How to Remove Mildew Stain from Fabric Without Damaging the Fabric

You have mildew stains on fabric and want to remove them. Maybe you see black or brown spots on clothes, towels, or upholstery, and they won’t come out with regular washing. Mildew stains are caused by mold growing on fabric in damp, warm conditions. Here’s how to remove mildew stains from fabric without damaging the fabric.

Mildew stains on fabric are caused by mold growing on the surface and penetrating the fibers, leaving black or brown spots. The stains are difficult to remove because the mold pigment bonds with the fabric. The key to removing mildew stains is killing the mold (vinegar, oxygen bleach, hot water) and lifting the pigment (baking soda, OxiClean). The key is treating the stain as soon as possible and not putting mildew-stained fabric in the dryer.

To remove mildew stains from fabric, take the fabric outside, soak in white vinegar for 30 minutes, apply baking soda paste to the stains, scrub with a toothbrush, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with OxiClean and baking soda, add Lysol to the rinse, add vinegar to the rinse, and dry in the sun. Don’t use cold water, don’t put mildew-stained fabric in the dryer, and don’t use chlorine bleach on colored fabric.

Step-by-Step: Removing Mildew Stains from Fabric

Step 1: Take Fabric Outside

Take mildew-stained fabric outside to shake off loose spores. Don’t do this indoors, which can spread spores.

Step 2: Soak in White Vinegar

Soak the fabric in white vinegar for 30 minutes. Vinegar kills mold spores and helps lift the stain. Use enough vinegar to cover the fabric.

Step 3: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and water. Apply to the mildew stains. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to lift the mold pigment.

Step 4: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the stains. Let sit for 15 minutes. Dawn breaks down the organic matter in the mildew.

Step 5: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes. OxiClean breaks down the mold pigment.

Step 6: Apply Shout Foam

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

Step 7: Wash in Hot Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Hot water kills mold spores. Add half a cup of baking soda and 1 scoop of OxiClean to the wash.

Step 8: Add Lysol to the Rinse

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse for disinfecting and killing remaining mold spores.

Step 9: 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.

Step 10: Dry in the Sun

Dry the fabric in direct sunlight if possible. UV rays kill mold and help lift the stain. If you can’t dry outside, use the hottest dryer setting safe for the fabric.

Step 11: Check Before Storing

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

Step 12: Clean the Machine After

After washing mildew-stained fabric, clean the machine with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner to kill any remaining spores.

For Stubborn Mildew Stains

Use Oxygen Bleach Soak

Soak the fabric in a solution of OxiClean and hot water for 2 to 6 hours before washing. This gives the oxygen bleach more time to break down the mold pigment.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide (For White Fabric)

For stubborn mildew stains on white fabric, apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain. Let sit for 10 minutes. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that’s safe for white fabric. Don’t use on colored fabric.

Use Chlorine Bleach (For White Cotton, Last Resort)

For severe mildew stains on white cotton, use chlorine bleach. Add half a cup to the wash. Don’t use on colored fabric or fabric with colored trim. Use sparingly to avoid weakening fabric.

Use Amodex for Ink Mixed with Mildew

If the mildew stain has ink mixed in, use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover.

Run Two Wash Cycles

For severe mildew stains, run two wash cycles. Use vinegar and baking soda for the first and Tide Free and Gentle with OxiClean for the second.

Mildew Stain Removal by Fabric Type

Fabric Type	Best Treatment	Water Temp	Notes
White cotton	OxiClean, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar	Hot	Can use chlorine bleach as last resort
Colored cotton	OxiClean, baking soda, vinegar	Hot	Don’t use chlorine bleach
Polyester	OxiClean, baking soda, vinegar	Hot	Gentler scrubbing
Towels	OxiClean, vinegar, Lysol	Hot	May need 2 cycles
Upholstery	Vinegar, baking soda, OxiClean	Warm	Blot, don’t soak
Canvas	OxiClean, vinegar, baking soda	Hot	Sturdy, can handle scrubbing

How to Prevent Mildew Stains on Fabric

Don’t Leave Wet Fabric Sitting

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

Dry Fabric Completely

Make sure fabric is completely dry before storing. Damp fabric grows mold.

Store in a Dry Place

Store fabric 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.

Clean the Machine Monthly

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

Add Lysol to Damp Loads

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

Leave the Door Open

Leave the washer door open between loads to allow the drum to dry.

What Not to Do

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

Don’t put mildew-stained fabric in the dryer. Dryer heat can set mildew stains. Dry in the sun if possible.

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

Don’t store damp fabric. Damp fabric grows mold. Always dry completely before storing.

Don’t mix mildew-stained fabric with clean fabric. Mold spores can spread. Wash mildew-stained fabric separately.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored fabric. Chlorine bleach can remove color. Use oxygen bleach (OxiClean) instead.

FAQ

How do you remove mildew stains from fabric? Take fabric outside, 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 baking soda, add Lysol to the rinse, and dry in the sun.

What removes mildew stains from fabric? White vinegar, oxygen bleach (OxiClean), baking soda, hot water, and sunlight remove mildew stains from fabric. For stubborn stains on white fabric, use hydrogen peroxide.

Does vinegar remove mildew stains from fabric? Yes. White vinegar kills mold spores and helps lift the stain. Soak mildew-stained fabric in vinegar for 30 minutes before washing.

Does hot water kill mildew on fabric? Yes. Hot water kills mold spores. Wash mildew-stained fabric in hot water with Tide Free and Gentle and OxiClean.

Can you put mildew-stained fabric in the dryer? Don’t put mildew-stained fabric in the dryer until the stain is gone. Dryer heat can set mildew stains. Dry in the sun if possible.

References

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