Do not believe the claims that it is impossible to remove mold, do not rush to get rid of clothes that have dark spots. Things can be saved if you know how to properly process the fabric. Try to spot the problem early on. The longer fungi develop on matter, the more difficult it will be to deal with dirt and odor. Shake up and review all the things from time to time, especially those that you haven't used for a long time.
What to do if mold has settled on your favorite clothes?
Small mildew spots can be removed at home. But, if dirty gray stains have firmly settled on your favorite cashmere jumper or sturdy winter coat, then independent experiments to get rid of the harmful fungus are highly undesirable... In this case, you can completely ruin the thing.
If you do not know how to remove mold from clothes so that they do not lose their functionality and appearance,
contact the dry cleaning service... However, if the fungus has firmly "eaten" into the structure of the fabric, and it begins to creep into fibers, then the dry cleaner may refuse to serve you. In this case, there is only one way out - to throw the thing away.
Domestos
Domestos is a well-known cleaning agent that helps get rid of stains on cotton fabrics. However, Domestos is an aggressive household chemical, and therefore can only be used in a diluted form.
For 1 tablespoon of Domestos, you need half a liter of water. This proportion must be strictly observed, since the composition of the cleaning agent contains active chlorine, which can damage the fabric. Bring the resulting liquid to a boil over low heat, and immerse an infected wardrobe item in boiling water. The mold spots should be gone after a few minutes.
General tips for removing mold from clothing
Before trying to remove the fungus on your clothes yourself, it is worth protecting the skin of the hands and respiratory tract from mold spores and the aggressive effects of components that make up industrial products. Normal rubber gloves and a disposable medical mask will work. Processing is best done outdoors. (in urban settings, you can go to the balcony).
- Provide fresh air to the room if you plan to sanitize bulky or heavy items of clothing that cannot be taken out onto the balcony. You also need to open a window or window if you decide to get rid of mold in the closet or other places where clothes are stored.
- First, clean the item with a brush or just with your hands. Shake off the mold from both sides of the garment: front and back. After that, you can proceed to further processing.
Never apply an anti-mold drug to an item without reading the instructions for use.... If you decide to use a homemade product according to folk recipes, first check its effect on an inconspicuous area of the fabric on the wrong side.
- Small specks of white mold can be washed by hand or in the washing machine. Black mold is difficult to remove and may need to be washed several times.Laundry soap shavings or an industrial stain remover (bleach) can be added to the detergent. If the fabric lends itself to boiling, be sure to use this property: mold does not tolerate high temperatures.
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Ammonia
You can get rid of stains and musty odors on your linen with ammonia. However, a test is carried out before use to understand how the dye and material will behave. If, after applying alcohol to a small area of the fabric, there are no traces left on it, then you can act on the spots themselves.
A cotton swab is moistened with ammonia and the area affected by rot is treated. Alcohol is left on things for twenty minutes. After the specified amount of time, ammonia should be applied again, and then rinsed with clean water.
If after the result is incomplete, then the procedure can be repeated again.
How can you remove dirt from clothes
The problem of how to remove mold from clothes at home only seems difficult. In fact, there are many ways in which slightly damaged clothing can be repaired. Here are some of the more popular household remedies to help get rid of mold spots:
Bleaches
Use household bleach to remove mold from clothing. First, you need to determine the type of fabric with which you want to reduce stains.
- Chlorine-containing bleaches ("Whiteness", "Domestos") affect the color and strength of the materialtherefore they can only be used on cotton and linen light-colored fabrics.
- Oxygenated bleaches (Vanish, Boss) are suitable for most types of fabrics, including wool, silk, delicate and colored fabrics, but have a less pronounced whitening effect.
When using chlorine bleach, the washing temperature should not exceed 50 ° C. Oxygenated products perform better at higher temperatures.
- Removing stains from hand wash it is best to start by soaking contaminated clothing in bleach... Read the instructions for the stain remover carefully. Observe the dosage recommended by the manufacturer, select the correct temperature regime. A prerequisite for hand washing with bleach is a final rinse with multiple water changes.
- Machine washing soiled laundry requires a slightly different approach. Do not use concentrated chlorine bleach in the washing machine! First, it must be diluted with water in a separate container, and only then added to the laundry. Oxygenated bleaches are generally available in powder form that can be conveniently added to the washing machine tray to the detergent. Remember to follow the dosage. Wash is carried out as usual for the particular fabric.
Video: Removing mold from fabrics.
