Will black mold come out of fabric?

Author: Prof. Kaylah Barton DVM  |  Last update: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

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.

Can black mold be washed out of fabric?

To get rid of black mold on clothes, spray the stain with a vinegar and water mix, fill up the washing machine, add several cups of vinegar, and let the clothes soak in the washing machine. Run moldy clothes through the washing machine as normal after treating them with instructions from a professional cleaner in this.

Should I throw away clothes with black mold?

Mold doesn't 'contaminate' clothes, and if clothes do get moldy for whatever reason, throwing it in the wash is how that's fixed. Mold is a physical particulate that gets rinised off in water, and exhausted out in the drier. A regular wash cycle is perfectly fine.

What kills black mold on fabric?

To remove mould from clothes, apply a mould stain remover, such as bleach, vinegar, baking soda, borax or detergent and use an old toothbrush to brush off the surface mould. Take care to not damage the fabric during this process.

Can black mold stains be removed?

Removing black mold stains requires scrubbing away the appearance of mold, spraying the area with bleach water and using vinegar or alcohol if necessary. Get rid of black mold with help from a professional house cleaner in this free video on cleaning mold stains.

How to GET MOLD OUT OF CLOTHES | mold stains removal

Will black mold just wipe off?

Unfortunately, wiping alone isn't enough.

This means it can quickly regrow if the damp, warm conditions remain. To banish black mould for good, you need to combine cleaning with solving the root issue – usually excess moisture.

Is mold a permanent stain?

Is Mold on Clothes Permanent? Not all mold stains on clothing are irreversible. Mold can be removed from clothing with the right treatment if it is detected early. It may not be feasible to salvage the garment, though, if the mold was allowed to grow for a long time.

Is it safe to clean black mold yourself?

Thus, exposure to the toxicity of black mold can cause harm to our physical health. Cleaning it yourself risks a greatly increased chance of acquiring damaging health conditions by unsettling the toxins into the air. Depending on the frequency of mold exposure, an individual's health can be severely compromised.

Can you get mold mildew out of fabric?

Apply detergent to stain and launder. If stain remains, soak for 10 to 15 minutes in a solution of 1/4 cup chlorine bleach (if safe for fabric) or sodium perborate bleach and 3/4 cup water. An alternative to bleach is to treat with salt and lemon juice and dry in direct sunlight. Rinse.

How long do mold spores live on clothes?

Mold spores on clothes usually live for a day or two. But, they'll keep multiplying and form a colony that keeps growing if the conditions are right in your home.

Can black mold on clothes make you sick?

If you have mold allergies, black mold can make you sick. Black mold produces spores, which can enter the air. Molds also produce microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs), which create an unpleasant “moldy” or musty smell. If you have allergies, you can have allergy symptoms from the spores or mVOCs.

Can clothes be saved after mold?

Clothing and Fabrics

If you catch mold early and it's just a light patch, many clothes can be cleaned and saved. To clean washable items, pretreat them with non-ammonia detergent, and then wash them at the highest temperature with detergent and the appropriate bleach.

How do you get black mold spores out of clothes?

Mix oxygen-based bleach and warm water following the package directions. Completely submerge the stained clothes and allow them to soak for at least eight hours or overnight. If the stains are gone, wash as usual. If stains remain, mix a fresh solution and repeat.

What are the 10 warning signs of mold toxicity?

Although symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms seen in people exposed to mold indoors include:
  • Nasal and sinus congestion.
  • Eye irritation, such as itchy, red, watery eyes.
  • Wheezing and difficulty breathing.
  • Cough.
  • Throat irritation.
  • Skin irritation, such as a rash.
  • Headache.

How do you get black mold out of fabric without bleach?

Apply distilled white vinegar directly to the mold stain and let it dwell for at least an hour. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

Can black mold be transferred by clothing?

Mold spores are tiny and pervasive, so it's easy for them to travel from one place to another on surfaces, in boxes, or even on clothes. That makes cross-contamination possible after moving, especially if your previous home had a mold problem.

How to get black mould out of fabric?

White Distilled Vinegar – An excellent mould-killer, diluted vinegar can be worked directly into the stain – or you can pre-soak the clothing in a bucket of water mixed with one cup of vinegar. You can also add 1-2 cups of vinegar to your washing machine per cycle to kill any mildew odours and brighten your whites.

What are symptoms of black mold exposure?

If they come into contact with mold, they can experience symptoms such as :
  • a runny or blocked nose.
  • watery, red eyes.
  • a dry cough.
  • skin rashes.
  • a sore throat.
  • sinusitis.
  • wheezing.

What product kills mold on fabric?

White vinegar is suitable for disinfecting and cleaning stubborn mold stains like white mold or green mold. First, spray undiluted white vinegar onto the mold-infected areas. To make a vinegar solution, mix equal parts of water and vinegar. Soak your clothes in the solution for 30 minutes before washing them.

What not to do when removing black mold?

Don't Use Harsh Chemicals

Spraying bleach on surfaces can actually contribute to the spread and growth of mold, especially on porous surfaces. You should never try to clean mold off walls.

Is it safe to stay in a house with black mold?

Despite its name, black mold isn't necessarily highly dangerous to our health. However, we shouldn't keep it in our homes either. This is because everyone has varying tolerance levels to allergens such as mold spores, which is what mold is — an allergen.

What does harmless black mold look like?

Although the name implies a uniform coloring, black mold may appear black, dark green, or dark brown. It typically grows as a cluster of round spots with a distinctly wet, slimy appearance. As stated, black mold typically appears fuzzy or furry.

Can mold be washed out of fabric?

Choose the hottest setting on your washing machine. 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.

Do you have to throw everything away with mold?

Many belongings can be salvaged with proper cleaning

The small porous stuff (such as clothing, stuffed animals, bedding, etc.) can easily be washed. You can use your choice of vinegar, bleach, Borax, tea tree oil, or whatever other cleaning agent.

What is the best mould remover for fabric?

Sunlight has natural disinfectant properties and can help kill mould spores. However, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight as it may cause fading of coloured fabrics. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the affected areas of the fabric generously with the vinegar solution.

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