How to remove mold from fabrics?

The reason for the appearance of mold on the fabric is not always clear - it seems that I washed everything, put it in a clean closet, and after some time, black spots are discovered with surprise. The existence of this fungus does not at all depend on the quality of your powder; improper storage is to blame. The mold problem must be solved very quickly, otherwise the destruction of the material will continue, and the clothes will no longer be salvageable. Regular washing is not enough here - you will have to apply additional chemical treatment.

Very often, the fabric becomes a victim of mold - a fungus that destroys its fibers. Neither closets nor cleanliness help - both synthetic and natural things made from any materials deteriorate. Mold can be any color from black to white. Its foci of the disease emit an unpleasant odor, change the appearance of the product, destroy the material and even negatively affect human health. Mold spreads very quickly, so if you don't sound the alarm in time, you can miss a significant part of your wardrobe. However, with surgical intervention, the solution to the problem is possible, and the affected things can still be restored with some effort.

Mold loves moisture, lack of ventilation and warmth, therefore, this fungus often occurs due to improper use of the fabric, which led to the fact that it was wet and in a warm space. For example, you put things in a closet without completely drying them, or you store them in a bathroom with a high level of humidity.

In addition, the following factors can be distinguished:

• high humidity indoors;
• in the cold season, the room had a low temperature for a long time;
• there is no regular cleaning and ventilation;
• there are already pockets of mold in the house: cabinets and other furniture, ceiling or walls.

As a rule, it is black mold is the most common and most dangerous. It has a very powerful effect on the human body, causing sleep problems, headaches and dizziness, allergies and respiratory diseases.

When deciding to get rid of mold at home, the first step is to determine the cause of it. Get all the things out of the closet, ventilate them, sort them out, then move them away, inspect and wipe the furniture. Having identified what the problem is, and having eliminated it, proceed to salvaging already infected things.

Household goods stores sell special products for removing mold. But if you do not have extra time, or the problem needs to be solved immediately, turn to the tricks of housewives and the experience of the previous generation. In general, the stain removal scheme is universal:

1. apply the selected product;
2. wait for it to dry;
3. wash thoroughly in hot water;
4. rinse and dry.

But do not forget that first you should shake off the existing mold with your hands or with a brush, and this should not be done at home, but on the street. Otherwise, you will contribute to the spread of the fungus inside the house. Shake on both sides and as best as possible.

You can try to remove stains on plain fabrics with baking soda, peroxide, ammonia, vinegar essence, or laundry soap. Also, ascorbic acid, dissolved in medical alcohol or vodka, is considered a universal remedy. Treat the fabric of your choice, leave it on for a while, and then, with a brush, wash the product in the usual way.

However, if your clothes have patterns, embroidery or some other decorative elements, then the issue should be solved more carefully, because a strong agent may damage the material. Therefore, first, always wipe the small fragment from the inside, and if there is no side reaction, then treat the already visible dirt.

For example, the method for removing mold from a jacket using ammonia should be as follows:

• dilute ammonia with water in a ratio of 1 to 1;
• moisten a small piece of gauze, cotton wool or sponge in the solution;
• treat the stain;
• wash in warm water and powder.

If your jacket is made of raincoat fabric, then do not forget about the following rules:

• processing should take place at a temperature of 30-35 degrees;
• remove stubborn stains with borax and lemon juice. Dissolve borax in hot water, and soak things in the solution.

It is better to handle children's things with the most harmless, folk remedies - that is, lemon juice, acetic acid and salt. For example, moisten with lemon juice, wait 5 minutes, and sprinkle with salt. After treating the stains, try to place the clothes somewhere in a sunny place until they dry completely - ultraviolet light kills mold spores and, in addition, creates a whitening effect.

Silk and wool are very delicate fabrics and therefore require special care. To remove mold, use baby powder turpentine, white clay, or chalk. If you chose the first option, then, after applying liquid and powder, cover with absorbent paper on top and iron with an iron. Do the same with white clay and crushed chalk.

Velvet or faux fur should not be washed. Dry the material with a dry brush in the direction of the pile, then send it to a professional dry cleaner. Wipe leather clothes and shoes with a cloth soaked in a solution of alcohol and water in a 1 to 1 ratio.

