I was putting clothes away and I didn't realize I accidentally picked up some pieces of laundry that I wanted to air dry. These items were still really wet and the other clothes were completely dry (as I had dried them in the dryer). I went out of town for a few days and today when I opened the drawer I got hit with a HORRENDOUS scent - the smell of mold. I've put all the clothes into the washer since then, but there is still a scent of mold on them. Are the clothes ruined? Can I get the smell out? Help!
2007-09-18 07:19:58 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
For those who told me how to clean walls, I don't have mold anywhere in my house. It just got on some clothes that I had washed a few days ago. I have a rack for clothes and delicates that I air dry. Two items from that rack accidentally fell into a pile of my clothes that I dried by dryer and was putting into my drawer. I didn't realize they fell into the pile, so they got put into the drawer by mistake. When I opened the drawer several days later I realized some of them were growing mold. I rewashed EVERYTHING that was in the drawer today. Now that I have read responses and know how to get rid of the smell I will do that tonight!
2007-09-18 12:51:13 · update #1
You have several options. Wash them again adding borax or a cup of vinegar or baking soda to the load. You have to kill the mold spores which will reactivate with moisture. You can also spray them with DampRid Mold & Mildew Remover for fabrics or Lysol, both kill mold & their spores.
2007-09-18 07:26:34 · answer #1 · answered by eskie lover 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
There's no good news about mold:
It's irritating to healthy people and can be harmful, even lethal, to asthma sufferers or people with allergies or emphysema.
The smell is unpleasant and persistent.
It's not easy to clean.
It damages whatever it attaches to, so you may have to throw away whatever it was growing on.
It's usually a symptom of a moisture problem inside your home.
It may be a symptom of a drainage problem outside your home.
Clean first, with caution
Even though it may turn out to be a temporary measure, the first step is to clean away as much of the mold as you can. Before you do that, find a mask or respirator and an eye shield - otherwise you will be getting a heavy dose of the very spores that are causing your health problem.
For surfaces that can be washed, wash the area twice - first with ordinary soap and water, then with a commercial mildew cleaner or with 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach in one gallon of water.
Any affected wallboard will probably have to be replaced, but talk to a contractor first about whether you have a chronic moisture problem that needs to be dealt with. Otherwise, you may end up replacing it again.
If the walls are now clean, you may have to get rid of carpets and carpet backing.
A dehumidifier
You can buy a humidity meter at a drug store or online for less than $15 and test the affected space. If the relative humidity measures more than 50, get a dehumidifier.
A portable dehumidifier costs between $120 and $250, but in the long run it can save you the expense of replacing damaged items.
Do try to allow air to circulate. Avoid storing items against walls, especially exterior walls.
2007-09-18 14:34:08 · answer #2 · answered by alicias7768 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
put in the washer again with a box of baking soda and your normal detergent. Let agitate for several minutes and then let soak for an hour. Continue the wash cycle. In the final rinse, add a cup of white Vinegar to the load. This should take care of any odors left.
2007-09-18 14:29:29 · answer #3 · answered by Bill 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wash all the clothes again and put about 1 cup of white vinegar in the washer this will remove the scent and kill the mold.
2007-09-18 14:25:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes, add a cup of white vinegar in the final rinse. You may even want to let it soak for a few minutes before the final spin.:)
2007-09-18 14:26:00 · answer #5 · answered by Backwoods Barbie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Add vinegar to the rinse cycle.That will get the smell out.Then go spray out the drawer and let the fan dry it out....
2007-09-18 18:03:40 · answer #6 · answered by Maw-Maw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yucky!!
I would suggest washing with a bleach detergent for your laundry. Then using a good water proof product on your walls and things!!!
2007-09-18 14:50:46 · answer #7 · answered by Littlemiss74 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use white vinegar, but I heard that adding baking soda to the wash will also kill the odor.
2007-09-18 14:28:38 · answer #8 · answered by randy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are not ruined, but you need to rewash them. If you put in fabric conditioner that should help.
2007-09-18 14:25:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
use a nose plug!
2007-09-18 14:27:41 · answer #10 · answered by Creature 2 · 0⤊ 7⤋