Bura
Borax (boric acid salt) will help remove mold on clothes. How to get rid of unsightly stains with this mineral? Buru can be used alone or in combination with washing powder... Pre-borax is dissolved in hot water. In the resulting solution, you need to soak the thing for several hours, then wash and rinse well.
A strong borax solution can be added to the drum of the washing machine when loading laundry, and then start the normal wash program.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is a great help in fighting mold stains on clothes. A greater effect can be achieved by mixing the juice of this citrus with table salt.... The resulting mixture should be applied to the stain and allowed to dry well. Then wash your clothes in the usual way.
Vinegar
Vinegar is the leading home remedy for mold due to its high effectiveness in fighting mold.Vinegar helps to remove the characteristic damp and rotten odor that is usually difficult to remove.
To eliminate mold stains, it is necessary to dilute 1 cup (200 g) of table vinegar (6-9%) in 10 liters of water and soak the thing in the resulting solution for 1-1.5 hours. After soaking, wash clothes with the addition of detergent by hand or in the washing machine.
Soda
Baking soda is a proven remedy for fighting fungus. With the help of it, you can not only destroy stains on clothes, but also get rid of mold in the closet or other places where clothes are stored. Usually, soda is diluted with hot water to a thick slurry, then applied to the affected areas and left for 30-60 minutes. After the thing is washed (the furniture is thoroughly wiped) and dried well.
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Turpentine
The advantage of turpentine over other folk remedies for fungus is that it can be applied even to delicate delicate fabrics... With a cotton swab dipped in turpentine, you need to carefully walk over the affected areas. Then sprinkle the treated areas with talcum powder or dry clay, cover with a paper towel and iron the clothes with an iron. After that, you need to wash the thing in the usual way.
Laundry soap
Laundry soap has a high disinfecting ability and removes most types of stains well.
How do you get mold off your clothes with this affordable product? First, you should wet the fabric, then rub it well with soap and leave for 30-60 minutes. After that, the clothes should be washed in soapy water and dried well.
a piece of chalk
Regular office chalk is also good for removing mold stains from clothes. It should be finely crumbled, then applied to the stain, cover the area to be treated with a paper napkin and iron it with an iron. Then wash the item as usual.
Alcohol and alcohol solutions (ammonia, boric acid)
Alcohol and alcohol solutions help to get rid of even old mold stains... But remember that you first need to test the action of the product on an inconspicuous area of clothing.
- Ammonia (ammonia solution) must be diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio.
- Boric alcohol can be used without prior dilution.
With a cotton swab dipped in an alcohol solution, you need to carefully treat the stain, let it stand for 10-20 minutes, then thoroughly rinse and wash the thing.
Video: Affordable Folk Remedies for Mold Control
Peroxide
Use hydrogen peroxide to remove black mold from household items and children's clothing. Liquid peroxide is also commercially available in tablet form. It is better to use the liquid version, since you can dose the amount of the active substance yourself.
To kill moldiness, mix hydrogen peroxide with half a liter of water and pour the liquid over a cloth. Leave for 20-30 minutes, then rinse things in cold water and machine wash, choosing a low temperature regime.
This method is gentle on objects, and therefore, if it was not possible to get rid of the mycelium the first time, then the procedure with peroxide can be done again.
Tips for removing stains from different types of fabrics
Before trying to remove mold from clothes with the help of available tools, you should read the rules for washing different types of fabrics... So, some types of materials can be boiled, others can only be washed by hand at a temperature not exceeding 30˚С. Some fabrics withstand the effects of aggressive chemical components, while others do not.
Silk and wool
Silk and woolen materials require very careful handling. Aggressive washing and boiling will permanently ruin delicate fabrics... Therefore, they are washed by hand or in the washing machine by selecting the "delicate wash" mode.
It is best to use turpentine to remove mold stains from these fabrics.
Linen, cotton, calico, satin
Linen, cotton, coarse calico, satin tolerate a large number of washings without shrinkage and damage. They can be boiled if necessary. The exception is dyed fabrics, which should not be washed at temperatures above 60 ° C due to the fact that they can fade.
- To remove mold from white materials, you can use all types of bleaches, soda, laundry soap, alcohol (ammonia, boric), lemon juice and vinegar.
- To remove traces of fungus from colored fabrics, it is better to use crumbs of office chalk or vinegar.
Synthetics
Synthetic fabrics have increased wear resistance, they can be washed frequently (the water temperature should be no more than 30-40 ° C). Remove mold from polyester and other synthetic garments ammonia will help.
