With humidity, lack of aeration and ventilation, mold forms. And whether you are prone to allergic reactions or not, it is not very good for the respiratory tract. In addition, mold can sometimes appear on clothing, textiles and mattresses. And these moldy stains and the bad odors that accompany them can be tough. How to clean moldy stains, treat smelly clothing without damaging it and prevent fabrics from becoming moldy? Grandma gives you all her explanations and some natural tips against mushrooms to avoid respiratory problems… and many headaches!
Understanding the origin of musty odor and stains
If the smell is found everywhere on washed laundry, it could come from the washing machine. Maybe it’s time to clean the drum and maintain the filter, tank and seals? Thoroughly cleaning the washing machine will combat unpleasant odors. Also remember to use less detergent and softener if you use a lot: it clogs the machine! Additionally, leave the door and detergent drawer open to let them dry. And of course after washing, let the laundry dry completely. Folding it up and putting it away if it’s still a little damp will definitely leave some odors behind. Drying in direct sunlight would be ideal to prevent mold.
Also pay attention to the storage location: damp and poorly ventilated places (attic, cellar, closed cupboard in a damp room or one prone to water leaks, etc.) can leave a musty smell on the linen. Regularly clean the cupboard or dressing room with vinegar after emptying them can help. As for the basement, do not put the clothes in a cardboard box which will absorb bad damp odors such as musty odors. Invest in vacuum storage covers for clothes that you are not going to use for a long time.
How to remove mold stains from clothes?
Often, Marseille soap or a water-bicarbonate paste is enough to remove mold stains, especially in the case of recent stains. For stubborn mold stains, there are other techniques without bleach or ammonia :
White vinegar obviously!
To remove light mold stains from clothing, soak the stained area in water mixed with white vinegar. For more difficult stains, rub directly on pure vinegar. If necessary, add fresh lemon juice to make your anti-mold stain remover more effective. Last tip: remove laundry using baking soda and vinegar mechanically. This will work very well on a recent, lightly encrusted stain. Simply sprinkle the bicarbonate, leave for a few minutes then scrub with an old toothbrush. Then, rinse with vinegar water before washing.
Mix salt and lemon
The mixture of lemon juice and salt (table salt or coarse salt) is known to remove rust stains. However, it generally works to remove very difficult stains, moldy stains in particular! Just mix them into a thick paste. Then scrub the mold-infested areas and leave for a few minutes. Scrub again then rinse. If the stain is still there, repeat the same steps until it is completely gone.
Remove mold stains from white
Here again no need for bleach which can damage the fibers of the linen and pollute the planet. Replace it withhydrogen peroxide diluted to 3% or 10 volumes. Simply spray on the stain, leave to work and scrub before machine washing. You can also apply it directly with a soaked cloth to rub the stain. This will prevent the mold from coloring the fabric by leaving a yellow halo.
Note that hydrogen peroxide can also be used on colored clothing. Test in an inconspicuous corner first to make sure there is no discoloration.
Removing mold stains from leather
On a handbag, shoes or leather jacket, sprinkle talcum powder on the damaged area. Then, leave it to act overnight before vacuuming up the talcum powder. If necessary, then apply a little glycerin soap for leather to complete the cleaning.
And finally, for stains on very fragile moldy or synthetic clothing?
Vinegar or lemon juice are not necessarily very suitable! In this case, the best solution is to warm milk. Then let the delicate garment soak in the milk for at least an hour. Then rinse well. If that’s not enough, start again and then machine wash normally.
How to get rid of mold smell?
The best solution here is to eliminate the odor-causing fungi. To do this, a hot wash (at a temperature of 60°C or more) is the most effective technique. This will help disinfect the laundry. A vinegar water bath or spraying vinegar directly can also help before doing a cooler wash for laundry that cannot withstand high temperatures.