing the stain with the right products. Here’s how to get mold stains out of clothes without damage.

Mold stains on clothes are dark spots caused by mold spores growing on fabric fibers in damp conditions. Mold feeds on organic matter (dirt, sweat, food) trapped in fabric. Removing mold stains requires killing the mold spores and removing the pigment they leave behind.

To get mold stains out of clothes, take the clothes outside to remove loose spores, soak in vinegar and water for 30 minutes, apply oxygen bleach for white clothes or OxiClean for colored clothes, wash with enzyme detergent in hot water, and dry in the sun. Don’t use chlorine bleach on colors, don’t use cold water, and don’t put mold-stained clothes in the dryer until the stain is gone.

Step-by-Step: Removing Mold Stains from Clothes

Step 1: Take Clothes Outside

Take the moldy clothes outside and brush off loose mold spores with a soft brush. Don’t do this indoors, as the spores can spread.

Step 2: Pre-Soak in Vinegar

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

Step 3: Apply Oxygen Bleach (For White Clothes)

For white clothes, make a paste of oxygen bleach powder and water. Apply to the mold stains, let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse.

Step 4: Apply OxiClean (For Colored Clothes)

For colored clothes, spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let it sit for 15 minutes. The enzymes break down the mold.

Step 5: Apply Baking Soda Paste (For Stubborn Stains)

Mix Arm and Hammer Baking Soda with water to form a paste. Apply to the stains, let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush and rinse.

Step 6: Wash in Hot Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water. Add half a cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar to the wash.

Step 7: Add Lysol for Bacteria

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse to kill remaining bacteria.

Step 8: Dry in the Sun

Dry the clothes in direct sunlight. UV rays kill remaining mold spores and help remove the stain.

Step 9: Check Before Storing

Check that all mold stains are gone before storing the clothes. If any remain, treat again.

Mold Stains on Different Fabrics

Fabric	Best Treatment	What to Avoid
White cotton	Vinegar soak + oxygen bleach + sun	Chlorine bleach on colors
Colored cotton	Vinegar soak + OxiClean + sun	Chlorine bleach
Polyester	Vinegar soak + OxiClean	Hot water above care label max
Denim	Vinegar soak + baking soda paste	Chlorine bleach
Towels	Vinegar soak + oxygen bleach + hot water	Fabric softener
Silk	Professional cleaning	All home treatments
Wool	Professional cleaning	All home treatments

What Not to Do

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

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

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

Don’t brush mold off indoors. Mold spores spread indoors. Take clothes outside first.

Don’t use fabric softener. It coats fibers and traps mold.

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

Don’t mix vinegar and chlorine bleach. Mixing them creates toxic chlorine gas.

Don’t give up after one treatment. Mold stains may need 2 to 3 treatments to fully remove.

How to Prevent Mold on Clothes

Dry clothes completely before storing. Even slightly damp clothes can grow mold.

Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid damp basements and hot attics.

Use breathable storage. Use fabric storage boxes, not plastic bins.

Add cedar or lavender. Cedar blocks and lavender sachets repel pests and absorb moisture.

Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer. Transfer to the dryer or hang within 30 minutes.

Clean the machine monthly. Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly.

Use Dawn Ultra Dish Soap for food stains. Food residue feeds mold.

FAQ

How do you get mold stains out of clothes? Take clothes outside to remove loose spores, soak in vinegar and water for 30 minutes, apply oxygen bleach for whites or OxiClean for colors, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water, and dry in the sun. Repeat if needed.

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 before washing.

Does oxygen bleach remove mold stains from clothes? Yes. Make a paste of oxygen bleach powder and water, apply to the mold stains, let it sit for 30 minutes, rinse, and wash with enzyme detergent in hot water. Dry in the sun.

Can you put mold-stained clothes in the dryer? Don’t put mold-stained clothes in the dryer until the stain is gone. Dryer heat can set the stain. Dry in direct sunlight instead, as UV rays kill remaining mold spores.

How do you prevent mold on clothes? Dry clothes completely before storing, store in a cool dry place, use breathable fabric storage boxes, don’t leave wet clothes in the washer, and clean the machine monthly with affresh.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove Mold Stains from Clothes.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Mold Stain Removal Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Mold Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. CDC. “Mold Cleanup Guide.” cdc.gov.