Mold and Mildew

One more suggestion...I had a fire in my home and was told to use one capuful of Listerine in the wash to get rid of the smoke odor which is notoriously difficult to do. I used the WalMart mouthwash and it worked great. I washed every washable thing in the house and it worked on everything. I did a couple of loads twice, but most were good after just one washing. I don't know what's in that stuff, but it's powerful and worked in a washing machine full of water! Good luck.

-- I've also had great luck with covering molded, smelly items (once I washed as clean as possible - ) with a nice new bag of cat litter -- put all - clothes or shoes- clean litter - into a clean trash bag - tie it closed--- leave for a day or two--- really absorbs the smell - and you can dig the ltter ( assumingyou have no cat) into the garden -

Blessings,
old Mom
aka- J.

To get smells out of clothes or anything I use a product called Odo-ban. It is sold by the gallon jug at Sams club. You can put it the wash or you can mix a spray bottle with water make it as strong as you like and use it in the house. It eats odors. It is wonderful. I have also found that Borax takes out odors. I know you found some other ways but still thought I would share this.

if you can actually see the mildew/mold growing on the cloth it is too late. they are only good for the trash. once those little black spots are growing they have taken over the fibers and if you get rid of that mildew or mold spot you will have a hole there. so if it is growing all over just chuck it. If it is the smell of mildew but not growing yet you can still save them by using borax in the wash and vinegar (distilled white) as your rinse agent. they will come out of the washer smelling like vinegar but by time they are dry they will just smell fresh and new.

In the future, you can use..

1 cup clorox 2(for colors)
1 cup powdered dishwasher soap
1 Gallon warm water

Soak the clothes overnight, mixing occasionaly, and then dump it all in the washer. I had a similar prob and this took it right out, it is also great for formula stains. Heck it gets almost everything out!

simple green and oxy clean used together takes out just about everything ! Be sure to dilute the simple green (or use the prediluted spraybottle). For mildew I soak for several hours tied up in a plastic bag. Then wash as usual

Dear M. D.,

I got on my computer rather late to be of any help for this time, but if you ever have something similar to this happen again, the dollar stores sell a product that really works well if you can catch it really soon after the mildew develops; "Greased Lightning". It costs nearly $4 for a 32 ounce bottle so I buy a half gallon of refill for about that same price. You saturate the clothing and allow it to set for a day or more and wash as usual. If that first time does not get all of it out, try again before the clothing goes into the dryer. Whatever you do, DO NOT put the clothing into the dryer because that will set the mildew in and make it more difficult to get it out.

L. C.

Add a cup of vinager to the wash with just those two things. Even let them soak for a while. I have used this mothod on a leather vest. And the mold was gone as well as the smell. Plus the vinager smell was gone too. Good luck **R.**

It depends on how badly they are damaged. If the mold has weakend the fibers or there are stains from the mildew they may be trash. However, if the main issue is smell, try washing them with a cup or two of vinegar in the wash. If that does not work, repeat it with 1 cup vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon tea tree oil. All it takes is a little TTO, you don't need a lot. The TTO smell will stay on the clothes out of the washer, but once you dry them it goes away. I use TTO in our wash every few loads in order to get the smell out of towels and washcloths. Since I got pregnant every wet towel smells like mildew to me.

Oxyclean and hot water will take the mildew smell out of most things. If I have something mildew I usually wash it once with detergent and oxyclean, no fabric softner and then wash it again adding fabric softner. You might give that a try.

Hi M.,
Oxyclean is the best for smells of any kind. The powder for the laundry, add at least one scoop with your regular detergent, takes out mold, urine, pet odors....and doesn't leave a cover up odor. Also works in carpeting.
Good luck,
SarahMM

Is this child 16, 18 or 22? Either way, he needs to take care of this. If he waited for weeks to unpack then he needs to suffer the consequences! This is not your responsibilty!

i would throw some baking soda in with the vinegar

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I've had some luck with mildew/mold on clothes by treating them with the Spray and Wash - Dual Power, the one with clear and pink liquids that combine when you spray. Sometimes I have had to leave it on the article for longer than the 5 minutes (like hours). If the items are colored then leaving it on longer it does pose the risk of bleaching it but if its throw away the item or save it what have you got to lose.

Hi M., glad you were able to save your son's shirt and pants. They're not cheap, I know!

If they still smell, try Borax with hot water. That always works for me.

If you don't mind them fading, the bleach will work. I never thought of vinegar. I'd try that first.

OOooh gross. Here's something you might try:
Dry in sun after moistening with lemon juice and salt.
Treat by adding 1/2 cup liquid Lysol to the wash water.
good luck. ann

That was just on MarthaStewart last week! She mentioned to wash in hot water, and even in boiling water!

I am not sure if you will be able to get the smell out, but often the black mold stains will remain even after the smell has gone.

When I bought my first car the guy hadn't cleaned out the trunk,(my bro got it for me) when I cleaned it out I found a good pair of cut off pants that he had in there with a little of mold and mildew on them. All I did was throw them in the washer and wash with a little clorex. Seemed to work just fine.I checked them to make sure all had been washed out again seemed to be.

I know you already responded to this question but I just have to say that I used a little bit of plain old bleach when I had stinky stuff. My 1 year old son drools alot and the rims of some of his shirts started to smell like a washcloth that has been wet for too long. It was gross so all I did was put in just a little bit of bleach (not even 1/4 cup) and let the water fill the washer a little bit before I put the clothes in to dilute the bleach then I threw the clothes in. It didn't damage the colors or anything. The worse thing it might do is maybe fade them a tiny bit but I didn't even notice that. Took the smell right out and I only had to do it the one time.

Glad u had success, now you may want to splash it with fabulosa and let it stand. Then after rinsing you may want to take a rag with some wd 40 and rub it down slightly.

also you may want to take and soak a small rag with fabuloso and hang it, if possible oh the pipe that comes out to the shower head.

Congrats on yr success

Hi M.,
Have you tried the tide pens? They have 2 different kinds. Sometimes you can soak the items in hairspray and water to remove the unwanted mold. I knew someone who used a can of mountain dew but not a typical response. Thank you for sharing Glad to hear from you.
C.

try diluted amonia. Experiment and see how strong you need to get the clothes clean.

Hey I know I am alittle late for this tip, you can also use Lysol cleaner you know the stuff for mopping the floor. you just use a cap full in the laundry when anyone is sick or you need to sanatize something so if you need try that too. Good luck, M.