What is the best way to get mold out of clothing?

Question

One day I took my laundry downstairs into our basement and left it on the floor in my basket becuase my mom told me I had to wait to do mine becuase she needed to wash my sheets. My brother needed a basket and dumped my clothes on the floor and took it. My clothes were left on the floor when the basement flooded. I wasn't home at the time and got stuck at a friends house for several days until the road was back in service and i got home and NO ONE HAD TAKEN MY CLOTHES OFF THE FLOOR WHEN THE WATER WAS GONE!!! So they grew mold in some spots and there are a few choice peices I would do anything to save, but have no idea how. A lot of it I am just replacing, but some of it means something to me and if theres a way to save it i'd like to try.

Answer 1

It is worth a try!!!

Take the mold stained clothing outside and brush it out, to prevent spores from spreading around your home. Clothing that has been stored in proximity to the mold stained clothing should also be taken out and aired, and wiping down the shelf, drawer, or closet where the clothing was kept with a mild bleach solution will kill any spores floating in that environment.

The next step is to leave the clothing in the sun to dry out, because heat and sunlight kill many varieties of mold. Hang the clothing from a clothes line so that it remains well ventilated and the sunlight falls evenly across most of the garment. Mold stains will likely still remain, because fungus discolors fabric.

Presoak the mold stains in cold water, and then wash hot or warm with detergent. Check the garment before putting it in the dryer to make sure that the mold stains are gone, and wash it again if necessary. Drying the garment in the sun to kill any remaining spores is advised. If the mold stains persist, blot the area with a mild bleach solution, if possible, and launder it again. For colored fabrics, use a lemon juice and salt solution and rinse with cold water immediately.

Answer 2

Baking soda with absorb musty smell. Did the same under small room under our stairs going to lower level. It works wonders. I use it to store Christmas decorations. It only took a short time for the baking soda to absorb the musty odor. Just put a small, uncovered bowl with baking soda in it and put in a corn out of the way. Let it sit for a few days and the odor should dissipate. I also us it under my kitchen sink cabinet. You can us the stuff for in hundreds of different ways. I also keep it under the kitchen cabinet in case of a fire. Can also use for cleaning sinks, toilets, you name it. It's an abrasive. Read the box and it will tell you all the things you can us baking soda for. You could limit many other products that you are now using around the house which will save you a lot of money. Baking soda is the cheapest and efficient way to go. You can pick up at any grocery store or $ store. It lasts a long time with odor control, but needs fresh bowl from time to time. You will know when it needs to be changed.

Answer 3

I can suggest this. First put your clothes in the sunlight. the sun kills of mold & mildew. Next pour fesh lemon juice over the stained area. again hang outside to dry in the sunlight, then wash on a normal wash. You can do the same with dry cleaning items. But add salt and lemon juice, wash down with a cold clear water & sponge

Answer 4

For whites, you can try bleach. For colors, I would try oxy clean and leave it to soak for a bit. The worst that can happen is they fade a little which isn't a problem if you have to get rid of them any way. Sunlight can also help.

Answer 5

You can't. They will have to be thrown away. Had an incident years ago where I found one of my favorite shirts in a ball in a corner of our wet basement, and I tried everything! So sorry!

Answer 6

Try washing with a solution of vinegar and baking soda. I know it will tak eout the cedar smell so I am sure it will work on mold.

Answer 7

Sorry, I´ve never managed it.

Answer 8

burn them