How to Get Mold Out of Clothes: Effective Ways to Remove Mold Stains and Odors

You open your closet looking for your favorite shirt and find tiny black spots. Or worse, the shirt smells like it has spent the week in a damp basement. 

Mold on clothes is unpleasant, but it does not automatically mean your garment belongs in the trash. 

With the right treatment, many mold-affected clothes can be cleaned and used again. The trick is to deal with the mold properly instead of simply throwing the garment into the washing machine and hoping for the best.

Why does mold grow on clothes?

Mold needs moisture and limited airflow to grow and clothes provide an easy surface when they remain damp for too long. 

Some common reasons include:

• Leaving wet clothes in the washing machine for several hours.

• Storing laundry before it is completely dry.

• Keeping damp towels in a closed laundry basket.

• Putting sweaty clothes directly into a bag or closed cupboard.

• Storing clothes in a humid closet.

• Poor ventilation in the room where clothes are dried or stored.

• Water leaks or excess moisture near wardrobes and storage areas.

How to identify mold on clothes

Mold is usually easy to spot once you know what to look for. 

Watch out for:

• Musty or sour smell: A strong, damp odor is often the first sign.

• Colored spots: Look for black, green, white, or gray patches.

• Fuzzy growth: Mold may appear as a fuzzy layer on the fabric.

• Texture changes: Affected areas may feel stiff, sticky, or unusually rough.

How to get mold out of clothes

Before washing, separate the affected clothes from your regular laundry. If there is loose, visible mold, gently brush it off outdoors rather than shaking the garment inside your home.

Then check the care label. It will tell you whether the garment can handle hot water, bleach, soaking, or other treatments. 

Then, follow this simple guide on how to wash moldy clothes:

• Pre-treat the garment

Mix white vinegar and water in equal parts then soak the affected area for around 30 minutes. Ensure to test the solution on a hidden section first, especially on colored clothing.

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  Rinse well

Rinse the garment after the pre-treatment.

• Wash normally

Add your regular laundry detergent and wash according to the care label.

• Use the warmest safe setting

If the fabric allows it, using lukewarm water can provide a more thorough wash.

• Inspect before drying

Check whether the spots and smell are still present.

• Repeat if needed

Stubborn mold may need another round of treatment.

• Dry completely

Do not fold or store the garment while it is even slightly damp.

Pro tip: Never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach. The combination can produce dangerous fumes.

What works best for different fabrics?

There is no single mold-removal method that works equally well on every garment. The fabric and color should determine what you use.

Alternative mold removal methods

If regular washing and basic pre-treatment do not work, you can consider this alternative guide on how to remove mildew from clothes: 

• 3% hydrogen peroxide

Apply to the stained area, leave for about 10 minutes, then rinse. Best suited to white or light-colored fabrics.

• Borax

Add about ½ cup of borax to hot water and use it as directed for the wash. Check the fabric care label first.

• Commercial mold removers

Choose products specifically labeled as safe for fabrics and always patch-test them before use.

Pro tip: Never combine different cleaning products.

Getting rid of the musty smell from clothes

If the mold is gone but the smell remains on your clothes, try these steps:

• Pre-treat with vinegar: Soak the clothes in diluted white vinegar before washing.

• Use baking soda: Add some to the wash to help neutralize lingering odors.

• Wash separately: Keep mold-affected clothes away from your regular laundry.

• Do not overload the washer: Clothes need enough space for proper cleaning and rinsing.

• Remove clothes promptly: Take them out as soon as the wash cycle ends.

• Dry completely: Make sure there is no moisture left before storing them.

• Clean the washing machine: Check the rubber seal, detergent drawer, and other damp areas for mold or residue.

• Do not mask the smell: Fabric fragrance may cover the odor temporarily but will not remove its source.

Wondering how to clean mold from clothes without spreading the problem? The most important step is not to mix heavily affected garments with unaffected laundry. Washing them separately also makes it easier to check whether the treatment has actually worked.

Mozi Wash for everyday laundry care

Mozi Wash is a gentle laundry brand made with plant-based enzymes and surfactants. There are multiple products that are suitable for everyday laundry and tougher cleaning needs.

• For regular washing: Use Mozi Wash detergent after pre-treating mold-affected clothes.

• For tough stains: The Deep Clean Booster is designed for set-in stains and heavily soiled clothes.

• For best results: Follow the product instructions and dry clothes completely after washing.

Tips for future prevention that your clothes need

Once you have cleaned the affected garments, prevention is much easier than repeating the process. 

Make these habits part of your laundry routine:

• Take clothes out of the washer promptly.

• Never store damp clothing.

• Spread clothes properly while drying instead of piling them together.

• Keep wardrobes and drawers reasonably ventilated.

• Do not leave sweaty workout clothes inside closed bags.

• Clean your washing machine regularly.

• Avoid overcrowding storage spaces.

• Make sure towels are completely dry before storing them.

• Fix leaks or persistent dampness around storage areas.

Summing up

Moldy clothes are not always a lost cause. Treat visible mold before washing, choose a method that suits the fabric, and check the garment before drying it. Vinegar, oxygen-based stain removers, a gentle detergent like Mozi Wash, and other simple methods can help with different types of mold stains and odors. 

Just as important, dry clothes completely and keep storage spaces ventilated. Good laundry habits can prevent a small mold problem from turning into a recurring one.

FAQs about How to Get Mold Out of Clothes

1. Can mold permanently stain clothes?

Yes. Mold that has been left untreated for a long time can permanently discolor fabric. Removing the mold does not always restore the original appearance, especially when the fibers have already been damaged.

2. Can I use bleach on moldy clothes?

Only if the garment is white, bleach-safe, and the care label permits it. Chlorine bleach can damage colored or delicate fabrics. Never mix bleach with vinegar or other incompatible cleaning products.

3. Should I throw away clothes that smell musty after washing?

Not immediately. Try treating and washing them again, and clean your washing machine if necessary. If the smell persists despite proper cleaning, the garment may have deeper mold contamination.

4. Why do clothes get moldy again after I clean them?

The underlying moisture problem may still be present. Damp storage areas, poor ventilation, wet laundry left in the washer, and humid closets can all cause mold to return even after the clothes have been cleaned.