Mold on fabric not only smells bad, but can also stain the garment or item you find it on. The mold itself is often green, black, gray, or white, and it can easily spread from clothing, towels, and upholstery if they aren’t aired out properly. The more time mold spends on a fabric, the more difficult it can be to get rid of its stains.
Learning how to get mold out of fabric starts with treating the affected material appropriately rather than simply covering the odor with detergent or fabric spray. The correct solution will vary based on the fabric, extent of the growth, if the item can be machine washed and the fabric is able to stand up to the cleaning solution. With machine washable clothing and home textiles, washing, pretreating, rinsing and drying completely go a long way. For fragile or contaminated, or expensive textiles there may be a different solution. And just as important, fix the moisture problem that is causing the mold to flourish in the first place or the odor and growth will come right back.
What Happens When Mold Grows on Fabric?
Clothing Mold A kind of fungi, mold can be to grow when humidity and oxygen need, and there’s something to feed on. Fabrics become a landing strip for mold spores, which love to hang out on damp surfaces that provide a nice place to thrive.
For example, anything that’s been left in the washing machine, bath towels in a hamper, curtains that get continually damp, or musty upholstery from a leak.
Mold can produce several noticeable signs:
- Musty or earthy odors
- Dark, green, gray, or whitish spots
- Discoloration that remains after washing
- A damp feeling or appearance
- Repeated odor after the fabric dries
Mold staining and mold growth aren’t the same. You may wipe away a mold stain and odor with cleaning but leave the stain, and you may find that what looks like a mold stain is no longer growing.
This is important because often times, aggressive scrubbing or harsher chemicals aren’t the solution. You want to gently clean the material and preserve the fibers as much as possible.
Why Does Mold Grow on Clothing and Other Textiles?
Moisture is usually the central problem when dealing with excess indoor humidity. Fabric can retain water inside its fibers, creating conditions that allow fungal growth if it is not dried promptly.
Several situations can contribute to the problem.
Damp laundry left unattended
A load of wet clothes forgotten inside a washer can develop a strong musty odor. If the fabric remains wet long enough, mold or mildew may become an issue.
Poor ventilation
Bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and enclosed closets can have higher humidity and limited airflow. Towels and clothing stored in these environments may not dry completely.
Water damage
A leaking roof, plumbing problem, flooding, or spilled liquid can leave upholstery, curtains, carpets, and other fabrics damp.
Improper storage
Putting clothes away while they are even slightly damp can trap moisture between layers. Over time, that can create an environment where mold can grow.
Humid storage spaces
Garages, storage units, basements, and closets may have humidity problems that are not immediately obvious. A clean fabric item can develop mold after being stored for an extended period under these conditions.
Removing visible mold without addressing the moisture source is often only a temporary solution.
Before Cleaning Moldy Fabric
Consider the item. Before you begin, give the item a once-over.
Notice the washing instructions. Note the temperature range, if there is a warning about the potential effect of bleach, or if dry cleaning is indicated.
Are you dealing with a light coating of mold on a removable piece of cotton clothing, or is mold covering a large, heavy upholstered cushion? The latter may be more difficult to remove at home.
If you’re dealing with a large area of mold, don’t attempt to shake off or brush the mold outdoors, where the particles can become airborne and be inhaled.
For washed fabrics, take them out of the contaminated area for cleaning, and avoid bringing contaminated fabric into your clean zone.
People with serious allergies, asthma, compromised immune systems, or health concerns may choose not to handle large amounts of mold and should consult their health care provider or refer to allergy and mold information.
How to Get Mold Out of Fabric Step by Step
For washable fabrics that are only moderately affected, a careful cleaning process can help remove mold, odor, and residue.
1. Take the fabric outside or to a suitable cleaning area
If practical, handle visibly moldy fabric in an area with good ventilation. Avoid shaking the item unnecessarily.
The purpose is to prevent loose particles and musty debris from spreading throughout your living space.
2. Check the care instructions
Before choosing a cleaning solution, read the manufacturer’s instructions.
Cotton, polyester, linen, wool, silk, and synthetic blends do not all respond the same way to cleaning chemicals or high temperatures.
If the label says “dry clean only,” do not automatically soak the garment in a homemade solution. A professional cleaner can determine the most appropriate treatment.
3. Remove loose surface material carefully
If there is visible residue on the surface, gently remove what you can without aggressively brushing the fabric.
For clothing, shaking or brushing indoors can spread contamination to nearby surfaces. Work carefully and avoid unnecessary handling.
4. Pretreat the affected area
Liquid laundry soap can be rubbed into many washable fabrics, then rinsed and washed. Diluted white vinegar is a popular household choice and may be effective for musty smells, although it will not work for every fabric or situation. Always test any solution in an inconspicuous place before attempting to do a treatment on a visible area. Make sure to observe the fabric to determine if the color or texture is beginning to change.
5. Wash according to the care label
Wash the garment in the warmest water allowed by the manufacturer.Launder with a good quality detergent suitable for the fabric. The washing process removes any remaining mould residue, organic matter and any source of bad smell.
