Mold on Clothes

Updated on August 16, 2008
A.F. asks from Littleton, NH
24 answers

Help!! I was separating laundry last night in preperation of heading to the laundromat today and found several bibs, a sleeper and a few random pieces of my daughters clothes have mold on them. It's been a very wet summer here (a bit unusual) so I'm assuming the extra moisture in the air helped with this problem. I've never come across it before and I don't know how to get it out!! I soaked everthing last night (overnight) but that didn't work. Please help!! I'd love to be able to salvage at least some of these pieces!! Thanks Ladies!

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So What Happened?

Thank you SO much for all of the responses!! I tried soaking with dilluted bleach...no go, then I soaked in OxyClean and ran them through the washer with detergent and Oxyclean and that didn't work either. For the past couple of days it's been really nice out, so I am letting them get lots of sun and then I'm going to try the vinegar, hopefully that will work!! Thanks again for all of your help. I didn't even know where to start! (And, I've discovered OxyClean which is great!)

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C.Q.

answers from Barnstable on

Hi A.,
I had the same problem and the oxyclean/bleach treatments didn't work for me. I went to the grocery store and in the detergent aisle with all of the stain treatments, there are small bottles of treatments that specialize in removing mold stains. I can't think of the name, but it listed mold right on the bottle as one of the stains it treats. I found it at Stop and Shop about a year ago or so.
Good luck,
C.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from Boston on

you can try oxiclean i have used to spray with little luck. After it washes out it leaves pink stains behind, maybe the powder will work better

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P.S.

answers from Boston on

This same thing just happened to me. I used Tilex mold and mildew. Don't let it sit too long..it will bleach out the fabric. I think any type of bathroom cleaner will work well. We even used it on my daughters seat for her jumperoo...It worked great. It's worth a try!

Good Luck!
P.

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C.L.

answers from Boston on

BioKleen (natural)'s Bac-Out soap should works. I use it to remove the mold out my son's jogger stroller. It works good.

good luck :o)

1 mom found this helpful
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R.Z.

answers from Boston on

Try soaking them in bleach and then rinsing twice to make sure you get all of the bleach out.

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E.B.

answers from Louisville on

I swear by oxyclean, soak the clothes/bibs for 24hrs and then spray with spray and wash and wash them and they should be good as new!

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M.R.

answers from Boston on

well, chlorox will likely get the mold out, but could harm the clothing. i've heard that white vinigar is very useful for getting out stains, but i've not used it for this.

good luck,
M

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W.H.

answers from New London on

I have the same problem at the moment! I was told to wash everything in white vinegar. That is the clothes but also the place that it is stored in. The vinegar will not harm you or your kiddo but will certianly do a number on the mold. It seems to be working for me.

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A.C.

answers from Providence on

I have ruined so many clothes this summer I forgot that I left a load in the washing machine (over night) and they all were covered in mold the next morning so if you find a way to get it out please let me know. I have tried soaking and spraying and nothing seems to work for me. Good luck!!

E.T.

answers from Boston on

Hi A., I just helped a business associate who was having the same issue with their baby's clothes. The simplest way to take care of this on a daily basis is to keep a small squirt bottle of Shaklee's laundry detergent beside the changing table. The Shaklee detergent is non-toxic so it is safe for you and the baby. It is also a very effective pre-soak & stain fighter. I recommend that you squirt a little of this detergent directly on any stains, rub a little, & then throw it in your laundry basket. Even if you don't get them in the wash for several days, this step will keep the garments from staining or molding. As an extra step, I would always, always use one scoop of Shaklee's Nature Bright in the wash when you do it. It is a laundry booster and far safer than bleach. Again it is non-toxic so is safe for you and baby. This is also the product that will get rid of those mold stains you already have on some things. To accomplish this, mix one scoop of Nature Bright and one small squirt of Shaklee's laundry detergent in hot/warm water in the laundry sink/large basin/whatever - once all is totally dissolved, then add the clothing. You may need to soak them for a couple of days actually in an effort to get these mold stains out. You may not get them all out, but this is your strongest chance at having any progress that I have found. For really stubborn stains, folks have had success with making a paste out of the Nature Bright mixed with a little of the detergent -- then rub paste directly on the mold stain -- let sit for about an hour, and then put in the sink/basin with the dissolved Nature Bright & detergent in water as described above and let soak for a day or two. After soaking, just throw in your washing machine and wash as usual; however, I would still add a scoop of Nature Bright to this wash also. If you wish to try this, please go to my web site www.emilytaft.com and click "Home Care" on the left side menu. Then click into "Laundry". Then choose the size detergent you want and add to your cart. Now go back & look for the Nature Bright & add that to your cart. When you begin to "check out", a pop-up will ask if you want to become a member to save 15%. (It is just like becoming a member at Costco, Sam's, BJ's, etc., except that it is only $19.95 instead of $30 or $40.) If you want to, just follow the prompts. If you don't, just click that answer. Please feel free to call me or e-mail me with questions and/or help with the ordering. Where do you live? I am in Georgetown. If you are nearby, I can deliver these to you right away. Contact me at ###-###-#### or ____@____.com Best Wishes, A.. I hope this helps. It definitely worked for other people with babies. E. Taft

