Is it possible to wash mold out of clothing or am I better off to throw it away...sigh. I hung my son's winter jacket up in our basement along with a few other things last spring, the sleeve is now covered in black mold spots (I'm assuming from food.) I know it's from all the humidity/moisture. I always put things in plastic bins but for some reason just hung the jacket up. I washed it in hot water and it still smells musty and has the black stains...is there a way to get it out or is it ruined. I'm so mad at myself because it's a nice jacket and still fits him.
Thanks for the responses. I'm going to try using bleach and see if that works. If not, maybe the vinegar can at least get the smell out so it can be salvaged as a play coat. Lesson learned.
Using a cup or so of vinegar in the wash will get the smell out, but not the spots. Maybe keep it as a play jacket for when he wants to go sledding or get filthy?? Wish I could be more help.
If it is going to the trash if it soesn't work then try washing it in the washer again but add some bleach to the water before adding the clothes. I wash everything light colored with bleach in the water. I also add some bleach to the water if the dark's are musty smelling. I don't have any spots or any sign that I use bleach in the water.
You start the water, add the detergent, then add a bit of bleach. For dark's it's no more that 1/4 cup. Let the water continue filling a bit then add the clothes. It never lets me down. I would never use this if I had something red in the water though. Red can't help it with fading. Red just fades.
I have tried everything. Honestly, nothing works.
I have tried liquid bleach, bleach pens, white vinegar, soaking for days in Oxy clean, or baking soda, or fizzy water, and hanging in the sun with all the above remedies. I honestly came to the belief that I was a failed alchemist in a former life because I was so darn insistent that something had to work, given the right combination.
Wrong. And what a phenomenal waste of time and $$ it was.
Ditto Patty K. Sorry about the nice coat, now a goner. Just be sure to remember this lesson for the next several winters.
Consider it a loss. Toss it.
doesn't bleach get rid of mold? i'm not sure how well that would work on his jacket, though. might be worth a try before tossing it.
I have tried....and failed. Even bleach. I ended up throwing out. Let me know if you find something that works!
This probably won't help you now, but in the future be sure to wash winter clothing at the end of the winter because the heat of the summer will reveal food stains, etc. which you did not realize were there. The food stains will probably either just become permanent, or, such as in your case, they may mold. I too learned this the hard way!
I'm a great fan of dehumidifiers for summer use in damp areas. They are not cheap, but are worth every penny!
I spray vinegar directly on the spots.