Don’t select the highest possible temperature simply for the sake of it as high temperatures may be damaging to some fabrics or they may cause shrinkage.
6. Consider a compatible laundry additive
For some white or bleach-safe fabrics, chlorine bleach may be appropriate if the care label permits it. Oxygen-based laundry products may be another option for suitable washable materials.
Never assume a product is safe simply because it works on another garment. Read the product label and the fabric-care instructions.
Never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other incompatible cleaning products. Dangerous fumes can result.
7. Inspect the fabric before drying
After washing, check the item carefully.
If the musty odor or visible residue remains, repeating an appropriate cleaning cycle may be better than immediately putting the fabric into a dryer.
Heat can make certain stains more difficult to remove and can also damage fabrics that require gentle fabric care.
8. Dry the fabric completely
Thorough drying is one of the most important parts of the process.
Sunlight and fresh air can be useful for suitable fabrics, provided the material can tolerate outdoor drying. Otherwise, follow the drying method recommended on the care label.
Do not fold or store the item while it is still damp.
Can Vinegar Remove Mold From Fabric?
Vinegar for musty clothes White vinegar often makes an appearance in many home cleaning recipes and cleaning ingredients for musty garments.
It can help to deodorize smelly substances and can possibly help to clean certain washable materials. For fabrics that are safe to handle, a weak solution of vinegar can be applied as a pretreatment or used in a wash cycle. The strength and method will depend on the material being cleaned and in accordance with guidelines from the manufacturer.
Not all molds can be treated with vinegar though. It should not be used with the expectation that mold is entirely gone.
Never mix vinegar with bleach. If you are not sure about the material it is best to test a small hidden section or use a commercially available product that is safe for the fabric.
Can Bleach Be Used on Moldy Fabric?
Bleach can be used on some washable, bleach-safe items, such as white fabrics. However, it is not suitable for all types of fabric.Color clothing, fine textiles, wool, silk, and items with special finishes may be damaged or discolored by chlorine bleach.
Always read and follow the instructions printed on the garment’s care label and those printed on the bleach manufacturer’s label.
If bleach is permitted, follow the product label instructions precisely. Never use more bleach than the amount suggested, because additional bleach is ineffective and overuse can weaken fibers and even discolor garments. For colored items, a suitable oxygen-based product labeled for colorfastness may work. It should be tested first with care label instructions.
How to Remove the Musty Smell After Cleaning
Here’s a scenario: The mold goes away, but the smell lingers.
This situation can occur when the odor-creating residue has penetrated fabric, or if moisture has become trapped inside of heavy material.
First, wash the article again – if it’s safe to do so – selecting a detergent appropriate for the fabric and rinsing thoroughly.
An odor-fighting laundry additive can be an option for washable fabric that can withstand it, and fresh air and sunshine will also do the trick.
If the pungent smell recurs shortly after cleanup, then the area where the article was stored might be the culprit. Returning the item to a damp closet, basement, dusty factory-style hemper, or tarnished leather or textiles could make little difference if the source of the problem is still visible (or less than visibly problematic).
What About Mold on Upholstery, Curtains, or Delicate Fabric?
Clothing and washable towels are fairly simple: you can generally just throw them in the washing machine. Other items such as furniture upholstery and more delicate fabrics require more care. With fabric furniture, first verify that the material actually is safe to wash with water; excessive moisture can seep into cushions and padding, making the humid problem worse.
Never drench a piece of furniture just because it appears moldy on the surface.
An article of clothing in delicate fabric such as silk, wool, vintage, leather look-a-like, or high dollar garments or personal keepsakes is best cleaned by professionals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Putting moldy clothing directly into the dryer
Drying without cleaning first may leave stains and odors behind, and heat can complicate stain removal.
Using too much detergent
Using more detergent does not automatically produce better results.Excess residue can remain in fabric and may interfere with rinsing.
Scrubbing aggressively
Hard brushing can damage fibers and spread contaminated material.
Mixing cleaning chemicals
This is one of the most serious mistakes to avoid.Never combine bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other products unless the manufacturer explicitly states that the combination is safe.
Ignoring the moisture source
A cleaned garment can become moldy again if it is stored somewhere damp.
Treating every dark spot as mold
Discoloration can have many causes. Applying increasingly aggressive chemicals to an unknown stain can damage the material without solving the actual problem.
Using a household remedy without checking the fabric
A treatment that works reasonably well on cotton may be unsuitable for silk or wool. Fabric care instructions should guide the cleaning method.
When Should You Throw the Fabric Away?
Not all contaminated material requires disposal. Washable clothing and other water-washable items may be saved if mold contamination is limited and the material can be properly cleaned. Replacement will be a more practical consideration if the fabric is heavily contaminated, severely damaged, subject to frequent mold growth, or cannot be easily cleaned.
Other soft, porous materials can be difficult to clean or restore once contamination has penetrated the material.
If an item has high sentimental or monetary value it might be worth professional evaluation rather than treating the item with increasingly strong solutions.
