Mold on clothes: homemade recipes to end the problem

With the cold seasons approaching, it’s time to take the cold clothes out of the closet. The problem is that clothes stored for a long time, especially heavier fabrics, constantly come out of the closet with that unpleasant musty smell and sometimes even mildew stains.

Some more complicated mold stains can be so difficult to fix that it makes you want to give up and throw them away. But calm down: you don’t need to be an expert to do it. There are several effective and inexpensive homemade recipes that promise to bring back all the vivacity of clothes so that you can dress comfortably this winter or any season.

Like any problem to be solved, to get rid of mold on clothes, you first need to know what the cause is. There are some aspects that favor the emergence of mold and each of them can be solved in a different way: where you live, the relative humidity of the air, the season of the year, the type of closet, the place in the house where the closet is , the way you store your clothes, among many other reasons.

Mold thrives in an environment that is also conducive to dust mites and these two often hang out together. Therefore, in addition to making clothes smell bad, it is also the cause of skin and respiratory allergies. More than an aesthetic problem, mold must be fought for your health and that of your family.

Let’s see some of the best tips that promise to get rid of mold on clothes and also prevent it from returning:

1. Bleach water

The oldest solution and still one of the most used is bleach. A powerful weapon against mold and stains on clothes. You can use it in different ways, depending on the type of stain or fabric. Check out two recipes, but be careful: bleach can fade clothes, so it’s recommended to test on a very small piece of the piece.

Bleach + water: For more resistant white fabrics, let the clothes soak in bleach diluted in water for a few minutes. Use the measure of 100ml for every 5 liters of water. Soak for about 15 minutes and then wash as usual.

Bleach + sugar: For every liter of bleach, add a cup of sugar. That’s right, bleach attacks the sugar, preventing less resistant fabrics from being damaged. Soak the garment in this solution for about half an hour or until the stain disappears.

2. Vinegar

Vinegar is very effective in getting rid of strong mold smells and stains, without the risk of damaging the fabrics. It’s also great for cleaning shoes or leather bags that have become moldy.

Pure vinegar: With a clean, damp cloth, apply white alcohol vinegar to the stain and rub it in slowly. Let it dry well (in the shade) and then wash normally.

Vinegar + water: You can also soak the pieces in water and vinegar for approximately 20 minutes and the stains will come out on their own. This is a good option for wool items. After the process, wash the clothes as usual.

Vinegar for leather: For leather garments, boots, coats or bags, wipe the mold off the outside with a cloth soaked in vinegar. After cleaning, remove excess vinegar with a clean damp cloth, let it dry well and then moisturize with Vaseline or almond oil.

3. Boiled milk

Boiled milk is indicated to remove mold stains from more sensitive, colored, silk or synthetic clothes. It has the power to remove the stain easily without major risks to the fabric.

Step by step: Pour the boiled milk over the stain and wait for it to lighten. Then wash your clothes normally.

4. Sodium bicarbonate

To solve tougher stains on clothes that have been stored for a long time, a good option is baking soda. Mixed with water, it has the power to loosen fabric stains without leaving damage or stains.

Step by step: Add about a teaspoon of baking soda for every liter of water and boil the clothes in this solution. Then wash the garment as usual.

5. Sun

For those who are lucky enough to be able to hang their clothes in the sun, this is the most important and simple tip. The sun is a powerful tool against mold and mites. A sunbath can be the simplest way to get the smell out of clothes, blankets and comforters.

Step by step: For clothes with only that unpleasant musty smell, put them in a long sunbath, remembering to hang colorful clothes on the wrong side. This should be enough for the odor to disappear.

6. Lemon juice

Indicated for white and colored clothes, lemon can be a natural bleach and therefore also serves to remove mildew stains.

Step by step: Pour some lemon juice over the stains and leave it in the sun for a few hours to act. You can also mix lemon juice with salt to enhance the mixture. After the process, wash the clothes normally.

It is important to note that the older the stain, the more difficult it is to resolve and it may take more time or other care. Don’t forget to test any homemade recipe on a small piece of fabric before continuing the process.

How to prevent your clothes from mildew

Better than cure is prevention. So that you don’t have to worry about having to clean stains on clothes, some measures can be taken to prevent or at least delay the proliferation of mold on clothes, shoes and inside the closet. These simple tips are worth investing in and avoiding more work in the future:

• The sun will be your greatest ally against mold on clothes. Whenever you can, put on the heaviest clothes to get some sun. Mainly leather items, bags, shoes, coats and blankets.
• Never store used or damp clothes in the closet. Any small dirt or sweat can turn into a mildew stain when the garment is stored too long. Just leave clothes completely clean and free of any dirt in the closet.
• Store shoes in plastic or non-woven bags, especially leather ones.
• Clothes that are stored for a long time, especially winter ones, should be stored in a plastic bag, preventing air from entering. After the cold season, wash blankets, comforters and heavier coats, dry them well in the sun and then store them in sturdy, tightly closed plastic bags.
• Keep the closet well ventilated. On clearer, warmer days, leave the doors open for a few hours.
• If the closet has also become moldy, remove the clothes and clean the entire interior, including the drawers and shelves, with white vinegar. In addition to attacking mold, vinegar also prevents it from returning.
• Dehumidifiers, sold in supermarkets, absorb moisture from the air preventing mold and bad odors from accumulating on clothes. They are quite effective and, depending on the relative humidity of the place, last from 5 to 15 days approximately. There is also the electronic version that achieves longer lasting results.

Your favorite clothes no longer have to suffer from mold. By following our tips on how to remove stains and also prevent them from returning, this concern will go away or, at least, take time to come back! 😉