Ways to Get Rid of Mildew Stains on Clothes – If you’ve ever had to deal with mildew stains on clothes, you know how incredibly frustrating and gross it can be. Mildew stains are stubborn things that often refuse to come out of fabric, leaving us with clothes that look faded or even moldy!
However, there are ways to eliminate mildew stains on clothes, meaning those items will be wearable again in no time! Below, we’ll go over ways to get rid of mildew stains on clothes using various methods that don’t include harsh chemicals or professional laundry cleaning services.
Getting Rid of Mildew Stains on Clothes
1. Super Cleaning Method
This method for getting rid of mildew stains on clothes involves hand washing the garment. First, soak the item in cold water to loosen any mildew that has built up in the fabric. Next, wash the clothing thoroughly using a very mild soap and warm water.
Make sure to gently rub the soapy water into the stain instead of scrubbing it. This will prevent you from damaging fabric beyond repair!
After washing, rinse out the clothing thoroughly and let it air dry completely before wearing it again. If you don’t want to hand wash your clothes, check out these laundry detergents that remove tough stains.
2. Dry Cleaning Method
If you don’t want to bother with hand washing, you can always take your clothes to a dry cleaner. However, be sure to choose a dry cleaner that uses eco-friendly or natural cleaning products. This will keep your clothes free of harsh chemicals and protect the environment at the same time!
When taking your items in, specify that you would like them cleaned because they have mildew stains and then ask how much it would cost. You can also request to see a sample of the spot remover they plan on using, so you know it’s not going to damage your clothing.
Once your item comes back to you, hand washes any items you used the dry cleaner on, and then wash the clothes you were initially going to clean at home. If you want to go a step further, use a natural stain remover, which is also great for getting out stubborn stains.
3. Baking Soda Method
Baking soda can be used along with detergent to clean mildew stains on clothes. First, grab a box of baking soda and pour it into your washing machine with cold water.
Next, add your regular detergent and start the machine. Follow the directions of the machine, and then rinse out your item in hot water to get rid of excess chemicals. Repeat this process for at least three washes to completely remove the stain.
4. Vinegar Method
If you have fabric softener sheets lying around, you can use these to clean mildew stains on clothes. First, grab a sheet of fabric softener and rub it into the stain with your fingers or a cloth.
Next, mix 1 cup of vinegar with 2 cups of water and gently pour this onto the spot. Let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing out your item with cold water and allowing it to dry completely before wearing it again.
5. Lemon Method
Lemons are great for cleaning natural discoloration from fabric that has occurred over time, like mildew stains. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze out any juice onto the stain.
Next, rub the juice into the area with your fingers or cloth until it is no longer white. Rinse out the item in cold water to get rid of excess juices and let it air dry completely before wearing it again!
You can use lemon juice on fabrics that you already have bleach spots on to remove them, giving your clothes a brand new look.
6. Salt Method
Salt is another great natural solution for getting rid of mildew stains on clothes because it can help to remove stubborn stains that are difficult to get out normally. First, mix a little salt with a few tablespoons of water and rub it into the stain.
Next, take this mixture and apply it directly to the affected area. Let this sit for several hours until the stain is no longer visible before rinsing the garment in hot water with detergent and allowing it to dry completely before wearing again!
If you don’t have sodium chloride (commonly known as salt) on hand, you can easily substitute other types of natural cleaners like baking soda or vinegar as mentioned above.
7. Vinegar Method for Mildew Stains
This method for removing mildew stains on clothes is similar to the one mentioned above in that it involves using vinegar. However, you can use it instead of lemon because vinegar is a natural product that is made from grapes and it can be easier to find depending on where you live!
First, squeeze out some lemon juice onto the stain. Next, mix a cup of white vinegar with ¼ cup of water to form a paste.
Apply this mixture directly onto the affected area and allow it to sit for several hours until the stain is no longer visible before rinsing your item in hot water with detergent and allowing it to air dry completely before wearing again.
8. Hydrogen Peroxide Method
Hydrogen peroxide is another natural cleaning product that can be used to get rid of mildew stains on clothes. First, make a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water and rub this onto the stained fabric.
Allow it to sit for at least an hour before rinsing out the item in hot water and drying it completely before wearing it again. When you use hydrogen peroxide, be aware that it may bleach the fabric slightly, so you should use a natural detergent.
Alternatively, you could bleach your item with a more harsh chemical like bleach just enough to get rid of some of the stains.
9. Salt Method for Mildew Stains
You can also use salt to clean mildew stains on clothes. First, take a paper towel and rub a small amount of salt onto the affected area to grab loose dirt and sweat.
Next, use a brush to work it into the area and then rub it thoroughly to get rid of stains. Once you are done, wash your clothes with Woolite or Ecos and then allow them to dry completely before wearing them again.
Conclusion
There are quite a few ways you can clean mildew stains from your clothing. Some are more effective than others, depending on the types of stains and how you were going to clean them, but you should be able to find something that works for your specific situation.