Hi,
We moved to SC about a year ago and noticed my daughter's burp clothes/wash clothes etc. all seem to get what looks like little specks of black mold on them when I hang them up wet. I try to wash everything as soon as possible, but I still seem to get what looks like little black specks of mold(?) which don't seem to wash out despite multiple washes and strong detergents. It isn't bad now that it's cold, but when it's warm, it seems to happy so quickly. Don't know if it's the humidity, but we never had anything like this when we lived in the midwest.
Any recommendations? Anyone else notice this if you leave something wet out to dry in the house?!?
thanks
Borax and/or washing soda mixed together, add hot water, mix well. Apply or soak garments and then wash. The two items are mold inhibitors.
1/15/10
C..
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I am from Colorado.....never experienced anything like the mold and rust here. For wash and burp clothes I have found it is easiest to purchase white ones, cheaper in bulk, and BLEACH them. Hot water, detergent and bleach. Oxy clean will also work--but you really have to soak it. The black is mold, and it is bad for you and your family. I keep a separate bin for my wet wash and burp clothes and I bleach...because they will transfer wetness and mold to other clothes that you cannot bleach and they will be ruined. Also--you cannot store clothes here unless you have room in your house or closets. I have tried to store clean dry clothes in my basement in bins--like at home---and they have molded as well. Good luck! It is the humidity. ALSO watch for dust mites...something I did not get a dose of in Colorado, they do not like high altitudes....oh and the BUGS.....it is just a whole new experience and an adjustment!
Hi C.. We live in hot, humid Australia and I've never had this happen to wet or damp clothes hanging in the house. I've had this happen if I throw the damp clothes in the hamper for a few days and then go to do the laundry on the weekend. Once the spot is on there I haven't found anything that will get it out. After a wash and line dry in the sun the mould will be gone but the black spots remain. You could always bleach it I suppose?
Personally, I'd recommend replacing them if it's a possibility. Some molds are very harmful (aspergillis niger being one) and are difficult to ever completely remove.
Mildew, on the other hand, isn't as harmful but is difficult to get rid of.
See if you can find a local Mycologist (fungus specialist) who can identify your mold and tell you if you can get rid of it. Most fungi are nearly impossible to treat. Some can never be treated and removed (such as dry rot)
Good luck!
have you tried vinegar? try soaking it in there and scrubbing it out by hand, and then wash as usual
I've found if the bibs are wet from being used, you have to let them air dry before even washing them or placing them in a dirty laundry basket. If they are piled together in the laundry, then they will mildew. Good luck no matter what you do!
J.
Hi C. -let me know if you use soy formula. The reason I'm asking is that I live in Atlanta, and we have plenty of humidity, and I had this problem constantly with my youngest's bibs and anything else he spit up on or got formula on. I never had the problem with my first child who also used formula -but he used a milk-based formula. The second child used soy formula. I had to be EXTRA vigilant because if I even waited a day to wash, I had mildew on the bibs! I didn't have a problem with hanging to dry though. Unfortunately nothing got it out. I threw away a lot of stuff!
Hi! The "Today Show" had something about mold and mildew and how to clean certain items that had this on them. It was on this morning but I didn't catch the whole thing. Check out the Today Show site on NBC. I think the lady called herself the Accidental Housewife. Good luck.
I've lived in SC between Beaufort and Myrtle Beach for 5 years now and haven't experienced anything like that on any of the clothes that I air dry in the house. The only thing I've seen get moldy is one of my kids wash clothes that was balled up and lost behind the bathroom door on the floor. It did get funky and didn't wash out. The only thing I can think is your things are getting balled up while wet before washing maybe??? Have you tried a different room in the house to air dry?
We live in base housing in a old brick house so you'd think I'd really have problems! lol Unfortunately, mold in fabric doesn't wash out either. Now I have seen people's stroller get moldy just from sitting outside because of the humidity in the air here.
Good luck!
S.
