7 Tips to Clean Mold in Fabrics
1. Start Immediately
Before even fathoming cleaning mildew or mold, determine whether it's possible. If the mold has been sitting there for days, it's probably too late. Mold and mildew removal is something that should be taken care of as soon as possible. The sooner you start, the better chance you have of removing it all.
2. Dress Appropriately
Mold Removal can be dangerous if you do not dress properly. Make sure you provide yourself with goggles, gloves, a facemask, and clothing that covers your arms and legs. This will keep you safe during the cleaning process, and it will seem a lot less gross too.
3. Remove Visible Mold
Begin by removing any visible mold or mildew. This must be done outside, so mold spores aren't released into your home. Have a bag, or multiple bags available to deposit removed mold in to. The mold should just brush off or scrape off easily. Anything that doesn't come off easily can be removed in the cleaning process.
4. Vacuum
After removing mildew as best you can, vacuum up the dust and left over bits as best you can. If possible, do this outside as well. If your vacuum has a bag, dispose of it immediately after doing this. If not, bleach and rinse out the dirt chamber immediately. Otherwise, the mold spores could get released into your home.
5. Dry
Leave the item or items in the sun for a while to dry. This is important to do before laundering because it will clean better when fully dry. If the item can't be taken outside or there is no sun available, go at it with a blow dryer and put some floor fans in front of it. Just get it as dry as possible!
6. Clean it Up
After the textile is fully dry, you can clean it. For mold and mildew you need more than a regular cleaner, because you also need to kill germ spores in addition to just cleaning it off. Using a non-chlorine bleach is usually best for this. Mix 2 tablespoons of bleach with 1 quart of warm water. Let the mixture sit on stain for at least 10 minutes before rinsing off. If necessary, repeat. Be sure not to use this bleach mix on wool, silk, or any other textile the bottle advises against.
7. Test it
After you've done all steps, take a good look at the area and be sure you've got it all out. There should be no dark spots from the previous stain, and no discoloration from the cleaning process. The item should also be without any musty smell. Unfortunately, some items will not be able to clean out fully, and some mold stains are worse than others. Use good judgment as to whether the item is still safe to keep in your home.
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