Laundry Mold Removal: What Works and What to Avoid
Laundry Mold Removal: What Works and What to Avoid
You have mold in your laundry. Maybe your clothes smell musty, you see black spots in the washer, or your towels have a mildew odor. Mold in laundry is caused by damp clothes, poor machine maintenance, and humid conditions. Here’s what works and what to avoid for laundry mold removal.
Laundry mold is mold and mildew that grows on clothes, in the washing machine, or in the laundry area due to damp, warm conditions. Mold produces a musty odor and can cause black spots on clothes and in the machine. The key to laundry mold removal is killing the mold (vinegar, oxygen bleach, hot water), removing the odor (baking soda), and preventing regrowth (thorough drying, machine maintenance).
For laundry mold removal, wash moldy clothes with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with OxiClean and baking soda, add Lysol to the rinse, add vinegar to the rinse, dry in the sun, and clean the machine monthly with affresh. Don’t use cold water, don’t use fabric softener, and don’t leave wet clothes sitting.
What Works
Wash Moldy Clothes in Hot Water
Wash moldy clothes with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water. Hot water kills mold spores. Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and 1 scoop of OxiClean to the wash.
Soak in Vinegar
Soak moldy clothes in white vinegar for 30 minutes before washing. Vinegar kills mold spores and removes odors.
Use Oxygen Bleach
Add 1 scoop of OxiClean (oxygen bleach) to the wash. Oxygen bleach kills mold and is safe for colored clothes.
Use OxiClean Spray for Visible Mold
Pre-treat visible mold stains with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes.
Use Dawn for Grease Mixed with Mold
If moldy clothes also have grease stains, apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap. Let sit for 15 minutes.
Use Shout for Food Stains Mixed with Mold
If moldy clothes also have food stains, apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let sit for 15 minutes.
Use Amodex for Ink Mixed with Mold
If moldy clothes also have ink stains, use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover.
Add Lysol to the Rinse
Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse for disinfecting and killing remaining mold spores.
Add Vinegar to the Rinse
Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser for the rinse. Vinegar deodorizes and removes detergent residue.
Dry in the Sun
Dry moldy clothes in direct sunlight if possible. UV rays kill mold and remove odors.
Clean the Machine Monthly
Clean the washer monthly with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner to prevent mold from growing in the machine.
Leave the Door Open
Leave the washer door or lid open between loads to allow the drum to dry and prevent mold.
Wipe the Rubber Seal
Wipe the rubber seal around the door regularly with a dry cloth to remove trapped moisture and mold.
Clean the Dispenser
Clean the detergent dispenser regularly to prevent mold from growing in trapped moisture.
What to Avoid
Using Cold Water
Cold water doesn’t kill mold spores. Use hot water for mold removal.
Using Fabric Softener
Fabric softener leaves residue that feeds mold. Use white vinegar instead.
Leaving Wet Clothes Sitting
Leaving wet clothes in the washer causes mold. Remove clothes as soon as the cycle ends.
Closing the Door Between Loads
Closing the washer door traps moisture and causes mold. Leave the door open.
Not Cleaning the Machine
Not cleaning the machine monthly allows mold to grow in the machine and spread to clothes.
Using Chlorine Bleach on Colored Clothes
Chlorine bleach can remove color from colored clothes. Use oxygen bleach (OxiClean) instead.
Storing Damp Clothes
Damp clothes grow mold. Always dry completely before storing.
Mixing Moldy Clothes with Clean Clothes
Mold spores can spread. Wash moldy clothes separately.
Not Cleaning the Rubber Seal
The rubber seal around the door can trap water and grow mold. Wipe it regularly.
How to Remove Mold from the Washing Machine
Step 1: Run a Cleaning Cycle
Place one tablet of affresh Washing Machine Cleaner in the washer drum. Set to the hottest water and longest cycle. Run the cycle.
Step 2: Wipe the Rubber Seal
Wipe the rubber seal with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. Remove any visible mold.
Step 3: Clean the Dispenser
Remove the detergent dispenser and soak it in hot water with vinegar for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse and replace.
Step 4: Clean the Drum
Wipe the drum with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. Remove any visible mold.
Step 5: Run a Second Cleaning Cycle
Run a second empty hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar to kill remaining mold spores.
Step 6: Leave the Door Open
Leave the door open to allow the machine to dry completely.
How to Prevent Laundry Mold
Remove Clothes Promptly
Remove clothes from the washer as soon as the cycle ends. Don’t leave wet clothes sitting.
Leave the Door Open
Leave the washer door or lid open between loads to allow the drum to dry.
Clean the Machine Monthly
Clean the washer monthly with affresh to prevent mold from growing in the machine.
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 baking soda or silica gel in storage areas to reduce humidity.
Add Lysol to Damp Loads
Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to loads that might stay damp, like towels and gym clothes.
Don’t Use Fabric Softener
Fabric softener leaves residue that feeds mold. Use white vinegar instead.
Use Less Detergent
Excess detergent leaves residue that feeds mold. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle per load.
Comparison: What Works vs. What to Avoid
| Factor | What Works | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Water temperature | Hot water | Cold water |
| Bleach | Oxygen bleach (OxiClean) | Chlorine bleach on colors |
| Fabric softener | White vinegar | Fabric softener |
| Wet clothes | Remove promptly | Leaving wet clothes sitting |
| Machine door | Leave open | Closing the door |
| Machine cleaning | Monthly with affresh | Not cleaning |
| Rubber seal | Wipe regularly | Ignoring the seal |
| Dispenser | Clean regularly | Not cleaning |
| Storage | Cool, dry place | Damp, humid areas |
| Detergent amount | 1 to 2 tablespoons | Too much detergent |
FAQ
How do you remove mold from laundry? Wash moldy clothes with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with baking soda and OxiClean, add Lysol to the rinse, add vinegar to the rinse, and dry in the sun. Clean the machine monthly with affresh.
What kills mold in laundry? Hot water, white vinegar, oxygen bleach (OxiClean), and Lysol Laundry Sanitizer kill mold in laundry. Wash moldy clothes in hot water with OxiClean and add Lysol to the rinse.
How do you remove mold from the washing machine? Run an empty hot cycle with affresh, wipe the rubber seal with vinegar, clean the dispenser, run a second cycle with vinegar, and leave the door open.
How do you prevent mold in laundry? Remove clothes promptly, leave the door open, clean the machine monthly with affresh, dry clothes completely, store in a dry place, use moisture absorbers, add Lysol to damp loads, don’t use fabric softener, and use less detergent.
Does vinegar kill mold in laundry? Yes. White vinegar kills mold spores. Soak moldy clothes in vinegar for 30 minutes before washing, or add half a cup to the rinse.
References
- Tide. “Mold Removal Guide.” tide.com.
- The Spruce. “How to Remove Mold from Laundry.” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “Mold Removal Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- affresh. “Cleaning Guide.” affresh.com.