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Leather
Leather clothing and shoes affected by the fungus return to their original appearance a solution of ordinary edible alcohol with water in a 1: 1 ratio will help... To do this, it is enough to wipe the thing several times with a cloth soaked in the solution.
Why does mold appear in the closet and how to get it out?
Mold can "live" not only in clothes, but also in linen and wardrobes. A harmful fungus can quickly spread from clothing to furniture, occupying all the territory available to it. A dark closet densely packed with things is a good haven for microorganisms... How to get rid of mold in the closet on your own?
If the cabinet is old and it is not a pity to throw it away, then it is best to do so in order not to endanger the neighboring pieces of furniture from the fungus infection.
In the event that getting rid of an interior item is not included in your plans, you need to sanitize it as soon as possible.
- First you need to free the closet from clothes and shoes.
- Then move the cabinet away from the wall so that you can inspect it from all sides. Often, mold affects the part of the wall against which the closet is pressed close.
- Next, you need to get rid of the mold in the closet mechanically: clean off the dirty spots, shake it off with some suitable tool (spatula, knife, ordinary damp cloth).
- All surfaces and elements of the cabinet (shelves, drawers, doors) you need to wipe with table vinegar or a strong solution of soda... Dry the cabinet with the doors open for two days.
- If the household has a household germicidal irradiator, then it can be used to disinfect the cabinet from the inside. This will not give a chance of survival to even the smallest spores that can huddle in corners and other inaccessible places.
After this treatment, you can lay out clothes and shoes in their places. Do not fill the closet tightly with things - this can provoke the re-growth of mold.
Reasons for the appearance
It is known that high humidity, dampness and mold are synonyms. In rooms with poor ventilation, on the first floors of houses, they are firsthand familiar with characteristic black spots.
But seeing this in their wardrobe, many will be amazed. The main reasons for the trouble are as follows:
- favorable temperature conditions;
- humidity.
From the accumulated sad experience, it is known that mold appears on the fabric if things are poorly dried. It would seem that it is worth making it a rule to put dry clothes on the shelves, in the closet, and the problem can be considered solved. Unfortunately, this is not so. The neighborhood of dirty and clean things leads to the development of mold everywhere. The musty, unventilated microclimate of the wardrobe, pencil case will also inevitably lead to an unwanted neighborhood. But the main reasons lie in the careless attitude of the owners to the wearable things, shoes.
Preventing the appearance of mold on clothes and storage areas
Watch the video on what you need to know about mold. Below we have described preventive measures.
After you have managed to remove the mold from your clothes, you need to try so that it does not reappear on your favorite things. To do this, it is enough to observe the precautions:
- Add bleach or laundry soap to the detergent from time to time when washing.
- Dry clothes completely before storing them.
- After washing, iron the clothes: the high temperature kills the smallest spores of the fungus.
- Periodically disassemble the contents of cabinets and ventilate clothing.
Store clean clothes and items that are worn on a daily basis separately.
- Outerwear, boots, boots, shoes should be periodically dried in the fresh air in clear sunny weather (but not exposed to direct sunlight).
- Keep wardrobes and linen closets clean, and from time to time treat them from the inside with a weak vinegar solution or industrial anti-mold products.
- Monitor the humidity level in the room where the clothes are stored. Frequent airing will help get rid of excess moisture in rooms.
These simple tips will help you keep your brains on how to get mildew out of your clothes.
Varieties
There are a huge number of molds. Some of them are used in food production, for example, in the manufacture of cheeses or the maturation of certain types of wine, antibiotics are obtained from penicillus. The overwhelming majority of putrefactive fungi are destructive both for materials of biological origin and those created artificially. Despite the fact that mold spores are constantly present in the environment, fungi do not always develop. For this, suitable conditions are needed, with the coincidence of which their growth begins:
- high humidity;
- lack of air circulation;
- lack of direct sunlight or ultraviolet radiation, if the use of "blue" lamps is implied. Mold grows well in low-light areas;
- the presence of a nutrient medium for the growth and development of mycelium.
If you periodically put damp things in the closet or hang undried outerwear, then very soon you can feel the characteristic sour smell of mold. The same goes for sweat-soaked shoes and socks. In addition, mold can grow in the closet due to the general contamination of the entire apartment with it, for example, with flowing pipes, broken waterproofing of the ceiling / floor, or due to constant high humidity due to weather conditions. This happens when the house is located near a body of water, especially in hot climates.