How to Prevent Mold From Returning
Clean away more than half the battle, as humidity is present in most cases. The most practical long-term solution is to make mold and air moisture under control.
Dry wet towels as much as you can, instead of piling them up. Take out the wet laundry from the washing machine as soon as possible and make sure that they are getting dry before storing.
Do not overload the closet so that a good circulation of air is possible. Check humidity and ventilation if an area seem consistently damp, instead of just washing the same piece of cloths repeatedly.
Other useful habits for proper clothing care include:
- Drying clothing completely before folding it
- Cleaning and drying laundry hampers regularly
- Improving airflow in humid rooms
- Addressing plumbing or roof leaks promptly
- Keeping damp fabrics away from clean, dry textiles
- Checking stored seasonal clothing periodically
- Avoiding long-term storage of damp towels or clothes
If mold keeps appearing in the same room or on multiple unrelated items, the fabric may not be the real source of the problem. There could be excessive indoor humidity, condensation, a hidden leak, or another moisture issue that needs attention.
When Professional Cleaning Is the Better Choice
Professional cleaning makes sense if the material is precious, fragile, heavily contaminated or cannot be safely cleaned at home. A professional cleaner may be able to tell you what kind of fabric you have, and can offer you a solution that will cause less damage to your item. If a home has extensive mold growth, for example after a water event, there may be a bigger issue than individual fabrics: That home may need professional mold remediation or building assessment. If the mold is widespread enough that cleaning the fabrics will cause you to be exposed to significant amounts of mold, back up rather than use increasingly aggressive household chemicals.
Final Takeaway
Knowing how to get mold out of fabric is mostly about matching the cleaning method to the material. For washable textiles, start by checking the care label, gently removing surface contamination, pretreating when appropriate, washing thoroughly, and drying the fabric completely. Vinegar, bleach, or oxygen-based products may have a place in some situations, but they should never be used without considering fabric compatibility and product directions.
A persistent, musty smell is a warning sign. Mold could be hiding in the storage or laundry area, the furniture, or even inside the building. When items are fragile, expensive, extremely contaminated, or difficult to clean, it’s best to turn to professional services.
FAQs
1.Can mold be removed from fabric?
Yes, mold can sometimes be removed from washable fabric by pretreating the affected area, washing it according to the care label, and drying it completely. The success of the process depends on the type of fabric, how extensive the growth is, and how long the mold has been present.
2.What is the best way to get mold out of clothes?
Start by checking the care label and handling the affected clothing carefully. Pretreat the area with a fabric-safe cleaning method, then wash the garment using the warmest setting permitted by the label. Inspect it before drying, and repeat the cleaning process if necessary. Make sure the clothing dries completely before storage.
3.Does vinegar kill mold on fabric?
White vinegar may help with musty odors and can be useful for cleaning some washable fabrics, but it should not be considered a universal solution for mold contamination. Always check the fabric-care instructions and test a small hidden area first. Never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach because the combination can produce hazardous fumes.
4.Can I use bleach on moldy fabric?
Bleach can be appropriate for some white, bleach-safe fabrics, but it can damage colored or delicate materials. Check both the garment’s care label and the bleach product instructions before using it. Never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other incompatible cleaning products.
5.Why does my fabric still smell musty after washing?
A musty smell may remain if mold-related residue is still present, the fabric has not dried completely, or the surrounding storage area has excess moisture. Rewash the item using a suitable method and dry it thoroughly. If the odor repeatedly returns, inspect the closet, laundry area, hamper, or other location where the fabric is stored.
6.Should I throw away fabric with mold on it?
Not necessarily. Washable, durable fabrics with limited contamination can often be cleaned successfully. An item may be better discarded if it has extensive growth, severe damage, repeated contamination, or cannot be cleaned adequately. Valuable or delicate textiles may be worth taking to a professional cleaner instead.
7.How do I prevent mold from growing on fabric again?
The most effective prevention step is controlling moisture. Dry clothing and towels completely before storing them, remove wet laundry from the washer promptly, maintain airflow in closets, and address leaks or persistent humidity. If several fabrics repeatedly develop mold, investigate the room or storage area for an underlying moisture problem.
8.Can mold be removed from upholstered furniture?
It can be more difficult than cleaning washable clothing because moisture can penetrate upholstery and padding. Avoid heavily saturating cushions or furniture unless the material is specifically designed for that treatment. For extensive growth, valuable furniture, or persistent moisture problems, professional cleaning or remediation may be more appropriate.
Conclusion
Learning how to get mold out of fabric starts with identifying the material and choosing a cleaning method that will not damage it. Washable fabrics can often be treated by carefully removing surface contamination, using an appropriate pretreatment, washing according to the care label, and drying thoroughly. Vinegar or bleach may be suitable in specific circumstances, but neither should be used blindly, and cleaning products should never be mixed improperly.
If the musty smell or mold returns, check the space or storage area to make sure air is circulating and it’s not too damp. If the fabric is sensitive, clean it and remove the mold as best you can, but save the delicate or expensive items for professional restoration. Proper cleaning and good moisture control are your best solutions.
