Ever left your laundry in the washing machine for days? Or folded away some clothing that was still wet? Or perhaps there was an undiscovered leak in the wardrobe that slowly let in the damp…
Unfortunately, any extended exposure to moisture runs the risk of mould growth on your fabric clothes.
and it’s more common than you’d think
1 in 5 homes in the UK have some issue with mould growth. The mould we see on clothes is usually the Aspergillus strain. It looks different to the mould that grows on walls or floors and often looks more like the white mould we see on bread or cheese (although can be greenish-black).
The BAD news is for some of us, mould can lead to congestion, wheezing and itchy eyes or skin. The GOOD news is that it’s not too difficult to remove this microscopic fungus from our clothes and we’ll show you how, in 5 easy steps.
1. don’t panic!
Pop outside and gently brush any loose mould from your item as best you can.
2. here’s the solution!
Soak your garment in four parts cold water with one part white vinegar for 30 mins.
3. into the machine!
Check your clothing care label and select a cycle at the warmest temperature allowed. Use your normal detergent (smol bio capsules are great) along with one cup of bicarbonate of soda into the drum.
4. does the stain remain?
Repeat step 3 if so… otherwise move on to step 5.
5. take it outside!
Mould HATES sunlight, so you’re going to get the best results by air drying your clothes outside.
Having run through these 5 mould management manoeuvres, you’ll want to ensure you don’t fall victim again. Luckily, there are lots of things you can do to ensure your clothes and home remain fungus-free.
never put damp clothing away.
Make sure all items are completely dry before they get hung up or folded away. This will mean the mould has no moisture with which to grow.
use a dehumidifier.
If there are high levels of humidity in your home and regular condensation on your windows there’s a good chance the mould will return. A dehumidifier will remove much of the moisture from the air and can be vital in the fight against the fungus.
don’t overfill your wardrobe.
If your closet is rammed full with clothing it’s very difficult for the air to flow through your wardrobe. This will encourage mould growth if the atmosphere is damp and makes it easier for any existing mould spores to move from one piece of clothing to another. Less is definitely more in this case!
open your windows regularly.
This simple action can really lower the moisture content in a room and fresh air moving through your home is always a good thing.
add vent plates.
If you find mould keeps cropping up in your wardrobe, no matter what you are doing, consider adding a vent plate to the top and bottom of your wardrobe to further encourage ventilation.
Nobody wishes for an outbreak of mould in their wardrobe BUT remember these ways to prevent it in the first place AND our 5 easy mould removal steps and your days (and clothes) should stay fungus-free!
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