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Erin
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| Posted: July 02 2010 at 3:07am | IP Logged
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Does anyone have any great remedies on how to remove mildew/mould from clothes?
My children have a number of mildew stains on their dress up clothes (they have left them out in the rain a couple of times  ) and I'd love to make them, look like new.
I've being doing some google searches and coming up with solutions such as add a cup of vinegar to the washing load or add salt and let sit. I'd love to hear opinions, solutions 
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Erin
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Trinity
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I don't know, but will be watching this thread for ideas. I have some reusable snack bags and one got a bit wet and sat for a few days in the heat...oh dear. : (
I'm going to try a long soak in oxiclean to see if that gets the stains out. I often use it for cloth diapers and mama cloth and it works great.
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SeaStar
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I have let clothes soak in oxiclean for up to two weeks to get stubborn stains out. I have also read about people soaking items in a very, very dilute bleach solution for several days. There is always the risk with bleach that the whole item might be ruined. If you have nothing to lose, you could try it.
I haven't had very good luck with just adding vinegar to the wash. I have heard about, but haven't tried, applying lemon juice and letting the item sit in the sun.
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hylabrook1
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After the soaking and washing, setting things out in the sunshine should help.
Peace,
Nancy
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Erin
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I have tried bleach in the past with okay results. Have also used lemon juice on prams with some improvement. Was hoping for a miracle product
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CrunchyMom
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I have a friend who swears by Fels Naptha soap for all kinds of clothing stains. I keep meaning to try it, I'm just a terrible laundress. However, I'm not sure if you can get it in down under.
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Christine
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White vinegar usually works if the item has not already gone through the drier. I pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and then spray it on the item.
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leanne maree
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| Posted: July 03 2010 at 6:53am | IP Logged
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What about Napisan... make it a little stronger than normal
leanne
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JaysFamily
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I once removed a black mold/mildew stain from a light khaki skirt by spraying vinegar on the stain and letting it soak, then wash and repeat. Then, I let it air dry and sprayed vinegar on the stain once more and set the skirt out in the sun to dry. The stain was completely gone. It worked on the skirt, but I've not had as much success with that method on a white cotton rug that was forgotten after it was soaked. 
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OxiClean did not work at all for me for mold. I had good luck on some colored items using powdered Tide with Bleach. I used a lot and soaked for a long time. I love the vinegar idea.
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leanne maree
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What about bi carb soda mixed to a paste and placed on the mildew spots. Let it dry, wash and repeat if necessary. my dd22 reminded me of this over our last summer.
Leanne
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Nina
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Have you tried Borax? I use Borax with very hot water. I buy it at Walmart or Target.
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amy_payson
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I'm not sure about actual mildew spots (haven't really had to deal with that) but I have had the issue of towels smelling like mildew. I solved this problem when I switched to cloth diapers and learned how to wash them properly. I just started washing my towels the same way and haven't had to deal w/that smell since.
I learned the mildew smell is caused by a buildup of fabric softener. Vinegar and baking soda are your best friends of stripping this buildup, killing bacteria and fungi and germs, as well as returning clothes to natural "for real" clean smell.
Fill fabric softener dispenser with vinegar, put in a 1/2 cup (or 2 if severally smelly or bad) of baking soda right on top of clothes/towels when you put in the laundry soap. Wash on hot cycle.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Amy Payson
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sewcrazy
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Baking soda, vinegar and tea tree oil in hot water works well.
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Belle
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| Posted: July 30 2010 at 12:49am | IP Logged
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Erin, did you ever get the stains out?
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Erin
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Belle
I ended up soaking them in double strength Napi-San and hanging them in the sunlight. It didn't remove it but it did lessen it.
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Belle
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Well, lightening it is a start I suppose! 
So, Napi-san only a little effective....
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Removing Mildew from Clothes
