There’s nothing worse than going through your wardrobe and finding mould on your favourite clothes or shoes. While your first instinct might be to throw them out, learning how to remove mould from clothes and shoes can save you money on replacing them – and is often a relatively simple process.
Finding mould in your clothing is a common problem that many Aussies face. Due to the humid conditions, including wet winters and rainy seasons, the nasty spores do pop up frequently in Australian homes. But there are ways to prevent it from happening, and there are also great mould removal products and methods to use.
4 methods to remove mould from clothing at home
1. Vinegar and baking soda
White vinegar is great for removing mould and is even a method suggested by the NSW state government when it comes to treating mould at home. Baking soda or bicarb soda is also a great cleaner and has plenty of great uses in your laundry, so a mixture of vinegar and baking soda is quite effective at killing mould and works as a great stain remover too.
How to remove mould from clothes with vinegar and baking soda
- Mix 2 parts baking soda to 1 part white vinegar and add this to a bucket of hot water.
- Soak the clothes in this mixture for at least an hour.
- Use a scrubbing tool or old toothbrush to scrub at the mouldy areas, then wash your clothes in the washing machine as usual
Note: Do not mix vinegar and bleach as this combination can release a dangerous gas. Also to prevent damaging any clothing, ideally you should do a spot test in an inconspicuous place first in case the mixture causes any discolouration.
2. Hot water
If it’s mildew rather than mould on the fabric, one of the simplest ways to remove it is to wash the fabric in hot water.
How to use hot water to remove mildew
- Before washing anything, check the care labels first to see if a hot wash is suitable.
- Set the water temperature on your washing machine as high as you can, roughly around 60°c for at least 10 to 30 minutes.
- Check for staining once the wash cycle is finished. Although a hot wash will kill the mould and mildew, it won’t remove the stains or prevent the mould returning. And stains are harder to remove once fabric is dry.
3. Bleach
Bleach is known as an effective mould killer and stain remover for fabric. But as it tends to cause clothes to discolour or fade quickly, a spot test is recommended. It always pays to check the care label too.
How to use bleach to remove mould from clothes
- Mix 1-part bleach with 3-parts water in your laundry sink or a tub.
- Add clothes and soak for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Check clothes for stains and scrub as needed, then adding them to a regular wash.
4. Borax
Borax not only kills mould, but is water soluble, making it an easy addition to a load of washing. Check your garments’ care labels, especially on any delicate clothing items to make sure they won’t be damaged. It’s also best to do a small spot test first before adding to the whole wash.
Tips to prevent your clothes from getting mouldy
- Make sure your wardrobe has some airflow and isn’t overfilled.
- Consider using a dehumidifier in your room during periods of particularly wet weather.
- Don’t leave damp clothes and laundry at the bottom of washing machines or the laundry basket.
- When you do a load of laundry hang it out as soon as possible to dry in the sun.
How to remove mould from shoes
Leather shoes
As leather typically is not a breathable fabric, it is common for people’s feet to sweat in these shoes. The combination of moisture, heat from their feet and darkness are the ideal conditions for mould growth.
Use a cloth or nylon brush to lightly brush any mould from the shoe. If your shoes are made of suede, nubuck or patent and there is mould you can’t remove gently, consider going to a leather or shoe specialist as these types of leather can be easily damaged.
For other leather, you could also consider buying a leather cleaning product or specialised mould removal product. Just remember to do a spot test first.
Other shoes
Create a mix that is one part water and one part alcohol. Wipe this mixture onto the shoes with a soft cloth or paper towel.
Ensure that shoes are thoroughly dry after wearing outside to prevent future growth from developing. You may even consider purchasing a few silica gel packets to place in the shoes when you are not wearing them.
