There’s a—pun intended—laundry list of reasons why moldy clothes should be tended to immediately. Mold can create harmful health difficulties (such as allergy issues, respiratory problems, and skin irritations), with asthmatic individuals and people with compromised immune systems being particularly vulnerable. It can also weaken fabrics over time and, not to mention, make them smell horrible. But can you wash mold out of clothes, or is it best to toss them?

With some expert guidance, it is possible to effectively wash mold out of your clothes using detergent, bleach, and natural products. Here’s how laundry professionals attack this pesky problem and wash mold out of clothes.

How to Wash Mold Out of Clothes

Firstly, always isolate moldy clothes from your regular laundry to avoid spreading spores. For deeply embedded mold, you may need to repeat treatments or dispose of the garment entirely.

To effectively wash mold out of clothes, laundry professional Forrest Webber recommends using hot water where and when it can be tolerated. “Depending on the type of fabric, use hot water to help kill mold spores,” he advises.

Melia Long of Poplin, a nationwide digital laundry service, also relies on the power of the sun to save garments from mold. “Ultraviolet rays help kill mold and bacteria,” she says. 

Materials Needed:

• Enzyme laundry detergent
• Rubber gloves
• Mask
• Soft-bristled scrub brush or an old toothbrush
• Access to sunlight
• Washing machine with hot water cycle
• Borax or oxygen bleach (optional)

Instructions:

1. To begin, use a soft-bristled brush to dust off any visible mold. Be sure to perform this first step outdoors, and wear a mask and disposable rubber gloves for protection throughout the process.
2. Webber recommends choosing a heavy-duty detergent with enzymes to break down stains and odors. Visible mold spots should be pre-treated by applying detergent directly, says Sofia Martinez, CEO of Sparkly Maid Austin. “Gently rub it in and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing.”
3. “For an extra mold-fighting boost, add borax or oxygen bleach,” says Webber.
4. For white clothes, Long recommends mixing one part oxygen bleach with four parts water. “Soak the moldy clothes for about 15 minutes,” she says. “Be sure to check the care label first, as bleach can damage delicate fabrics or colored clothing.”
5. Especially for colored garments, Martinez suggests an oxygen bleach such as OxiClean instead of chlorine bleach to prevent color damage.
6. Add detergent to the machine and launder. Choose as hot a cycle as the fabric can tolerate. “To ensure thorough cleaning, run a long wash cycle,” adds Webber.
7. You’ll want to check items before drying, says Martinez. “Heat from the dryer can set remaining mold stains,” she says. “If necessary, repeat the wash.”
8. Webber recommends drying clothes in direct sunlight when possible. “It can naturally kill mold,” he says.
9. Check that items are completely free of mold before storing them.

How to Wash Mold Out of Clothes Using Household Ingredients

In lieu of bleach and commercial detergents, you can try the following solutions for cleaning your clothes of mold.

Distilled Vinegar

Add one cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle to kill mold and remove odors, says Webber. Long recommends soaking the clothes in the machine first for maximum effect.

Baking Soda

Sprinkle it directly on the moldy area before washing to help eliminate the mold and odor, says Long. For stubborn spots, Martinez recommends creating a paste with baking soda and water. “Apply to the mold, let dry, then brush off before washing normally,” she says.

Tea Tree Oil

Add 10 to 15 drops of tea tree oil to a gallon of water and soak clothes for an hour before washing them, suggests Webber.

You might also consider adding a few drops of tea tree oil to your final rinse as a natural mold inhibitor, Martinez adds.

Hydrogen Peroxide

For white fabrics only, Martinez recommends applying directly to stains, letting it bubble, then rinsing and washing.

Borax

Dissolve half a cup of borax in warm water before adding it to wash, says Webber.

How to Prevent Mold from Appearing on Clothes

Moisture is usually the root cause of mold, so keep your laundry area dry and well-ventilated. If moisture is a problem in your closets or laundry room, Martinez recommends dehumidifiers to help with a humid environment. “You can also consider moisture-absorbing products like silica gel packets in closets,” she says. 

“Avoid leaving wet clothes in the washer for too long,” Long adds. “And make sure to dry your clothes thoroughly, especially if they’re damp from rain or sweat.” Never put damp clothes in hampers or closets.