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Mold on Clothing

Over the fourth of July, my husband and I went camping. The day we came home, we rushed to unload the truck because we had a graduation party to go to. Yesterday afternoon, I found a bag that I had overlooked before and it smelled musty. I opened it up and realized that it was the bag filled with wet clothes and towels!!! The mold is so bad, it's disgusting!! I have ran the items through the wash about 5 times already, but I can't seem to get the odor out. Is there any way to salvage these items, or would the best thing be to throw them away?? Thanks for all your help!!!

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So What Happened?™

Thank you to all who responded!! I tried all of your techniques and there was still a bit of an odor still. I told my grandmother about it and she said "Wash them in Borax soap and hang them in the sun to dry. The sun is the secret." I thought she was crazy, but I thought I would give it a try before I threw everything away. Wouldn't you know- the sunshine is the secret!!! I put everything outside aside from a few unmentionables, which I hung in my bathroom. The clothes outside dried without any odor whatsoever, and my unmentionables still smelled mildewy. My granny really does know what she's talking about. =) Thanks again!!!

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My experience with mold has not been too successful. I sadly learned the hard way that I just can't win the battle with mold. I had a few items that were almost new. Same thing happened they got wet, was put in a bag and forgotten about until the odor ratted them out. I was heart broken as I tried just about everything...even bleach on a white shirt. I found nothing never took the stain out or completely removed the odor. And I even tried washing it a bunch of times on top of trying different products. That didn't help either. I ended up having to throw away the clothes that were infected. Sorry I can't be more help...maybe someone else has a solution?

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I think someone else mentioned, so I will echo.. use vinegar in a hot wash cycle. Make sure to let it stand for a bit. Also anything with a oxygen releasers! Good Luck

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If you can't use bleach try baking soda and or dishwasher soap on the hotest temp you have. Good luck!!

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My experience with mold has not been too successful. I sadly learned the hard way that I just can't win the battle with mold. I had a few items that were almost new. Same thing happened they got wet, was put in a bag and forgotten about until the odor ratted them out. I was heart broken as I tried just about everything...even bleach on a white shirt. I found nothing never took the stain out or completely removed the odor. And I even tried washing it a bunch of times on top of trying different products. That didn't help either. I ended up having to throw away the clothes that were infected. Sorry I can't be more help...maybe someone else has a solution?

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I use Arm & Hammer liquid laundry detergent and a hot water wash cycle for items that are moldy. If, however, they have those little black spots on them you might want to just throw them out. I've never been successful in removing those marks.

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I have had this happen to me already and unfortunately I wasn't able to get the smell out either. I ended up having to throw them away. You could try and use oxi clean I heard that is helps. Good Luck.

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When my kids clothes got like that from being left outside I ended
throwing them away because nothing I did got the smell or the black spots out.

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I would try washing the load in white vinegar instead of detergent, then wash in detergent. If that doesn't work, try bleach = but that might not be good for your colors. There is something called Oxymold from the makers of oxyclean, but I have never used it but you can find more info on the net.
good luck...

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Have you tried vinegar? Distilled vinegar is a great cleaner and stain remover. I know it does a great job removing build up and odor in the washing machine. Perhaps it would work on clothes too.

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