If your bedding is white, then you can safely apply strong remedies without fear of burnout:

1. To remove mold from it, first spray the stain with hydrogen peroxide and wait half an hour. Then you can machine wash your sheets and pillowcases for a perfect result.
2. If you are unable to clean the mold with peroxide, use onion juice. Cut a couple of onions, grind them, squeeze out the juice and treat the stain with the resulting solution.
3. There is also an option when gruel from a vegetable ground in a blender is applied to the fabric. Wait about forty minutes, and then also send the laundry to the washing machine with detergent.
4. In addition, whites can be boiled for perfect cleanliness. In addition, mold does not tolerate high temperatures.

For cotton bedding, there are several other ways to get rid of mold:

1. With the help of whey, in which you need to soak your laundry for 12 hours or even overnight, and then wash it traditionally.
2. Old dirt is often removed with sodium hyposulfite solution. The ratio is 1 glass of water and 1 teaspoon of the drug.
3. Many housewives use "Whiteness" for white pillowcases and sheets. The fabric must be soaked in the solution for 24 hours. The ratio is 100 milliliters of "Whiteness" per basin of water. After that, the fabrics are placed in the washing machine with ordinary powder.

If an unused stroller has been lying in a corridor or a damp garage for a long time, then traces of black mold are often found on it, which cannot be wiped off with peroxide or laundry soap. However, you can try your luck with a strong household bleach like Domestos. It will remove the stain without ruining the fabric. Water the contaminated areas, leave for half an hour, and then try to remove the remaining dirt with a brush and warm water. Leave the stroller outdoors for a couple of days to help fade chemical odors.

If the stain is small, proceed as follows:

• moisten the area with vinegar, "Whiteness" or a solution of ammonia and water;
• after a few hours, wipe it with a stiff brush, if necessary, moisten the cloth again;
• wipe the fabric dry;
• keep the stroller in a dry place from now on. Keep in mind that mold is not afraid of the cold, which means, despite the winter, you cannot leave the item in a room with high humidity.

Removable parts can be boiled for two hours, or soaked in a solution of antifungal agent and water. If the damaged fabric is rough and dark in color, try removing the stains with potassium permanganate. Strain the solution from undissolved elements and then follow the usual algorithm.

To remove mold from linen tablecloths, it is commonly used simple laundry soap:

• A piece weighing 50 grams is crushed with thin shavings;
• Then it pours out into a container with warm water, in which the washing powder has already been diluted;
• You rub the stain with laundry soap and then put the tablecloth in the solution for 20-30 minutes;
• After washing and rinsing, it is recommended to bleach the fabric - place it in water in which hydrogen peroxide is dissolved for 15 minutes;
• The ratio is as follows: 1 liter of water - 1 spoon of peroxide.

If your tablecloth is colored, then either crushed chalk or an ammonia-saline solution is used. In the first case, you cover the dirt with powder, then cover everything with napkins and iron it with an iron. In the second, lubricate the damaged area with a solution (1 liter of water - 40 grams of salt, 5 milliliters of ammonia), and then wash and rinse.

To further prevent the appearance of mold, take into service the following rules:

• Always dry your clothes, tablecloths, and duvet covers thoroughly before storing them in the closet.
• At least once every six months, clean the closet: wipe everything thoroughly with a damp cloth, and then leave it to ventilate. It is also recommended to wipe the walls from the inside with hydrogen peroxide, and from the outside with a salt solution.
• Dry your clothes outside if possible.
• Control the humidity level in the apartment and especially in the bathroom. Try to lower it.
• Ventilate more often. If it is not possible to open a window or window, turn on the fan.
• Use desiccant bags in wardrobes - place them between layers of clean linen.
• If mold is found on the walls and ceiling, then immediately remove old wallpaper, plaster and other materials and disinfect the surfaces.
• Don't forget about spring cleaning.
• Take care that the wardrobe is not pushed too far against the walls - thanks to the small opening, you will create the necessary air movement.
• Try not to dry things in the bathroom.
• Never store dirty items with clean items.
• Hang your clothes on a hanger if possible.
• When the season for wearing clothes is over, they need to be washed, dried thoroughly and only then put into the closet.
• Ironing the garment before storing it can kill mold spores.

Ventilate cabinets often. If you have stained your clothes with something wet, for example, you have splashed mud on your jacket, then first wait for it to dry, and then put it in the laundry basket. It is recommended to do the same with your pool clothes: first you dry your swimsuit and towel, and then you send it to the wash.

For more information on how to get rid of mold from fabric, see the next video.