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L.Q.

answers from Boston on

use regular bleach on whites and color safe bleach on the rest soak for a while and then wash in the machine. it should take care of it.

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M.G.

answers from Boston on

Hi A.
To help prevent mold or mild-dew on clothes 1st clothes that R wet or damp is reason clothes mold. When they R bundled together no air 2 dry them & this can also cause them 2 sour. 2nd step is 2 hang clothes over side of tub, shower rod or anywhere they can dry out & get air. 3rd once completely dry they can B put in hamper or clothes basket.

A tid abt me:
I'm a mom w/ 4 grown (kids) + 5 grown gds + 2 grt-gds + another grt-gd on way.
No matter the age they're still our kids altho not goats LOL

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K.C.

answers from Boston on

A soak in bleach, dilute the bleach about 3 to 1 and don't let it sit there more than a few hours as the bleach will eat right through the fibers of fabric if left to sit for too long.

Then launder with detergent when you go to the laundromat as usual.

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R.F.

answers from Boston on

I have been having the same problem all summer. I have soaked the item in bleach if it is all white, used the Clorox Bleach Pen on white areas, and used Clorox 2 as well as Oxi Clean liquid in the washing machine for colors. It's not perfect, but it works soemtimes. ALso, I highly suggest rinsing the clothing out immediately after you change your daughter and leaving it in an open area to try. This is what helps the most.

Good luck!

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R.T.

answers from Boston on

Soaking in dilute bleach in hot water for a while before washing will kill the mold. It may or may not remove the stains though, and depending on the fabric, may affect the color of the clothes. I haven't had that happen yet, but I'll have to be on the look out!

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W.D.

answers from Boston on

I'd love the answer to this too!

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C.O.

answers from Boston on

Hi A.,

A lot of great answers. The two about tea tree oil and white vinegar are the most natural. Unfortunately for me, right now I am looking into mold remediation for my home, these are the ones I have found on-line that work the best and are healthy for you. I have tried the vinegar (even to just reduce the smell of laundry left in the washer a little too long) and it works.

Best of luck.

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A.E.

answers from Boston on

You're not the only one......I have had the same problem and I have tried everything! I would like some advice too since on on the dresses is brand new and my daughter wore it once!

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S.C.

answers from Bangor on

I use a great product that helps out with so many problems! It's called Sol-u-mel. It is a chemical free product that uses ingredients like tea tree oil to help with these kinds of problems. I get it from an online store. It's a natural solvent, degreaser & an odor eliminator. I've used it to remove mold out of several things especially tupperware! It's a great product to have around for so many reasons! I use it to remove stains from clothes. It will remove crayon, marker, nail polish, etc... from carpeting, walls & hard wood. I wouldn't be without it! Feel free to contact me for any more info. about it! Hope this helps!

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P.R.

answers from Boston on

Oxy Clean? Spray is ok but the powder mixed w/ water and let it soak for a while seems to work better...good luck!

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M.K.

answers from Boston on

Oxyclean should solve your problem - you can soak before or it will probably work if you just add the powder to the wash.

Good luck!

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N.R.

answers from Boston on

It has been a raining summer! Bleach should do the trick:)

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C.S.

answers from Boston on

It happened to me too and I just washed the clothes the usual way twice and the mold went away.

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A.S.

answers from Providence on

when i find little mildew spots on laundry, i lay the items in strong sunshine for a couple of hours. it usually does the trick!

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