Dirty or damp laundry provides nutrients for mold to grow, making it essential to thoroughly clean and dry clothes before storing them. Extended periods without washing or drying clothes increase the chances of mold infestation.
Mildew loves damp places that don't get a lot of airflow, and it's capable of growing on any damp surface within just 24 to 48 hours. It can grow on clothes if you leave wet laundry in the washing machine for too long.
It may not be feasible to save the garment if the mold was allowed to grow for a long time. With the right approach, mold can be removed from clothing. The moldy clothing should be taken outside, cleaned of any visible mold, soaked in vinegar, washed in hot water with a high-efficiency detergent, and dried in the sun.
Leaving Wet Clothes in the Washer Can Cause Bacteria and Mildew to Grow. The biggest downside of leaving your clothes in the washing machine for more than eight to twelve hours is that, after this period, there's a greater chance that bacteria, mold, and mildew will grow.
When clothes remain damp, they create a moist environment that can cause skin irritation, rashes, or even fungal infections such as athlete's foot. Prolonged exposure to wet conditions can disrupt the skin's protective barrier, making it more vulnerable to these irritations.
If damp clothes or bedding have been left in the washing machine or a basket for more than 8-12 hours we recommend giving it another wash. If it's been over 12 hours it's a safe bet that they will need to be re-washed.
To effectively remove mold from your clothes, you can use either Borax or white vinegar in the washing machine for a thorough cleaning. Check the instructions on your laundry detergent and set the washing machine to a hot water cycle as directed.
Visible Mildew Spots
Leaving your clothes unattended for 24 hours is enough to build up mildew and moisture spots on your clothes.
Experts have found that clothes put on drying frames or draped over warm radiators raise moisture levels in our homes by up to 30 per cent, creating ideal breeding conditions for mould spores – and one in particular called aspergillus fumigatus, which can cause potentially fatal lung infections.
One of the most common indicators of possible mold growth on clothes and fabrics is its smell. If you have a mold problem on clothes, they may have strong musty, earthy odour. Visible mold growth on clothes may appear as irregular white, bluish, greenish or greyish to black spots or stains.
Most mold spores will die at temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), so cold and warm water cycles won't work. Add laundry detergent (regular detergent is fine). Add any other disinfectants, like vinegar, bleach or baking soda. Run two complete cycles on hot water.
As you can see, mold does not die when it dries out. Instead, it enters a dormant state and can reactivate once moisture is reintroduced. Therefore, simply drying out mold-infested areas is not enough to eliminate the problem. Mold spores can still pose risks even when they appear inactive.
This is why many toxicologists recommend homeowners treat moldy belongings ASAP. Damaged items should be thrown away without question, and items that are easy to replace or inexpensive (i.e. clothes, food) should be tossed as a precautionary measure. Basically, it's better to be safe than sorry.
After a day or two in warm conditions the clothes will start to mildew and smell funky, but you can still salvage them at that point if you rewash them with fresh detergent and an oxygen bleach. Left for a week in the bag they will reek and be permanently stained.
Wash Them Again
In this case, the mildew hasn't had much chance to grow and, assuming your washing machine is clean, you should be able to get the smell out by running another load in precisely the same way you usually do.
When clothes come out of the washing machine, they are very damp and must be placed in a tumble dryer or outside on a clothesline. By hanging clothes on a clothes horse indoors, you create excess moisture in the home, which can lead to mould.
It is not recommended to sleep in a room with drying clothes because it can affect the air quality in the room. When clothes are drying, they release moisture into the air, which can increase the humidity level and create a damp environment.
Lucinda Ottusch, a home economist spokesperson from the Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science, has said that laundry can be left for up to 12 hours in the household appliance. Over an eight to 12 hour period it is unlikely an unwanted odor will form, and even more unlikely for bacterial mildew to develop.
One of the most prevalent New Year's superstitions is that on January 1 no washing should be done. However, some people go one step further and make it a custom to keep any dirty clothes unwashed from Christmas until New Year's Day.
Hanging damp clothes to dry in the home releases moisture into the air and creates the ideal breeding ground for mould. Despite falling temperatures, people have been warned about the potential dangers of hanging laundry to dry inside due to the risk of mould.
Remedy by CitriSafe Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent fights mold in clothing and bedding! CitriSafe is especially helpful for washing clothes worn during a mold clean-up job, but can be used for all your laundry needs.
Boiling water can kill mold outright (more on this in the next section), but you can't exactly boil your walls or carpet. However, you may be able to kill mold by heating it enough to dry it out. Most molds can be killed at temperatures of 140 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, but the effect isn't immediate.
The best way to store clothes to avoid mold and mildew is by ensuring all items are 100 percent dry before packing up. To be safe, toss in some moisture absorbers, which you can find online or at a local store.