When textiles are exposed to dampness for too long, in a cellar, laundry basket, attic or damp room, it’s possible for mildew stains to form. When this happens, a simple machine wash doesn’t always get rid of the problem. But it doesn’t mean that your laundry has to go to waste. Here’s how to remove these stubborn stains with some practical advice.
With a few effective tips, you can remove all traces of mildew from any textile. Simple and inexpensive, the task is not impossible: here are the best tips for restoring the shine to textiles.
Why does mildew appear on clothes?
Mildew on clothing is often caused by ambient humidity, which encourages the proliferation of mold spores on textiles. Even carefully stored clothes can be attacked by mold due to persistent dampness. Mold stains often appear in damp environments such as cellars, attics or poorly ventilated rooms. A proper machine wash can often be effective in removing mildew stains, but it’s crucial to check the maximum washing temperature allowed for each type of fabric to avoid damaging textiles.
How can I prevent mildew?
To prevent the appearance of mold on your clothes and textiles, it’s essential to combat humidity. Ventilate rooms and furniture, especially storage cupboards. Avoid storing damp clothes, even if they’re just wet with sweat. Dry them in the sun before storing them in a closet or hamper. For freshly washed clothes, make sure they go through an efficient spin cycle. If machine-drying isn’t enough, let the fabric air-dry to prevent moisture build-up.
1 – Bleach
The use of bleach is well known for textile care and for removing mildew stains. But only light-colored textiles are affected.
Bleach can be used to disinfect and whiten linen and fabrics. Whether for household linen or white clothing, it’s perfectly possible to use bleach to eliminate mildew.
Simply dilute bleach with a little clear water to obtain the perfect solution for removing mildew stains from textiles. Depending on the size of the job, you can soak a cotton pad in the solution and apply it directly to the mildew stain. However, if the mildew stains are very serious, it’s best to use the same solution in a basin, so that you can immerse the laundry in it.
In general, it takes no more than 2 hours for all mildew stains to disappear. After soaking, the laundry or garment can be machine-washed on a normal cycle.
Good to know: bleach is fairly aggressive on the skin. It’s best to handle it with gloves.
2 – Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching and disinfecting product that easily removes mildew stains. Again, this product can only be used on white garments.
To use it, simply soak a clean cloth in the product and dab at the mildew stains until they disappear completely. Finally, place the fabric in the washing machine on a conventional cycle to remove stains and odors.
3 – Ammonia
Ammonia is another highly effective product for effortlessly removing mildew stains from fabric. Here, the techniques are the same as those explained above. Simply soak a clean cloth and pat the mildew stain until it disappears completely.
Ammonia is a powerful and volatile product. That’s why it’s important to wear gloves when using this type of product, and preferably a mask to avoid breathing its fumes. Don’t forget natural ventilation by opening windows or, if you can, standing on a terrace, balcony or other ventilated area to avoid any risk. After rinsing with clean water, your laundry will be as good as new.
4 – White vinegar
White vinegar is an absolute must-have at home, as it has so many uses. Mold and mildew stains are no match for effective cleaning with white vinegar. What’s more, white vinegar is a deodorizing product that eliminates musty odors that often develop with the appearance of mildew.
To use it in this situation, dilute a glass of vinegar with a liter of water (doubling or tripling the dose according to the quantity of laundry). Then soak the mildew-stained laundry in the vinegar for at least two hours before putting it in the washing machine to remove the stain and mildew odour.
If stains prove stubborn, don’t hesitate to repeat the operation until the stain has completely disappeared from the clothes or fabrics. It’s a simple, economical method that doesn’t require much effort!
5 – Lemon juice
The special composition of lemon juice enables it to sanitize laundry in the presence of mildew. To use it effectively, make a paste from lemon juice and salt. All that’s left to do is apply the paste to the stains and leave for around 1 hour. The laundry can then be put in the washing machine on a conventional cycle.
Note that while this technique is perfect for cotton or polyester, it should not be used on delicate fibers such as silk or wool. You can also use this method to clean cushions, especially those likely to be affected by humidity.
6 – Turpentine oil
Turpentine is particularly suitable for removing mildew stains from leather. It’s easy to apply: simply soak a clean cloth in the product and dab on the mildew stains. After a few minutes, the stains should be gone. Turpentine can also be used as an alternative to dry cleaning for delicate fabrics.
7 – Baking soda
Baking soda is a natural product that can be used just about anywhere in the home, and we all have it in our cupboards. Unsurprisingly, it can also be used to remove mildew stains from laundry. To boost its scaling and sanitizing qualities, it can be used in synergy with vinegar.
To do this, simply create a paste with bicarbonate and a little vinegar directly on the stains. This creates a chemical reaction that dislodges mildew from textile fibers. Take the opportunity to scrub the clothes with a brush or toothbrush before putting them in the washing machine. For T-shirts, leaving to dry in the sun can help remove stains, but beware of the risk of discoloration for delicate fabrics.
8 – Sommières earth
This clay powder is effective as a dry stain remover. Simply sprinkle over the area in question and leave for 2 hours. Then dust and brush the area, leaving it as good as new. Machine washing is recommended whenever possible.
9 – Nuclear white
This product, sold mainly in drugstores, is highly effective on mildew stains. For best results, use Nuclear white according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, before washing.
10 – Borax
Another secret weapon for removing mildew stains from clothes: Borax (or boric acid). This product is diluted in a large quantity of water, and soaked for an hour before washing in the washing machine to remove all fungi.
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Stain removers for specific stains
Sometimes, homemade stain removers aren’t effective enough for certain stains. And sometimes, you just don’t have the time or the products to make them. In such cases, it’s worth turning to ready-to-use stain removers. Here are the products we recommend.
On linge-net.com, you’ll find a whole range of stain removers for your clothes and professional outfits. Some stains, like blood if you’re a butcher or in the medical field, are not easy to remove.
That’s why the manufacturer has tailored its stain removers to the most common types of soiling, such as perspiration, wine, ink, oil, grass, red fruit, rust…
Depending on your needs, all you have to do is place your order. You can also find accessories such as stain removal brushes or spatulas to suit the fabric you have to clean, so as to damage it as little as possible. After all, you won’t scrub a silky fabric the same way you would a cotton fabric or a linen garment.
For further information, you can go directly to the website and contact customer service.
General stain removal tips
To remove mildew stains from clothing, follow these general tips. First of all, always check the maximum washing temperature allowed for each type of fabric to avoid damaging them. Next, wash clothes in hot water with a mild detergent to effectively remove mildew. It’s also crucial to dry garments promptly after washing to prevent the formation of new mildew. Finally, clean closets and cupboards regularly to prevent the reappearance of mold, and make sure these spaces are well ventilated.
Bottom line:
With these 10 effective tips, you can be sure that no mold stain will be able to survive on your laundry, and that they’ll help you get the job done quickly and economically!
Before closing this topic, it’s worth noting that several other grandmotherly tricks can also help remove mildew stains from fabric or linen. These include toothpaste, talcum powder, shaving foam, which you already have in your bathroom, or talcum powder, glycerine and whole milk. All these products can help you to combat mildew stains on fabrics and clothing, while removing the unpleasant odours caused by mildew.
